About Us
We are a family run business that has been serving your area since 1976.
Aspen Tree and Turf, LLC is a sister company of Aspen Tree Expert, Co. Inc. While Aspen Tree Expert Co. focuses on pruning and removals, Aspen Tree and Turf focuses on the health of your plants and turf. We offer a full range of tree, shrub and turf services. Our staff of Licensed Tree Experts and Licensed Applicators are committed to providing the best possible care so you can take pride in your lawn and landscape.
Aspen Tree Expert Co., Inc was started in Freehold, NJ at the kitchen table in February of 1976.
Since that time, our involvement in the tree care industry has grown and the business has expanded and moved to Jackson, NJ. Steve Chisholm Sr., President of Aspen, is involved in many aspects of the industry, both in New Jersey and nationally, helping us to gain some notoriety as a prominent force in NJ arboricultural circles. He is a New Jersey Licensed Tree Expert (LTE #248) and is President of the NJ Board of Tree Experts.
A large part of the success of Aspen Tree is due to the fact that our company is truly a family business. Stephen Chisholm, Jr. is a New Jersey Licensed Tree Expert (LTE #330), ISA Certified Arborist, CTSP and is also actively involved in many areas of the industry. Steve is the Immediate Past President of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce.
Mark Chisholm is also a New Jersey Licensed Tree Expert (LTE #348). Mark’s involvement is specifically as a top climber at Aspen, and he has represented New Jersey as our state climbing champion at the International Tree Climbing Championships for more than 20 years. Mark is a twenty-time NJ Tree Climbing Champion and three-time World Champion winning his third World title in Chicago in 2010. Mark was World Champion in 1997 and 2001 and had second place finishes in 1996 and 2000. He has appeared at numerous TCI Expos doing climbing demonstrations, and frequently does climbing seminars in New Jersey and around the world. He is also currently the spokesperson for Stihl and Tuefelberger, representing their interests at various seminars and trade shows across the country and overseas.
All three Chisholms are instructors at Cook College and Rutgers University, teaching such topics as Hazardous Tree Identification, Large Tree Pruning, Climbing and Rigging, and Chainsaw Safety. Stephen and Mark also teach short courses with Cornell University Extension Service in New York and The Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia.
The Chisholm men are not the only family members on this “family tree.” Laura Chisholm is the Office Manager and Secretary/Treasurer at Aspen Tree. She is also a NJ Licensed Tree Expert (LTE #343), and President of the NJ Society of Tree Experts. She previously served on the Board of Directors of the NJ Shade Tree Federation. In fact, the Chisholms are the first to have four LTEs in one family in New Jersey. All four are also ISA Certified Arborists, and have each been awarded the prestigious Arborist of the Year award by the Arborist Association of New Jersey. Further family involvement extends to Connie Chisholm, Stephen’s wife, who is the Assistant Office Manager and former secretary for the New Jersey Society of Tree Experts. The next generation recently joined the team when Autumn Chisholm started in the finance department in 2020.
Aspen Tree’s history and involvement in the industry is also evidenced by our “extended family,” which includes six other NJ Licensed Tree Experts, four ISA Certified Arborists, seven Certified Treecare Safety Professionals (CTSP’s), previous Arborist Association of NJ board members, and Arborist of the Year winner Paul Blejwas. Our employees are the most qualified anywhere and are all trained professionals with extensive knowledge and expertise.
We take great pride in our over 45 years of experience and service to an industry we love.
Meet Our Team
Steve Chisholm Jr.
Co-Owner, NJ Licensed Tree Expert
A third-generation arborist involved in the family business for over 35 years, Steve is a NJ Licensed Tree Expert, ISA Certified Arborist and NJ Licensed Pesticide Applicator. He has been actively involved in every tree organization in the state for many years and served as President of the NJ Arborist Association, the Society of Commercial Arboriculture, and the NJAISA. He was also the NJ Arborist of the Year in 1999. When not at Aspen you can find Steve spending time with family and friends, traveling, touring baseball stadiums, and looking at trees wherever he is.
