The Small Business Spotlight focuses on area businesses that have opened in the past three years in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties.

What’s your background?

Baum: “I grew up in Northern California, gazing up at the beautiful redwood trees. I attended the University of California at Berkeley, where I earned a degree in astrophysics. It might not take a rocket scientist to prune a tree, but you never know when one might come in handy.”
 

How did you end up in Wilmington?

Baum: “I moved to Wilmington just before Hurricane Florence landed in 2018. Right away, I met a local Certified Arborist, and he invited me to work for him. In the following years, I became a Certified Arborist (International Society of Arboriculture), and I got a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. I also became a licensed North Carolina Pesticide Applicator.”
 

What made you want to start your own business?

Baum: “My boss sold his tree business to a national tree company in February of 2024. I declined that company’s offer of a corporate tree job and started The Tree Nerds. I serve the entire Cape Fear region, doing fertilization and pesticide treatments, writing Certified Arborist reports – including tree surveys, tree risk assessments and tree appraisals – and doing small expert pruning and removal jobs. I also teach tree-climbing classes to the public.”
 

What is the mission of Tree Nerds?

Baum: “The goal of The Tree Nerds is to help local landowners manage the trees on their property. I help them decide how to care for a tree, when to prune it, what to do about any problems it might be experiencing and when it is necessary to cut it down. I don’t currently do large tree removals myself, so I can help people make the right decision without feeling they were pressured to help me pay for a tree removal crew and equipment. My goal is to make sure people are happy with their trees and that the trees are well cared for.”
 

Why do you offer tree-climbing lessons?

Baum:“Years ago, I read a National Geographic article that included pictures of scientists climbing a giant redwood. I decided to learn about “technical tree climbing” firsthand. I took a weeklong class in Oregon and fell in love with tree climbing, the climbing community and helping people explore the treetops in a way that is safe for climbers and for the trees.

“Recreational and scientific tree climbing on the West Coast evolved into my first tree job. To date, I have taken over 300 people tree climbing using ropes and saddles (no spiked boots). Lots of my climbers are graduate students and forestry employees but also curious kids and kids-at-heart, from ages 8 to 85. I teach customized classes upon request, but the three standard classes I teach are Tree Climbing Experience (2-4 hours); Basic Tree Climbing Course (2 days); and Basic Tree Week (5 days).”