Meet the team
🌲 Kody | Crew Leader
Kody was the very first member of The Tree Dads crew, and he’s been a core part of the team ever since. As one of our trusted crew leaders, Kody plays a vital role in making sure each day runs smoothly from setup to pack down.
He’s an absolute gun on the Schaefer and a machine when it comes to feeding the chipper keeping the job moving and the site spotless. He’s also our go-to saw sharpener (we reckon he could sharpen a blade with his eyes closed but don’t worry, he doesn’t).
Kody brings experience, grit, and good energy to every job. We’re stoked to have him leading the way.
🌳 Kye | Co-Founder
Kye is one half of the Tree Dads duo, starting the business at just 25 alongside his mentor Tom. He’s been climbing since the young age of 19, when he first met Tom and he’s been hooked ever since. Since day one, he’s been the first one up the tree and the last one down and not just because he loves the view.
An experienced climber with a serious passion for arboriculture, Kye lives and breathes this work. You won’t catch him calling in sick even when he probably should (we’ve tried). His dedication, drive, and borderline obsession with doing a good job are a huge part of what makes The Tree Dads what it is today.
He is also the stamina of the team somehow still buzzing when everyone else is ready to clock off. Rain, heat, or back-to-back removals, he just keeps going (and going).
Kye brings heart, hustle, and a whole lot of sawdust to every job and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
🌲 Tom | Co-Founder
Tom is the other half of The Tree Dads founding duo, bringing a whole lot of heart and brains to the operation. He’s been in the game a long time, starting out dragging brush back in 2008 before kicking off his arborist apprenticeship in 2011. Not long after, he found his way into the climbing comp scene in New Zealand and carved out a reputation for doing things properly.
These days, Tom is the man behind the scenes making sure all the logistics and paperwork are running smoother than a freshly chipped site. He’s the one keeping the wheels turning.
That said, you might just catch him gearing up for a 3pm climb on a Wednesday not because he misses it, but because he’s on daycare pick up. Climbing isn’t his daily gig anymore, but he’s still got it when it counts.
But don’t let the admin title fool you Tom is one of the kindest souls you’ll ever meet. He can chat to absolutely anyone (seriously, anyone), and his genuine love for connection is at the heart of everything The Tree Dads stands for.
He’s calm, clever, and quietly keeps the whole operation ticking with a cuppa in hand and a grin on his face.