Mark Chisholm
Co-Owner, NJ Licensed Tree Expert
Mark is the top climber and trainer at Aspen Tree Expert Company and Co-Owner of Aspen Tree and Turf. He was NJ Tree Climbing Champion for 21 years and a 3-time World Champion. Mark is an ISA Certified Arborist, NJ Licensed Tree Expert, a Certified Treecare Safety Professional, and NJ Licensed Pesticide Applicator. He is the creator and owner of TreeBuzz.com and a spokesperson for Teufelberger, Kask Helmets and Stihl Inc. When Mark isn’t talking trees you can find him enjoying time with the family, playing hockey or out on the links.
Alan Bowers
General Manager
Alan joined the team as General Manager for Aspen Tree Expert Company in 2017. His duties have now grown to oversee the processes and operations within Aspen Tree Expert Company and Aspen Tree and Turf LLC. When Alan isn’t working he enjoys traveling with his wife Jennifer and watching sports surrounded by a gaggle of basset hounds.
Connie Chisholm
Billing, Contracts and IT
Married to Stephen Jr., Connie has worked for the family company for over 25 years. She handles all types of tasks for Aspen Tree Expert Company and Aspen Tree & Turf, including billing, in house IT, customer service, and contracts. When not at work, you can find her outside taking in the summer sun, gardening, or walking on a trail. But when it’s cold you’ll find her snuggled up, crocheting, and listening to a good book.
Autumn Chisholm
Accounts Payable Manager
The third generation of the Chisholm family to join the business, Autumn manages the accounts payables for Aspen Tree Expert Co., Inc and Aspen Tree & Turf. Outside the office, you can find her walking her dog Chester around the neighborhood, searching for the perfect pasta dish, and caring for her extensive indoor plant collection.
David Ossowski
PHC Office Support
David has worked for Aspen Tree Expert Company for over 30 years in many different capacities. He is a Certified Treecare Safety Professional as well as a Licensed Commercial Pesticide Applicator. When not at work, he enjoys coaching soccer, taking in a hockey game at the rink, traveling with his wife Jennifer, or simply hanging out with his family and dog Ziggy.
Chris Brown
Manager of Tree & Turf Division
Chris has been in lawn and plant healthcare since 1998. He holds a significant amount of lawn healthcare licenses such as; the NJ pesticide license in lawn and tree care, ISA Certified Arborist and the NJ Licensed Tree Expert. On his off time Chris enjoys family vacations and golf.
Rick Rutyna
Plant Healthcare Tech
Rick’s passion for plant health care started about 15 years ago. He joined the Aspen Plant Heath Care team in 2019 and with their dedication to education and employee growth, he has grown to be a better Plant Health Care technician. He looks forward to providing superior service to Aspen customers for many years to come. When not out caring for customer properties, you can find Rick out fishing or coaching his daughter’s softball team.
Paul Blejwas
Head Spray Tech and Bug Guru
Paul is the head spray tech and bug guru at Aspen. Paul has over 41 years as a NJ Licensed Tree Expert. Paul’s accomplishments include being President of the NJ Arborist Association, as well as being named NJ Arborist of the year in 1994. He has been with Aspen Tree and Turf for 15 years. When he isn’t out chasing bugs you can find him enjoying his many hobbies: ballroom dancing, cycling, hiking, fly fishing and pottery.
Jay Capece
Lawn Care Tech
Jay is a NJ Licensed Pesticide Applicator and has been working in the lawn care industry and serving customers at the Jersey Shore for 17 years. Jay enjoys speaking with customers and he is always available to discuss any issues a client is having with their lawn. In his free time he enjoys going to concerts, playing guitar, and spending time at home.
Felix Peters
Conservationist
Felix is a graduate from Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences with a degree in Ecology Evolution and Natural Resource Management. He is dedicated to conservation and advocation of trees for both aesthetic and ecological reasons.
