Koala Tree Care has been providing tree services for residential and commercial clients in Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and Northern Monterey Counties since 1982. In addition to planting new trees, pruning and fertilizing existing trees, and removing hazardous trees and stumps, the company offers low-impact, selective harvesting services that are designed to help protect properties during wildfire conditions.
Owner Craig Erickson says much of Koala Tree Care’s success can be attributed to its customer-oriented business practices. “Tree work is something that most people can’t do themselves, so we find a lot of purpose in helping our clients maintain and improve their landscapes. Before we leave a jobsite, we confirm that the contract is complete and the customer is completely satisfied with our work.”
Koala Tree Care takes the time to educate its customers about their trees so they know how to avoid potential issues in the future. “Trees increase property value, clean the air, help stabilize the soil and have other benefits that many people aren’t even aware of,” says Mr. Erickson. “We want our clients to understand that there’s more to their trees than they might think, so it’s important to keep them healthy and vibrant.”
"We prioritize three things on every job: quality, honesty and integrity. First, we make sure we recommend accepted standards of practice so clients aren't paying for low-quality work. Second, we always tell our clients if there are problems with their trees or if certain aspects need to be addressed before moving forward. Finally, we proudly stand behind everything that we do."
After getting your tree trimmed, don’t underestimate the importance of keeping the wood chips.
Some people are surprised when tree care companies ask them if they want to keep the wood chips generated from tree trimming or removal. But according to Craig Erickson, owner of Koala Tree Care in Santa Cruz, you should definitely take them up on the offer. “Wood chips can greatly benefit the properties where the materials are derived from,” he affirms. “Some people buy wood chips that are painted or have the organic materials removed, but that doesn’t help the soil at all. If you leave a tree’s actual wood chips around the area, they’ll absorb back into the soil and help fertilize the tree as it breaks down.”
Mr. Erickson says wood chips also provide a natural barrier that prevents moisture from evaporating from the soil around the trees, which preserves vital water sources during hot weather and drought conditions. For homeowners who are tempted to spread decomposing granite or rock around the bases of their trees instead of wood chip mulch, he asks them to reconsider. “These things might look pretty, but they’re not suitable to go around trees because they stop water from seeping into the ground.”
Instead, Mr. Erickson advises investing in wood chips and biodegradable, permeable mulches that allow water to soak into the ground around the roots and give the soil a chance to breathe. Better yet, find a tree company that offers wood chipping as part of its tree trimming and maintenance packages, and make sure they’ll leave those natural wood chips onsite after the job is complete. “I always recommend keeping your wood chips because they’re an expensive resource,” says Mr. Erickson. “It doesn’t make sense for [tree contractors] to remove chips from a property when they can be used right there.”
Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for tree care companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Koala Tree Care, the best way to keep clients happy is to engage them in their tree projects as much as possible. “Some people look at trees as nuisances that just need to be handled, but we always encourage our customers to get excited about what trees can do for their properties,” says owner Craig Erickson. “They increase property value, clean the air and help stabilize the soil, and we’re here to help our clients maximize all of those benefits.”
Koala Tree Care has been providing tree services for residential and commercial clients in Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and Northern Monterey Counties since 2000. The company has the training and equipment to handle everything from tree planting and pruning to hazardous tree and stump removals, and it also offers a variety of low-impact harvesting services that are designed to protect properties during wildfire conditions.
Unlike tree service companies whose owners delegate project management responsibilities to less experienced employees, Koala Tree Care provides every job with the hands on-expertise of Mr. Erickson himself. “I’ve been a certified arborist for most of my career, so I’m able to elevate our services,” he explains. “With tree work, you’re paying for skill, time and expertise, and an arborist offers all of that. Ultimately, I want to utilize my experience to make our clients’ trees healthier and more beautiful for years to come.”
Koala Tree Care further differentiates itself by offering tree education and resources to both clients and the general public. “Tree care isn’t black and white—there’s a lot of complexity to it, from species differentiation to soil types,” says Mr. Erickson. “That’s why we take the time to educate our clients about things like local tree diseases and how trees deal with drought. They really appreciate having access to this information because they can plan for future maintenance and learn how to avoid certain issues in the first place.”
