Garrett is a certified Madison arborist with 13 years of experience within the tree care industry. Born and raised in Madison, he developed his love of the outdoors at a very young age. Whether it is was climbing the old crabapple tree in the backyard, or annual canoe trips to The Boundary Waters, he learned the importance of pursuing deep physical connections to the natural world. The field of arboriculture has allowed him to turn these interests into a career, and he is excited to share his passions and knowledge with customers and coworkers alike. 

Brent is a certified Madison arborist with 18 years of experience in the landscaping and tree care industries. Since high school he has pruned everything from small rose bushes to mature oaks. His favorite shrub/small tree is a serviceberry (great berries and fall color) and his favorite tree by far is the American beech. He and his grandfather used to collect and eat beech nuts in-between farm tasks as a child near Green Bay. These strong lifelong connections to the forest continue today in his more urban life, feeding his need to be outside getting dirty.

Francisco Aldana

I grew up in Santiago, Chile, and moved to Madison in 2012. I studied Agricultural Engineering at DuocUC University in Chile, where I also developed passion for the outdoors, especially rock climbing, ice climbing and mountaineering. Bruce Allison introduced me to arborism, and I have continued learning and enjoying. I started work for Heartwood because of their eco-conscious approach to tree care, trying to meet customer needs while also advocating for trees. Outside work, I spend my time with my wife, Anna, and my dog, exploring new places and learning new languages.

Jason Bartholomew

Jason is a certified arborist with 10 years of tree care industry experience.  He got his start in tree care after the economy fell in 2008 and he needed a new career direction.  As an avid rock climber, Jason was familiar with technical rope rigging and high-angle safety techniques, and quickly found a new avenue for his vertical passions to grow.  His love for tree care has enabled him to be flexible with his family, moving around the country and gaining experience with all types of trees.  From high end homes in Washington, D.C. to preserving Ash trees in Minneapolis, Jason has seen it all.  

Jasper Bartholomew

Lydia Bruning

Many small moments culminated in me starting tree work. The obvious ones: loving the outdoors, climbing trees as a child, feeling at peace in the woods, and the many discoveries that came with studying trees. My husband lovingly makes fun of how often I’ll tell him something I learned, and says “Aren’t trees so cool?!”

After teaching special education for four years, I needed a change. Arboriculture seemed like a big leap, but the right one for me. Heartwood has been an amazing place to learn and grow as an arborist and climber. I am amazingly blessed to not only work outdoors everyday, but also climb trees for a living. It has not only become a career, but also a hobby during my off time.

Tim Kuhn

My interest in trees started as a boy because I loved climbing. As I grew up and became an outdoor enthusiast, I jumped at the opportunity to work with one of my best friends, arborist Brent Valentine. After two years now at Heartwood, Brent and Mark have taught me the importance and many benefits of proper tree maintenance.  As a part time stay at home dad, Heartwood has given me the opportunity for interesting work while maintaining my family life.

Miguel Hernández

I have always enjoyed being outdoors, especially visiting national parks and camping. In 2019 when I had the opportunity to work at Heartwood, I was excited to learn about everything related to arborism.

The Heartwood team welcomed me and have taught me a lot about trees along the way. I am happy to say I learn something new every day.

Kai Heen

In Fall 2014, I was trudging back to the locker room after lifting weights with my college track team when a strange voice behind me grumbled:

"Hey you! I like the way you work out. Do you want a job!?"

The offer came from Dean Schaeffer - total stranger, and enigmatic owner of Local Tree Tech, a small Saint Paul tree company. I worked with Dean for the next 4 years. In that time I made great friends, collected wild memories, and was consistently excited to go to work in the morning. After graduation, I accepted an office job in Madison, where over a period of 18 months I gradually transformed into a miserable, stressed-out shell of myself. I managed to escape that position, and after a brief stint as a poker professional, decided to try and find a way back outside and into the trees.

Trees are special, and tree care is special; the more I learn at Heartwood the more obvious this becomes. Thanks to trees (and the awesome people at Heartwood), I've found myself once again in a place where I'm coming home from work exhilarated, excited for tomorrow.

John Joutras

After internships during my time at UW-Madison in IT, the school newspaper, and various labs I learned that a desk job just wasn't going to work for me. I found my way to UW's Forest Science program and found my place studying forest ecology and learning the names of the native flora, outside and under the trees.