Brian Kilgallon
Lawn Care Tech
Brian is a graduate from Rutgers University turf school. He has worked in golf course maintenance as both a superintendent and assistant superintendent, and has been involved with turf at different capacities for over 25 years. Recently he joined the Aspen team and couldn’t be more excited. Brian looks forward to servicing your lawn care needs. When Brian is not caring for your turf Brian is out playing golf and admiring the turf on the links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trees are living things that require ongoing maintenance and care in order to provide you and your property with the many benefits that trees can supply. Arborists are specially trained and equipped to provide you and your trees with safe and scientifically based tree care. Poorly maintained trees and improper tree care practices can lead to decreased aesthetics and property values as well as increased liabilities and maintenance costs.
- Check for credentials such as licenses and certifications showing a demonstrated level of experience or skill.
- Memberships in industry associations such as ISA, TCIA, ASCA and NJSCTE demonstrate a willingness to stay current with all of the latest technology and skills.
- Check for proof of insurance especially liability and workers compensation. This should be provided to you directly from the insurance company to ensure that policies are current and you are covered in case of any mishaps or injuries on the job.
- When getting estimates, don’t always go with the low bid. The cheapest price may not be the best value. Improper tree care can take years and a larger investment to correct and in some cases may not be correctable.
- Always get it in writing. A professional arborist is generally too busy to solicit work door to door looking to perform the work on the spot. Request a contract. Read it carefully and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
This would depend on the objectives you are trying to achieve with your pruning. If it is to remove deadwood for general safety/hazard reduction or to improve tree health, this can be done at any time of the year.
Pruning of any significant live growth more than 10-15% of the crown is best done during the dormant season. Pruning young trees and not waiting until the tree is mature is also critical. This can help establish a good structure, preventing future defects and possible failures.
Small cuts are also less stressful to the tree and close over faster providing less opportunity for insects and disease to gain a foothold.
Barring unforeseen weather events like droughts, hurricanes or ice storms, routine maintenance pruning on most species should occur about every three years. This can vary by tree species, proximity to buildings and desired aesthetic objectives.
Fungal infections begin early in the season during the cool and damp spring weather. The tender young leaves need to be protected from fungal spores as they are emerging and expanding. This is typically done with several fungicide applications over the course of 3-4 weeks depending on the disease. Treating later in the season is not effective as the damage has already occurred and will not improve the condition.
Natural mulch has many benefits including, protection from mowers and string trimmers, soil temperature moderation, moisture retention, and returning organic materials to the soil. Mulch should be no more than 2” deep and go as far out into the drip-line as possible, and not be in contact with the trunk tissue. Too much mulch can be as detrimental as having no mulch at all and can lead to excessive heat build up on the roots and trunk, decay of bark tissue, formation of stem girdling roots and provide habitat for vermin like mice and voles, and parasitic worms called nematodes.
When there is adequate natural rainfall there is no need to water your trees unless you have installed new landscape materials. When we experience hot and dry summer conditions people often assume that their lawn sprinklers are sufficient, but that is not the case. Trees need at least an inch of rain each week to thrive, and large older trees are no exception. Supplemental watering should include flowers, shrubs, and young and old trees alike, and should continue until normal rainfall resumes or the ground freezes in the late fall or winter and plants go dormant.
Past Clients Include
Communities
Briar Glen
Surrey Downs
Southfield Estates
Raintree
Willowbend
Crestwood Village
Milwin Farms
Point O’ Woods
Princeton Walk
Princeton Commons
Penny Layne
Palmer Square
Four Seasons at Wall
Westlake
60 Acre Reserve
Municipalities
Borough of Sea Girt
Millstone Township
Manalapan Township
Monroe Township
Freehold Township
Howell Township
Colts Neck
City of Trenton
Ocean Grove
Jackson Township
Atlantic Highlands
Bradley Beach
Ocean County Shade Tree
Commission
Upper Freehold Township
Educational Communities
Spring Lake Board of Education
Sea Girt Elementary
Ocean Gate Board of Education
Monmouth University
Jackson Board of Education
Government
Fort Dix
Maguire AFB
Lakehurst Naval Air Station
Naval Weapons Station Earle
Commercial
First Energy Corp., Jersey Central Power & Light
Freehold Raceway
Metedeconk National Golf Course
New Jersey Manufacturers Ins. Co
Princeton Plasma Physics Lab