Professional Climbers Tree Service

01/05/2026

Do you know how Professional Tree Climbers grew into the 2000s?

Professional Tree Climbers continued to grow into the 2010s, and in 2013, the business acquired a five-year contract with the city of Sturgis to clear power lines and terrace trees. This contract made great use of the skills Mark Acquired with N. G. Gilbert, before starting his own business. After the contract finished in 2018, the company employed 14 employees. This same year, Professional Tree Climbers supported the Burr Oak Robotics Team.

After the contract with Sturgis ended, the business went back to working in the private sector. The move allowed things to slow down a bit, and the private sector offered “steady and not so nerve-racking jobs.” Since switching back, the company has added a 110-foot bucket truck, a chipper that can handle trees up to 18 inches in diameter, a skid steer with a bucket, and dump trucks. These new machines allowed the company to go down to 5 employees.

Even though running the company has not always been smooth sailing, there have been difficult times finding employees or the right equipment. After many years of hard work, Mark has built a multi-million dollar company. Mark recognizes this accomplishment would not be possible without his crew, who have been with him through many years, and a lot of credit to his father, Neil, for his “undying love, and strong heart, and teaching hands”, which started Mark on the path of creating Professional Tree Climbers, and Mark’s unwavering faith in God. 2024 saw Mark spending more time with his wife and the rest of his family.

This is all for part 2 about the known history of Professional Tree Climbers and the hard work it took to build a successful company. Check back on Wednesday to learn about the United Electric Company and how Burr Oak had electricity before a majority of rural America, told in partnership with The Burr Oak History Project.

Sources
-History of Professional Tree Climbers submitted by Mark
-Burr Oak Robotics Hoodie from 2018
-Picture from the Professional Climbers Tree Service page

01/05/2026

Have you heard how Professional Tree Climbers started in Burr Oak?

Mark P. started the business in 1984, after spending his childhood helping his father, Neil, with his pool cleaning, excavation, and tree-climbing business. Mark says Neil was “a great teacher”, who helped him get into the tree-climbing business.

When Mark started the company, he had a half-ton Dodge pickup with “the sides ready to fall off.” A dump box was added to the back of the truck. Professional Tree Climbers quickly grew, and Mark attributes this early success to the lessons he learned from his father.

In 1985, another truck and trailer were purchased, and a stump grinder was acquired from an auction the same year. Mark met his future wife Cheryl in 1986, and the two married in 1988. Mark describes Cheryl as being a “godsend”.

The company later acquired its first chipper, known as a “Whisper Chipper”, Mark says one reason for the name is “When you threw a limb into it, it went so fast it would always catch you if you didn’t get out of the way in time. If you didn’t get out of the way in time, you would get smacked by ingoing limbs and whisper some bad words, sometimes even yell them”.

The company continued to grow, adding its first bucket truck, followed by more wood chippers and bucket trucks. Mark acquired a new bucket truck in 1993, and the company continued to experience consistent growth.

This wraps up part 1 of 2 about the history of Professional Tree Climbers. Come back on Sunday to read about how the company continued to grow in the 2010s, told in partnership with The Burr Oak History Project.

Sources
-History of Professional Tree Climbers submitted by Mark
-Picture from the Professional Climbers Tree Service page

04/01/2025

🌪️⛈️ Severe Weather Alert – Wednesday Storms

Alright, another round of severe storms could be heading our way tomorrow (Wednesday), and we want to make sure you’re prepared.

A few important things to know:

1. Storms = Crazy Busy in Dispatch.
When the storms hit, our center gets overwhelmed. The phones ring nonstop for hours. We don’t get breaks, and your call may take time to connect. If all our lines are busy, your call may roll to a neighboring jurisdiction — they should transfer you back, but if for any reason you can’t get through to us, please keep trying.

2. Tornado Sirens Are Outdoor Warning Systems.
They are designed to alert people outside. If you’re indoors and don’t hear them, that doesn’t mean there’s no warning. Your best bet for immediate alerts is a NOAA weather radio or a reliable emergency alert app.

3. Who Maintains the Sirens?
Tornado sirens are activated by Central Dispatch, but it is the responsibility of each city, village, or township to maintain them and ensure they are functioning properly.

4. We’re Staffed and Ready.
We’re bringing in extra dispatchers to handle the storm. Please be patient with us as we work through calls — we are here for you.

Weather Outlook:
An Enhanced Risk (Level 3 out of 5) is in effect for our entire area on Wednesday. All severe weather hazards are possible — but damaging winds, flooding, and isolated tornadoes are the main threats.

Stay safe, stay aware, and check on your alert systems tonight

04/01/2025

Our crews are working as quickly and as diligently as possible to help customers clean up from Sunday’s storms. Please take notice of the additional severe weather forecasted for tomorrow, Wednesday (April 2). This may add to our call roster. We will continue to meet the needs of all of customers as fast as possible, but those with trees on homes will be a priority.

𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗼𝗻/𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

- Thunderstorms will be possible all day Wed
- Thunderstorms could become strong to severe Wed afternoon and evening
- All areas could see severe weather, highest probability along and south of I-96
- Damaging winds main threat, with a chance of large hail, and isolated tornadoes

Source: US National Weather Service Grand Rapids Michigan

03/31/2025

‼️NOTICE: Regardless of who you hire to help clean up your storm damage, please make sure to ask them for proof of insurance. Any reputable company will be able to provide it. It is extremely important to have this in order for homeowners to avoid liability for those working on their property. Home and auto insurance companies also require it to cover storm damage like trees on homes, barns, boats, or cars.‼️

03/31/2025

Good morning, St. Joseph County! Our crews are currently prepping and will be on their way shortly. We will be in the Sturgis and Burr Oak area assisting in clean-up. We have of 40 years of experience, decades of experience working with insurance companies, and are licensed & insured! Give us a call at (269)-483-2522!

03/30/2025

Our crews will be out at 7:30 AM tomorrow. We will be working in the Sturgis and Burr Oak area. We have over 40 years of experience and are licensed & insured. We also have decades of experience working with insurance companies. Give us a call at (269) 483-2522! Please be aware those with trees on structures (particularly homes) will take precedence.

07/15/2024

Today is the last day of voting! Make sure you get your votes in for the Best of Michiana!

Vote for the top nominees in each category and be entered to win a gift card!

07/14/2024

You have two more days to get your votes in! Don’t forget to vote daily!

Vote for the top nominees in each category and be entered to win a gift card!

07/09/2024

Just a reminder, you can vote daily! Help us out and make us the Best of Michiana Sturgis again for 2024!

Vote for the top nominees in each category and be entered to win a gift card!

07/03/2024

It’s that time of year again! Go vote for us for the Best of Michigans 2024!

Vote for the top nominees in each category and be entered to win a gift card!

05/13/2024

Anyone missing a dog? Has been running around town.