Season 3
SEASON 3 EPISODE 3
In this episode of Land Language, we sit down with Jacob Holmstead, founder of Samsara Tree Care in Portland, Oregon. Jacob walks through his approach to client education, managing expectations, and doing “good tree work” by observing property cues and addressing underlying site conditions like low organic matter and compacted soils, often starting with soil samples.
" So when you walk into those properties, you have to take in those cues, um, 'cause the narrative that you're gonna be hearing from the client and what their goals are, it, it should really influence us, you know? Because we really want to do good tree work rather than just tree work."
—Jacob Holmstead
Jacob describes his path from rock climbing and rope work into arboriculture, his ongoing education through conferences and certifications (including TRAQ), and how quantifying risk helps communicate with fearful clients.
Topics include:
Tree Care Mindset
Reading a Property
Soil Science and PHC
Trees and Legacy
Chemicals and EAB
Resilient Tree Choices
This episode is a practical conversation about reading a site honestly, choosing species for a horizon longer than a career, and finding ways to hand over expertise when the visit is short and the tree is old.
Interested in learning the business side of ecological work?
Rooted is a six-module course from the Land Language Institute for designers and design-build contractors who already do ecological work and want to charge for it properly and explain it better. Join the waitlist here.
Jacob Holmstead is a tree care professional passionate about helping people better understand and care for the trees around them. With a practical, hands-on approach to tree health, safety, and maintenance, Jacob brings valuable insight into what it takes to keep trees healthy for generations.
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