Why We Do This Work: Caring for Trees and Community in Durango, CO
Codi Coghlan
No tree care company is perfect. Much like a sapling establishing itself in new soil, building a business that remains stable —with deep roots in the community, adequate resources to weather dry spells, and steady cash flow to sustain growth— is an achievement in itself.
In a marketplace as crowded and diverse as a rainforest canopy, standing out is no small feat when every business idea seems to have already taken root.
So how do you actually measure success?
Is it gross profit alone?
The quality of equipment?
The happiness of the team?
The truth is, every business owner defines success differently.
What Does Success Really Mean in the Tree Care Industry?
Success is often measured in numbers: revenue, production speed, or how many jobs you can fit into a week. Others define it by client satisfaction, pristine job sites, or technical excellence. Keeping up with the Joneses, or, as we like to call it, the Spruces.
At Momentum Tree Experts, we believe real success lives somewhere deeper.
We’re far from perfect, but at the core of everything we do are trees and people. From our Communications Specialists to our climbing Arborists, every role matters. When you’re sending people 70 feet into the canopy with chainsaws in hand, safety, clarity, and balance aren’t optional, they’re everything.
Keeping our clients and crew happy, healthy, and engaged isn’t always easy. It takes intention. Investing in ongoing training. Paying fair wages. Slowing down to spend extra time with homeowners during consultations, teaching them about the beauty, value, and long-term importance of their trees.
For us, that’s real success. Because at the end of the day, what are we if not a company built for our people?
Our Mission: Why Momentum Tree Experts Exists
Recently, we updated our company mission to reflect our “why.”
In the past, we relied on marketing slogans and catchy headlines to describe what we do. But over time, it became clear that what truly drives us isn’t the work, it’s the reason behind it: our why.
Momentum’s Mission: Nurturing lifelong connections between people and trees — expert arboriculture that deepens stewardship in Durango, Colorado.
To better understand that mission, we asked each of our team members to share their personal “why.”
Honestly, I don’t know if I’ve ever sat down and thought about it like that. I guess it’s a mix of things. I love being outside, working with trees, doing something physical and challenging. It’s hard work, but it’s rewarding.
I like that it’s hands-on. You can see what you’ve accomplished at the end of the day. You show up, there’s a task, and when you leave, the space looks completely different. That’s satisfying.
I’ve always liked the technical side too: the knots, the ropes, the systems. It’s not just brute strength, it’s problem-solving. That’s what sets tree work apart from other physical jobs. It keeps your mind engaged while your body’s working.
Tree work somehow feeds my soul, though I can’t exactly explain why. It stirs something inside me that helps me be a better version of myself outside of work. Taking care of trees inspires me to take better care of myself and the people around me.
I like who I am as a tree worker more than in any other job I’ve had. Maybe it’s watching trees persevere, growing through challenges and weathering adversity, that reminds me to do the same. Maybe it’s the physical struggle and the reward of seeing growth. Either way, it’s good for my soul.
Why do I do tree work? Because I love it, and the community around it is incredible. At competitions and events, you feel part of something bigger: a group of people who respect one another and share a passion. And I love Momentum. The community here is a huge reason I keep coming back.
My “why” starts with the trees I love, trees I want to help live forever. This work teaches me how to care for them and lets me use that knowledge to help others care for theirs.
I also love seeing our team grow. Watching curiosity blossom and people develop as leaders is deeply rewarding. We grow trees, but we also grow people.
When I was young, we had to cut down my favorite cherry tree, the one I learned to climb, because it died. I didn’t know how to help it then, but that experience stayed with me. Now, I work to make sure others don’t have to lose the trees they love.
We may spend more time indoors these days, but keeping the forest close to our hearts still matters. How do we create a forested, nurturing environment while enjoying modern life? That question drives me every day.
Tree work challenges me, grows my skills, and strengthens my confidence. Ultimately, I want to help people connect with their trees and ensure those trees thrive for generations.
Working outside is such a gift. I love using my body to climb, move through canopies, and see the world from the top of a tree. The physical work keeps me grounded and in shape!
Tree work gives me the daily movement my body craves. Whether I’m running brush to the chipper or climbing with a saw, I’m happiest when I’m active. It clears my mind and helps me grow as a person.
I love the technical side, tuning a saw until it cuts perfectly, smelling the mix of conifer sawdust and fuel (well, maybe not too much fuel). I enjoy staying current on what’s best for trees and learning more every day.
But what truly makes the work special is doing it alongside like-minded people, and for someone like Moses. Of all the companies I’ve worked for, this one stands out for its kindness and support. We have a real chance here to be our best selves in a caring, tight-knit team.
I love the outdoors, physical labor, and climbing. The job’s dynamic nature and constant challenges keep me learning and growing every day.
My “why” for working with Momentum Tree Experts lies in our deep respect for both nature and people. I’m inspired by our mission to protect and preserve ecosystems and grateful to be part of a team that uplifts one another.
Our leadership fosters compassion, opportunity, and flexibility. Trees are vital to our humanity, and I’m proud to be part of an organization that honors that truth.
I love helping people connect with the nature around them and showing them how to become better stewards of their trees.
What makes tree work meaningful to me is how real it is. You’re outside, hands-on, solving problems, and you can see the difference you’ve made by day’s end. It’s satisfying work that matters, and a welcome break from staring at screens.
Working with Momentum makes it even better. The crew’s solid, the vibe is good, and everyone genuinely cares about doing the job right. Helping people care for their trees and earning their trust gives the work real purpose.
What keeps me coming back is that mix of challenge, teamwork, and good honest work. It feels like we’re building something meaningful together, and that’s what it’s all about.
Trees are fascinating! They’re an integral part of life on our planet, massive, living organisms, many of which have existed far longer than we have. Trees endure. They adapt.
Each tree has a unique story to tell, from the youngest sprout to the oldest old-growth giant.
There’re many parallels between humankind and trees. Their long histories can teach us about the past, and if you pay attention, trees will show you how time passes.
My mother earned degrees in botany and horticulture, and my father earned a degree in forestry. My mother spent the last 25 years of her career caring for the trees and grounds of the University of Vermont. In many ways, trees have always been part of my roots.
I also love sharing a mutual appreciation for trees with our clients. When people have personal connections to their trees, it shows.
It’s hard to put into words, but there’s something truly magical about our human connection to trees.
Working with trees allows me to keep learning about them and to better understand their invaluable role in this place we call home.
I’m a storyteller at heart, and getting to tell stories I genuinely care about is incredibly meaningful to me.
Through my work with Momentum Tree Experts, I get to study the biology of trees, connect with Arborists, and help bridge the gap between people and the trees around them, highlighting just how vital those relationships are, from improving urban environments to providing the oxygen we breathe.
Sharing the voices behind the work and connecting our community to the people who care for their trees is what makes this role so fulfilling.
Why How We Care for Trees Matters
Choosing a tree care company isn’t just about removing a hazard or pruning a branch. When quick fixes and convenience take priority over preservation, the result can be poor-quality work that compromises a tree’s long-term health and ends up costing more over time. Ultimately, it’s about trust, stewardship, and caring for trees with the future in mind.
At Momentum Tree Experts, our “why” is what brings us back to work each day. It’s why we invest in education, prioritize safety, and work to build lasting relationships between people, trees, and the landscapes we all share.
Because when trees stand strong, people do too.