I also discovered a passion for rock climbing at this time, and Wade, a friend of mine from the Hoofers Mountaineering Club introduced me to Heartwood when he gave me Brent's phone number at a bar. Contemplating my plans after graduation, I thought I would hit pause for a few months, thinking to myself: "What could possibly be more fun than getting paid to climb trees?"

Five-plus years later, I still enjoy working outside with good people, and regenerating the urban forest with Heartwood's tree planting program.

Peter Kaseman-Wold

Like many arborists, I didn't plan or prepare for a career working with trees. I did know enough to follow the call the second time Bruce Allison offered me a job, and had the good fortune to have him mentor me. When he sent me up that first sugar maple, he saw a future for me I hadn't considered.

Twenty-some years later, there's still plenty of challenge and so much to learn from collaborating with trees. Where trees are thriving, in good soil and the company of all their familiar companions, chances are it's a good place for people to live, too. After running Goodland Tree Works independently for many years, I’ve joined Heartwood to be part of a bigger team. I’m excited to bring my former Goodland clients into the Heartwood fold.

Kurt Meuzelaar

During my childhood in the Chicago suburbs, I found solitude and peace exploring the forest preserves scattered throughout the area. This love of trees and natural areas has stayed with me ever since.

I learned the ropes of tree care from arboriculture instructor Mike Wendt while attending MATC Mequon. I am lucky to earn a living taking care of trees with a team who is so passionate and dedicated to the task. In my spare time, I still enjoy escaping to the quiet beauty of the forest and spend as much time hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing and skiing as I can.

Adam Rahim

As a native of California, I have always had an attraction to the outdoors. Rock climbing, camping, and sitting around a campfire with friends are just a few of the things that I enjoy. After rock climbing for 10+ years and living in Yosemite National Park for the past two years, I recently transplanted to Madison where I discovered a love for tree care while working for Heartwood Tree Company.

The arborist trade is an opportunity to turn my love of climbing into a profession. I hope to learn all there is to know about tree care, arborist work and urban forestry as a member of the Heartwood team. 

I began my arboriculture journey in 2005, just one year out of high school, and quickly discovered a passion for tree care. Over the years, I dedicated myself to upholding safe practices and highest standards. My ethos lay deeply rooted in tree preservation and finding ecological solutions for the urban landscape. I spent most of the 2010’s working for Goodland Tree Works and became a certified Arborist in 2015, with the help of owner Peter Kaseman-Wold.  

I enjoy volunteering my time and climbing skills towards supporting local neighborhoods, at-risk communities, and area wildlife and wildlife habitat. I participate annually in the Wisconsin Arborist Association day of service, Kids Climbs (including the tear-inducing Dream Night), and the Dane County Humane Society raptor re-nesting program. 

The most rewarding part of tree care for me is our impact on the future of the earth. Whether it be pruning to preserve or planting to produce, urban forestry can make a positive contribution every day of the week. 

Zach Raymond

Born and raised in Baraboo, my love for the outdoors started as young as I can remember. Through hiking, camping, and exploring in the woods, any free time I had was spent outside.

Working outside was always my long-term vision, though in college I found myself on a different path. Graduating from UW Stevens Point in Health Promotion and Wellness studies, I quickly began to realize most of my time was ironically indoors, doing paperwork. I knew I had to change directions and go back to my roots. I found those roots at Heartwood, where I continue to learn everyday about the importance of tree care and how to be more eco-conscious. I look forward to pursuing and expanding my knowledge in arboriculture.

Jason Resch

I came to the tree care industry through a close friend, a third-generation arborist from the southeast WI. In the early 2000s, he invited me to work with their small, family owned company. I was lucky to be a part of that successful business, helping them grow for fifteen years. In that time, I gained an incredible respect for the vertical world. I am very grateful to have traveled the country, meeting other tree climbers from all over the world.

My wife and I moved our family to the Madison area in 2019. Now that my daughters are entering their teenage years, I am able to share my passion of rope access with them. My wife and I love taking them on adventures into Western mountains and Northwoods forests. I am grateful to continue my passions with Heartwood Tree Co. Future focus tree care is incredibly important because after all, “trees are life.”