Meet our Team
Michael Sestric
Owner/President
Certifications:
University of Massachusetts, Amherst '91 B.S. Arboriculture
Board Certified Master Arborist
Certified Treecare Safety Professional
Certified Tree Worker
Michael Sestric has been in the tree industry for more than two decades and has established a great work ethic, professionalism and relations with customers.
Sestric now oversees all facets of arborist care and manages the company's team of arborists in the most safe and efficient way possible. Since joining, Michael also has stepped up as a sales representative and consultant.
Served as President of the St. Louis Arborist Association and Midwest Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture as well on the board of directors for both.
He also was part of the team that received the Tree Care Industries Excellence in Arboriculture award for Arbor Care in San Jose, CA in 1995.
Matt schmittgens
Chief arborist
Certifications:
ISA Certified Arborist
Matt Schmittgens has quickly grown into a professional tree climber. His skills do not stop in the tree. He is a skilled mechanic and groundsman.
As of March 1st of 2025 Matt has served for 20 years as a vital part of TFL and its continued dedication to tree preservation. Matt has become knowledgeable in every aspect of field work and is trusted by each of our clientele to care for their urban forests. He now also takes the lead in training of new staff members and serves as an excellent mentor as the nest generation of arborists matures in our ranks.
After becoming an ISA-Certified arborist, it helped set the standard for professionalism in the St. Louis area. Very few other tree service companies in the country can claim to have as high of a percentage of their employees to be ISA Certified as Trees, Forests and Landscapes does.
He continues to attend conferences to obtain continued education units and keep updated on the latest climbing techniques and safety policies. In the past, Matt competed in the Midwestern ISA's Tree Climbing Championships.
NICHOLAS MEDE
Plant Health Care Supervisor
Certifications:
Certified Arborist
Licensed Pesticide Applicator
Graduate of University of Missouri, Columbia B.S. Forestry
Nick Joined the TFL Team as a summer intern in 2022 where he was introduced to as many facets of our operation as possible in a 3 month period. After graduation he returned to St. Louis to take the lead as our Plant Healthcare Program Supervisor. He has been a quick study and has an excellent work ethic along with his great attention to detail. Nick also steps in during the off season to aid with the pruning, planting and removal operations where he has become a valuable asset as well
STEPHEN ROE
LEAD SAFETY OFFICER
Certifications:
Licensed Pesticide Applicator
Aerial Lift Operator
Climber
Stephen joined us from the Utility Line Clearance industry and hardscape construction. His vast exposure to and knowledge of the safety part of our industry was quickly noted and appreciated. The position of Lead Safety Officer was created as a result of Stephen stepping forward early in his time with TFL, volunteering ideas and safety measures that would improve our work world. He continues to grow in knowledge of arboriculture and looks to gain his Certified Arborist Certifiaction soon.
MATTHEW STEWART
CLIMBING ARBORIST
Certifications:
Certified Arborist
Certified Pesticide Applicator
Matthew joined our team with a significant amount of varied knowledge in the field of arboriculture. A solid base of knowledge in everything from climbing to plant installation and disease recognition quickly made Matthew an important part of TFL's dedication to tree preservation. He is proficient in aerial lift operation along with all of our other equipment but what really makes Matthew stand out is his attitude. He brings humor and positivity to what often can be a serious situation and that is a very valuable asset.
Bill Spradley
FOUNDER/CONSULTANT
Main Expertise: Arboricultural Consultant, Sales Representative, Plant Health Care Diagnostic Specialist, Landscape Designer, Plant Selection/Procurement, Horticultural Instructor/Educator
Established at TFL: Founded company in 1990
Education Experience: Bachelors of Science in Forest Management from University of Missouri
Certifications: ISA Certified Arborist since 1992, Licensed Commercial Pesticide Applicator
Since founding Trees, Forests and Landscapes in 1990, William has gone on to do so much for the tree care industry. He has been president of St. Louis Arborists Association and has been on their officer's board for more than a decade. He also has been a past president of the International Society of Arboriculture's Midwestern Chapter.
He also likes to help out with future arborists. He is an active board member of the Horticulture Department at St. Louis Community College-Meramec, has participated in field days with University of Missouri Forestry students and teaches as an adjunct professor.
Over the years, he has traveled throughout most of the country and abroad to give more than 100 speaking engagements for various garden clubs, horticultural symposiums and arboricultural training programs. While in the meantime scouting out what the landscape and tree care industry has to offer in other countries to find the best solutions to our problems or queries back home.
Recently, William was acknowledged for his efforts in aiding the urban forest at William Woods University in Fulton by accepting the Missouri Arbor Award of Excellence. The award given out by The Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Community Forestry Council recognizes those that excel in improving Missouri communities through the stewardship of our community forests. He also was honored as one of seven recipients worldwide to receive ISA's True Professionals award. Read more about the award at ISA's website.
He also is one of the only arborists in Missouri to receive a state proclamation from former Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon for his work in preserving the champion McBaine Bur Oak near Columbia, MO. Read about the work TFL did to help preserve this great natural treasure. Check out this video to learn more about the McBaine Bur Oak.