Hello,
 
I would like to introduce myself and my company. I am Mark Crane the owner of Mark Cranes Tree and Arborist Services. I have been climbing and caring for trees for 22 years and have had my own business for 16 years. I knew how much I loved trees when I climbed my first large oak tree. The tree was located up at Zaca lake and was a large Valley Oak or by its Latin binomial name Quercus Lobata. This was an experience in itself because it was a hot day and I was covered in sweat and fire ants by the time I reached the top. This was an experience that might not have been so pleasant for some but I knew the trees would be a part of my life from than on. I immediately went and worked in the tree industry for several years before starting my own business. I soon became a ISA Certified Arborist and have continued with seminars over the years.
 
I have worked on many beautiful trees and continue to learn about the different species of trees and species specific care. Trees are individuals somewhat like us. Fact, did you know that our vascular fluid (hemoglobin) and the vascular fluid of trees (sap) are almost identical in composition except our central molecule is iron and there’s is magnesium. The fact is we our very similar and we need them as much as they need us, actually we need them more. So since we need them more than we should care for them with love and understanding rather the contradictory fear and control. This means we must learn about them to care for them properly and that is what Arboriculture is all about. I have listened to many bright scientists talk about trees at the ISA seminars and for that I am very thankful I became a Certified Arborist. I will always remember that becoming certified just opens a door to learning it is up to us to step through the door with curiosity and proceed to learn.
 
I am still climbing trees and will continue to climb as long as I can. I do this because I enjoy it and love trees. This means I must be involved in their care and hands on care is the best I know. We as a staff sometimes discuss things about trees in the air as well as on the ground, and more often than not I am part of this conversation. So if you have my company come to care for your trees do not be surprised if you see me in a hardhat ascending into one of them.

Jeff Denier started working with Mark Crane 12 years ago as part of the ground crew. His dedication and hard work moved him up within the company and earned him the title of foreman.  Jeff started competing in tree climbing competitions 7 years ago, and has placed in the top five the last two years in the WISA division. Most recently he took first place at the CAA state division competition. Jeff has continued to further his knowledge of the tree industry by attending numerous seminars and taking arboriculture classes at SBCC.  In 2008 Jeff earned the honor of becoming a certified arborist with the ISA.  Jeff's role in the company is tree trimming and removal specialist and operations supervisor.  As a valued member of the team Jeff assists Mark with bidding, equipment repairs, safety standards and client communication.  

Jacob Dallas is a Santa Barbara native who graduated from Dos Pueblos High School in 1995. He has worked for Mark for two and a half years and has been climbing for two of those years. He enjoys the mental and physical challenges that tree work offers daily, and that has led him to compete in the annual climbing competition put on by the western chapter of the ISA. He has been in three competitions (one was with the California Arborist) and he has improved greatly each time.
 

Xian Hunter is a crew leader/ Senior Climber with over 22 years of experience in all aspects of arboriculture. ISA/NAA certified, Yale Cordage certified rope splicer. Xian is bilingual climbing instructor and demonstrates at numerous ISA seminars & competitions. He has extensive knowledge in all advanced and progressive climbing, rigging systems, techniques, cabling systems & spikless tree climbing 

Bonded &  Insured - Lic. #852315 - Certified Arborist, Lic. W.C. 3707