James Cummings
President/Founder
James has always been fascinated with wood and trees. Even before kindergarten — his mother would say, “he was obsessed with chopping and gathering firewood. When he was 8 years old he would split and stack the wood for all the campsites whenever our family went camping.”
James’ passion for wood-working resulted in working as a cabinet maker, union carpenter, and he even did a two-year apprenticeship in a small planning mill where he learned larger wood working tools — including how to run a sticker, a molder, a shaper, a rip saw, a re-saw, large planner, and time-saver sander.
It was in 1991 where James was led to Oregon to work for Tree Improvement Enterprises (Cottage Grove) collecting cones for reforestation. That summer changed his life forever. James will tell you that coming to Oregon to work with trees was his “life calling.” His urge to run his own tree service surfaced shortly after his arrival to Oregon — and in 1993 he became a licensed and bonded tree service contractor in Oregon.
During the late nineties James started college at the University of Oregon to pursue the path of becoming a lawyer. James has always been intrigued by politics, philosophy and social justice. He loves studying the “great thinkers” from history, like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Jacob Needleman, and “great leaders” like Ernest Shackleton and Vandana Shiva.
James proudly earned the “Ford Scholar” designation and had his undergraduate degree paid for through a scholarship fund that was started by millionaire philanthropist and timber baron Kenneth Ford, founder of Roseburg Lumber Company. James graduated in 2003 with a B.S. in Political Science.
What James learned in college was that the lawyer lifestyle was not for him. He couldn’t imagine himself sitting indoors all day and night, and not interacting with nature on a daily basis. “The biggest thing I learned in college was my desire to grow my tree service,” says James.
Over the years James has carefully grown his tree service from a humble one-man operation in 1993 to a now six-man crew — with the ability to handle any tree job. James’ most recent business development was acquiring Braverman’s Tree Care — which was owned/operated by Paul Braverman, a long-standing, respected expert arborist in Oregon for close to 30 years.
Another aspect of the tree service James enjoys is the mentor/mentee relationships he’s had over the years with several of his employees. James did not have an easy start in life, so he’s thoughtful about helping others who may need a little guidance, and learn about a healthy way of thinking and living. As one of James’ mentees puts it — “James has taught me how to know what’s truly important in life — that it’s not trying to impress my peers, but rather working to better understand myself.”
“As a mentor James has helped me get my life together and has given me amazing opportunities. Without James Cummings I would not be the healthy and sober man I am today. I’ve worked for him and seen how he operates his business and I hope one day I will have a business that runs as respectively and honestly as he runs his.”
– Johnathan, 19 years old
Cody Chapman
Lead Climber/Pruner
Cody has been working in trees for 10 years. He’s known as one of the best pruners in all of Lane County – and he is often requested by name.
Cody’s favorite part of working with trees is seeing the tree after it’s been meticulously pruned. Stepping back and admiring the beauty of the finely pruned tree – much like an artist does after he or she finishes painting their masterpiece!
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Shawn Wallace
Quarter Master
Shawn has been working in trees for 7 years. And he’s the guy that helps get the jobs rolling. Every company needs a “Shawn” on their team.
Shawn’s favorite part of working with trees is when he gets to work the ropes for a tree being surgically removed. This takes a lot of trust, skill and patience. Shawn also enjoys climbing and pruning trees.
Johnathan Helling – Photo coming soon
Crew Leader
Chad Daley – Photo coming soon
Groundman
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