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Small Business Spotlight: Business Owner Goes Out On A Limb

By Staff Reports, posted Jan 22, 2025

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).”
 
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