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How a Middletown based arborist built one of Monmouth County’s most trusted tree service companies through skill, training, and uncompromising standards.
When you work at Hufnagel Tree Service, you get to see firsthand how deeply Middletown Township values its landscapes. We have customers in Chapel Hill who have cared for the same oaks for generations. We work on graceful maples in Oak Hill, towering spruces in Lincroft, and wind worn pines in Leonardo that stand guard through every storm season. These trees form the character of our town, and caring for them the right way takes knowledge, precision, and years of experience. That is exactly why we sat down with our own founder and certified arborist, Michael Hufnagel, to talk about what sets true arboriculture apart.
Michael has been doing tree work in Monmouth County for more than twenty five years. We see the results of his standards every day. Clean cuts, balanced canopies, restored trees that other crews would have removed, and customers who thank us for being thorough, safe, and consistent. This interview captures his take on where the industry is going, why seasonal work is essential in Middletown, and why hiring a certified arborist should be the first decision any homeowner makes.
We see so many trucks around town offering tree work. Why is certified arborist care different?
Michael does not even have to think about this one.
“People think tree work is just about cutting branches. It is not. That is landscaping with a chainsaw. When you are a certified arborist, you are making decisions that affect the health and structure of a tree for years. Every angle, every cut, every weight shift matters. If a crew does not understand the biology, they can harm the tree in ways a homeowner may not see until much later.”
He reminds us of something he says often.
“Do not hire a hassle. Only use a certified arborist. The certification exists for a reason. These trees are living structures. You do not guess with them.”
Since you live here in Middletown, do you feel that changes the way you approach the work?
Michael nods.
“Absolutely. These are my neighbors. These are the same streets I drive every morning. The same trees I grew up around. When a storm rolls through, I am already thinking about which customers might need help. This is home. That makes every decision personal.”
We see this all the time in the field. Middletown has very different micro environments. Heavy clay in Lincroft. Sandy soils closer to the bay. Slopes in Navesink that redirect wind differently. Michael understands how each of these factors influences root spread, trunk stress, and canopy response.
“You cannot treat every tree the same,” he says. “A white oak along Kings Highway reacts to storm load differently than a maple near Chapel Hill. Precision arboriculture means knowing those distinctions and trimming accordingly.”
Risk mitigation is something we do daily now. How has that changed over the years?
Michael leans forward.
“Storm intensity is up. You see it. I see it. Trees that were never a concern before now need regular review. People call after a limb comes down. The smarter approach is to call before anything happens.”
He explains the evaluation process we go through as a team.
“We look at trunk flare, root plate stability, branch angles, decay pockets, stress fractures, fungal growth, canopy density, and how the tree is handling weight. I have climbed thousands of trees. You start to understand how a limb behaves when it is overloaded or weakened. That is how we prevent failures.”
He adds something we tell customers during assessments.
“Risk mitigation is not fear based. It is prevention. A few targeted cuts today can prevent thousands of dollars of property damage tomorrow. That is real protection.”
We work with some incredible climbers and shapers. How do you describe the level of skill required?
Michael smiles because this is one of the things he takes the most pride in.
“Great climbers are rare. The guys on our team are the best I have ever worked with. They move through a tree with balance and intention. Every cut is placed to protect the health of the tree and the structure of the canopy.”
We see that expertise every day. It is not just trimming branches. It is balancing weight, improving airflow, reducing storm load, shaping for long term growth, and protecting the trunk from stress.
“A homeowner sees a branch,” Michael says. “We see how that branch interacts with the entire tree. The wrong cut can shock the tree or open the door to pests. The right cut keeps it thriving for decades.”
Training is constant. Even our most experienced climbers sharpen their skills through regular refreshers.
“We do not rush jobs. We do not cut corners. Precision takes time. A tree is a living system. You respect that system and work with it, not against it.”
How important is seasonal service here in Middletown?
Michael answers immediately.
“Seasonal care is essential. Trees change constantly. Winter stress. Spring growth spurts. Summer heat strain. Fall canopy loading. If you time your trimming and evaluation correctly, you strengthen the tree for each stage.”
We see seasonal patterns play out on almost every property.
“Spring reveals winter damage,” he explains. “Summer growth can overload branches. Fall winds take advantage of trees that have not been balanced. Winter dormancy is perfect for restoration pruning. It is a cycle, and you have to work with it.”
He uses an example from a property near Lincroft.
“Those mature oaks look beautiful, but by late summer the canopy becomes too dense. That creates a sail effect. Reduce it at the right time and you prevent storm damage. That is smart arboriculture.”
Many people do not realize how often we restore trees instead of removing them. Why is tree restoration such a focus?
“Because removal should always be the last option,” Michael says firmly.
“So many trees can be saved with the right approach. Structural correction, strategic trimming, airflow improvement, selective weight reduction, cabling, bracing. There are many ways to restore a tree safely.”
We have saved countless trees in Middletown that other companies would have taken down immediately.
“These neighborhoods are full of mature trees people care about,” Michael says. “We protect those trees because they define the community.”
We have more than two hundred five star reviews. What do customers appreciate most?
“Honesty and precision,” he says.
“We show up. We walk the property. We explain every step. We price fairly. We clean thoroughly. We make trees healthier and properties safer. People recognize the difference between real tree care and quick cutting.”
He adds something that has shaped our identity as a company:
“Anyone can cut wood. A certified arborist protects your home.”
If you could tell Middletown homeowners one thing before they hire a tree service, what would it be?
“Ask who is actually doing the work,” Michael says.
“Make sure a certified arborist is involved in the evaluation and the trimming. Not just someone selling the job. Knowledge matters. Experience matters. Safety matters. These are the largest plants on your property. You do not want guesswork.”
Before we wrap up, Michael offers one more message for the community he has served for more than two decades.
“Middletown deserves the highest level of tree care. We live here. We work here. We know the neighborhoods and the landscapes. If you want precision trimming, expert shaping, real risk evaluation, and a team that cares about your property, call us. Do not hire a hassle. Only use a certified arborist.”
After spending time with Michael, it is clear why Hufnagel Tree Service has earned the trust of Middletown Township. We take pride in every cut, every climb, and every tree we help thrive. As storms strengthen and seasons shift, true arboriculture is more important than ever. Our commitment is simple. Protect the tree. Protect the home. Serve the community we call our own.
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