Our Arborist Collective
At Vitalitree, we are committed to quality tree care and honest evaluations and recommendations. Our crews always have at least 2 certified arborists and oftentimes 3 or more, and encourage constant learning to increase their skills and expertise.
Jean-Luc Bengle
Jean-Luc started vocational college for horticulture at 16 and graduated with a 2-year degree in environmental horticulture at 18. Having been introduced to arboriculture in college, it was clear what he wanted to do in life. After working for a few different companies in the Seattle area for 6 years and a 2-year stretch in New Zealand running a tree crew, he decided to go back to school and study farming. Ultimately, he realized he was more passionate about arboriculture and started Vitalitree with a vision to create a new kind of tree company that focussed on providing more honest tree care advice and quality service while treating the employees fair and always offering a way to advance with the company.
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist
Certified Tree Risk Assessor
AAS Degree in Environmental Horticulture from Lake Washington Technical College
Certified Permaculture Designer
First Aid/CPR Certified
Jake Kreitzer
Jake has worked in the tree care business for the past 17 years. He started dragging brush as a ground crew member when he was 20 years old. A few years later he moved to Lake Arrowhead in Southern California where he received a crash course in hazardous crane tree removals and crew management. After about a year and a half, he moved back to the Pacific Northwest and joined on with one of Seattle’s largest local tree services, Seattle Tree Preservation. He worked at STP for 10+ years, honing in his tree pruning and removal skills while becoming a certified arborist. Jake later joined up with Vitalitree in 2014 as a way to learn the consultation side of the business. In 2018, Jake became a joint partner in Vitalitree and strives to provide the best in tree care services to the PNW.
ISA Certified Arborist
Certified Tree Risk Assessor
First Aid/CPR Certified
Brandan Kriegel
Brandan Had worked his way up through other companies in Idaho and Portland before coming to the Seattle area and finding Vitalitree. Brandan has been leading crews since 2009 after working in the industry since 2007.
ISA Certified Arborist
Certified Tree Risk Assessor
First Aid/CPR Certified
Jordan Franksen
Jordan started as a worker in a nursery and on the landscaping crews where he learned a lot about plant ID, and proper pruning. He switched over to Arboriculture in 2010, and has been working at Vitalitree since 2014.
ISA Certified Arborist
First aid/CPR certified
Marcus Leitch
Marcus got into rock climbing early in life and was an instructor before he decided to get into tree work. He has a love for climbing that shows in his good work and an eye for good aesthetics with his pruning.
ISA Certified Arborist
First Aid/CPR Certified
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