Rooted in Strength: A Woman’s Journey in Arboriculture
From utility clearance to tree health care, one arborist shares how resilience, passion, family, friends and colleagues shaped her decade-long career among the trees.
Victoria grew up in a large family with a twin brother, an older sister, and three other brothers, which made life full of energy and competition. Her father worked in the logging industry, and many of her earliest memories were of spending time with him in the woods, where she developed both a respect for hard work and a love for the outdoors as a true “daddy’s girl.” Her mother, a stay-at-home parent, shaped her resourcefulness by gathering grapevines, crafting them into wreaths and other items, and selling them to bring in extra income. Surrounded by grit, creativity, and a deep connection to nature, Victoria’s path toward arboriculture was rooted early in life.
Today, she is a proud mother of three—two daughters and a son. Her son worked in utility line clearance for a year after high school before enlisting in the Marine Corps. Her oldest daughter holds a degree in social services and currently works in a nursing facility, while her youngest daughter has followed in her footsteps in the arboriculture industry. Victoria is also a devoted grandmother to a three-year-old grandson, who is the apple of her eye.
Building Her Foundation in Utility Clearance
Victoria’s career in arboriculture began in the utility line clearance industry. Her husband, a general foreman for clearance crews, first introduced her to the work. What started as assisting him quickly grew into a passion of her own. At the same time, she was completing a degree in the medical field, which she obtained but chose not to pursue professionally. Instead, arboriculture became her calling, offering both challenges and a sense of purpose.
Utility clearance is a demanding but vital part of arboriculture that ensures safe, reliable power by keeping lines clear, preventing outages, and restoring service after storms. The job required stamina, technical skill, and a strong respect for safety. Through this work, Victoria earned multiple credentials, including ISA Arborist Certification, Utility Specialist, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ), and an Indiana pesticide license in Industrial Weed Management (Category 6). She is now pursuing her 3A Ornamental license to expand her expertise in tree and plant health care.
One of Victoria’s proudest moments was mentoring her daughter, who is now in her second year of utility vegetation management. She recalls training her during a grueling summer in Bean Blossom, Indiana, where the rough terrain, extreme heat, and even snakes tested her daughter’s resolve. With encouragement, her daughter overcame her fears and now confidently conducts hazard tree patrols—proof of her growth and resilience.
Recognition and Respect
As a woman in a male-dominated industry, Victoria has faced skepticism and pressure to continually prove herself. These challenges, however, created opportunities for leadership, growth, and mentorship. Over time, she earned respect through her knowledge, skills, and dedication, while also inspiring others to follow.
In 2019, while working with Townsend Tree Service as a contractor for Duke Energy, Victoria received two public recognitions. In March, she was featured in their International Women’s Day campaign alongside the Coco Chanel quote: “A woman should be two things: who and what she wants.” In May, she was highlighted in their Employee Spotlight, where dozens of colleagues, friends, and family members praised her work. One colleague’s words continue to resonate: “Victoria is the best! I most definitely love my job doing utility line clearance, and mostly because of how good she is to all of us.”
For Victoria, these moments underscored what mattered most: not just the work itself, but the positive impact she had on those around her.
On the Ground After Hurricane Helene
Victoria’s experience also includes high-stakes storm response. She traveled to North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, which devastated western parts of the state with record rainfall, flooding, and mudslides. The storm caused widespread power outages, destroyed infrastructure, and made access to damaged communities extremely difficult.
As part of Duke Energy’s storm response, Victoria worked tirelessly to help restore power, clear trees, and navigate the logistical challenges of devastated terrain. Although the work was exhausting, it reinforced the purpose of her career: arboriculture is not only about trees, but also about people, safety, and resilience.
Branching Into Residential Tree Care
For much of her career, Victoria believed she would remain in utility clearance until retirement. However, unexpected workplace changes shifted her path. Though difficult at the time, this transition opened a new chapter in residential tree care.
Victoria joined GE Tree Service, a family-owned company serving Southern Indiana since 1993. Known for its professionalism and reliability, the company gave her the opportunity to expand her skills beyond utility safety into restoring tree health and longevity. She has embraced advanced treatment methods, including the Arborjet QUIK-jet system, which delivers targeted care to protect trees from pests and diseases.
What began as an unexpected career change became a fulfilling redirection, allowing Victoria to deepen her expertise and passion for arboriculture.
A Focus on Tree Health
Today, Victoria focuses much of her work on tree health care and treatments. She has helped preserve trees threatened by emerald ash borer, as well as managed other common issues such as aphids and scale. Through science-driven, precise treatments, she works to give trees the chance to thrive, ensuring their environmental, aesthetic, and community benefits endure for years to come.
This work combines technical expertise with care and stewardship, reflecting her commitment to the sustainability of both landscapes and communities.
Navigating Arboriculture as a Woman
Visibility matters in arboriculture. Victoria takes pride in showing that success in this industry is not defined by gender, but by passion, skill, and dedication. By sharing her story, mentoring others, and leading by example, she continues to open doors for the next generation of women in the field.
Looking Ahead
For Victoria, arboriculture is more than a career—it is a calling. Whether treating a single backyard tree or helping entire communities recover after storms, she sees her work as contributing to resilience, sustainability, and growth.
Like the trees she cares for, Victoria has learned to adapt, put down strong roots, and keep reaching higher. Her hope is to leave a legacy that inspires the next generation to grow even stronger.
Credentials at a Glance
• ISA Certified Arborist IN-3668AU
• ISA Utility Specialist
• ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ)
• Indiana Pesticide License – Industrial Weed Management, Category 6
• Currently pursuing 3A Ornamental License (tree & plant health care focus)
