Emmons Tree & Landscape 25 Years: A Dream, Hard Work, and Community Brings Success
2026! This year marks an important chapter for Emmons Tree Service, one that was built on a dream, hard work, a great community, and a supportive family.
Yes, this year we celebrate 25 years of business here in New Milford!
In 2001, I was encouraged to chase my dream of owning my own tree service, thus Emmons Tree service was established. After high school I attended SUNY Morrisville, where I studied landscape design and Arboriculture. Morrisville was a great school for me to go to as it was a hands-on school, I learned how to operate machinery and how to climb trees along with the science that goes with trees. I came back from school to work for a national tree company where my job was to remove and prune trees around the utility lines. I learned a great deal while working for the national company but the struggle I had was that I was a young foreman that no one wanted to listen to. Frustration led me to go out on my own.
In the early years, I was eager to work and would not shy away from any job. We did lawn mowing, mulching, snow plowing, as well as tree services. When things were slow or weather was an issue, I would work as a subcontract climber. And on weekends, I would make mulch deliveries for the local nurseries. I knew absolutely nothing about running a business, but I did know one thing, I knew how to work; and if that meant having to work 7 days a week then that was what I was going to do. During that time something special happened, that can only happen in a small town, jobs that I acquired came from word of mouth. Family friends, former teachers, local business owners all shared my name and gave me a chance. To this day, 25 years later we do limited advertising.
The most rewarding part of owning this business for me is getting to work side by side with my wife Sara and my father Rick each day. People warned me not to mix business and family, and I would be lying if I said it was always easy, but in all honesty, it has made us stronger and better because of it.
Through the years I have received tremendous support from a lot of special people in my life. When I was a teenager, I worked for Cosmo’s Landscaping and Cosmo played a pivotal role in giving me guidance personally and professionally right up until his passing this year. He always believed in me and reminded me all it takes is hard work and determination.
In 2001, when I started my business, I operated out of a shed on my parents’ property. As I started to acquire more trucks, zoning came along and said no more, time to move to a commercial space. This was a huge challenge for a new business that was trying to get off the ground. I owe a huge Thank You to Mr. & Mrs. Layton who took a chance on me and rented me a unit at South End Plaza. To this day I walk through the door of the shop every morning and am grateful for them. Another person who offered unwavering support was Jeff from Meadowbrook; he encouraged me to get my arborist license and dealt with my endless questions in the process. There have been MANY people over the years that have helped shape me to who I am now, MANY! When they say it takes a village, it certainly does. I want to thank all of them for not only being supportive but also always sharing advice with no judgement through the years. The best way I can honor them is to pass on their advice to others the same way it was shared with me.
Growing, staffing and equipping a tree service is a big task! We currently employ 10 wonderful people and are looking to add to our crew this year. One of those employees, Chris DiDonato, has been with the company for 23 years and is currently studying to become a licensed arborist as well. I pride myself on my employees, their training, our equipment and the way jobs are done safely and efficiently. Including myself we have 3 licensed arborists on staff, which allows us to handle many aspects of the tree care industry. There is so much more to our industry than just dragging brush or running a chainsaw, and I love being in the field with our crews and teaching them new skills and seeing them overcome challenges.
We certainly have had our ups and downs in 25 years; however, I have learned something new every day and that is what matters most. The most important lesson I have learned is that if you do what you love, then you will never work a day in your life. I am blessed that I get to work with a talented group of individuals day in and day out. Recently a good friend of mine asked “What will be next once you reach your dream?” I replied, I have not reached mine yet, but when I do, I will come up with another one.
We want to wish this great town a wonderful 2026! Please follow Emmons Tree Service on social media. We have a lot of wonderful things planned to celebrate our 25th anniversary this year and plan to continue our traditions of giving back to the community that has shaped us to be who we are today.
