A Family Business Since 1919
For four generations, the Van Yahres family has shared a deep love of Virginia and its natural resources. Van Yahres Tree Company’s work in Central Virginia dates back to 1919 when our founder, George Van Yahres, was hired to assist with the grounds restoration effort at Monticello. George Van Yahres provided consulting advice on the project and Van Yahres Tree Company was hired to perform all tree care services. George’s son, Mitch Van Yahres, built on the company’s expertise and reputation for excellence when he established the Charlottesville branch of the company in 1949.
Mitch Van Yahres
Mitch provided arboricultural assessments and helped train the next generation of area arborists—his lifetime work protected and preserved thousands of trees throughout Central Virginia. Mitch’s career also includes many years of distinguished service as a civic leader and delegate to the Virginia General Assembly.
Mike Van Yahres
Mitch’s son, Mike, bought Van Yahres Tree Company in the mid 90’s. Mike is a trained arborist and also holds a Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Virginia. Mike has published articles in national magazines and was invited to speak across country on the subjects of campus design and tree management.
Jake Van Yahres and Shana Clarke
In February of 2020, Mike knew the time had come to pass the company torch and sold the company to his children, Jake Van Yahres and Shana Clarke, for the same reason he bought it from Mitch: to give the next generation the opportunity to improve the business.
Jake and Shana bring unique talents to take the company to the next level with our fantastic management team lead by Stacy Moren. Specifically, they look forward to making improvements in both technology and plant health care. Ultimately, these efforts will benefit the community, the environment and most importantly you, our trusted client.
We are proud to protect the trees, homes and historic properties that are a part of the history of Virginia and part of your family’s history. Trees are a natural legacy for future generations, and caring for trees is what we do best. Our promise is to provide services and contributions to the community that will continue to make Central Virginia a special place to live, work and raise our families.
- Shana Clarke
- Jake Van Yahres next to the mural he designed to honor his grandfather, Mitch.
- Mike passing the company torch to his son Jake
- Mike Van Yahres as a young arborist.
- Mark Van Yahres at Monticello in the seventies.
- Jimmy Quarles, Mitch’s right-hand man, in charge of all field crews from 1949 – 1980’s.
- Jimmy Quarles pruning hedges in the seventies.
- George Van Yahres repairing an Elm tree at Monticello.
- Bob Houchens in the early eighties, said to be the best tree climber in the country.
- Mitch Van Yahres, founder of the Charlottesville company, giving instructions to the crew.
- Mitch Van Yahres to MikeVan Yahres, from one generation to the next.