Sara Jensen, ISA Certified Arborist

ISA Certified Arborist

Territory and Services:

Sara operates out of SavATree’s Rockville branch in MD providing comprehensive tree, shrub, lawn, tick and deer services to Takoma Park, Silver Spring, and Riverdale, MD. Some popular services that Sara and the team offer to clients in the Takoma Park and Silver Spring, MD areas include tree removal and take downs, tree pruning and trimming, tree disease treatments, organic tree care, shrub and hedge trimming, shrub disease management, organic lawn care, lawn fertilization, lawn seeding, lawn aeration, organic weed control, pest management including mosquito and tick control and deer repellent including our effective DeerTech program. If you are interested in having a certified arborist come out to your property to create a custom tree and lawn care program tailored to your wants and needs, reach out to Sara and the team. The professionals here at SavATree are uniquely qualified to treat conditions specific to the Washington DC area and are trained to provide only the best care and customer service. Call us today!

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (301) 545-1712

Education:

Sara earned her Bachelor’s of Landscape Architecture from the University of Maryland College Park. She has also studied abroad in Costa Rica and Italy.

Qualifications:

Sara has diverse experience in both the landscape architecture and arboriculture fields. She has worked for the private, non-profit and public sectors over the last 15years.

Personal:

Sara is a Montgomery County native. She enjoys traveling, hiking, kayaking, mosaic art, horseback riding, running and volunteering. She and her rescue Dobermann, Hemingway, have recently discovered the joys of boating and fishing.

Why She Became An Arborist:

“Since my work with Casey Trees in 2002, a DC based non-profit whose mission is to restore our nation’s capital urban canopy, I’ve known that I wanted to become an Arborist. I enjoy working with people and helping to improve the environment.”

Customer Service Philosophy:

“My top priority is to ensure that you are treated respectfully, feel comfortable and are confident in the services I provide. If you work with me, trust that you will be well taken care of.”

Industry Involvement/Certifications:

  • ISA Certified Arborist MA-5112A
  • Maryland Licensed Tree Expert

Industry Mentions

WOMEN IN LANDSCAPE: SARA JENSEN

Social Network:

Click here to check out Sara’s LinkedIn!

What are Sara’s Clients Saying?

“Thank you for the wonderful care your crew gave my trees. After having a very bad experience with a tree service, Sara was a breath of fresh air. It was a pleasure working with her and the whole crew and my trees have never looked better!”
Karen C.
“Regarding the tree work that has been done, I am impressed and delighted! I was especially impressed to see how the crew was able to cut those trees between the fences so low. That’s simply terrific! I appreciate the kindness, care and professionalism you bring to your work. It is a reassuring thing to have someone who knows our trees and their history. It is obvious from your good energy that you love what you do. Everything looks great and your guys did a super job. Again, we so appreciate you!”
Mary M.
“I am so pleased with the way our tree looks in the front yard. Wow, what a difference! I couldn’t believe my eyes as I approached the house the other evening after work. It had gotten so massive and visually took up the whole front of the house, now it is lighter and beautifully shaped and the sun shines through the branches in a way it never has. It is beautiful. Thank you so much for making such a huge improvement!! We’re so glad we opted to do this and I’m sure we will be in touch with future needs!”
Robin L.
“You guys did great! I was very happy with all you did and doing things you didn’t need to do, like hauling all my yard debris away and staking both trees. The willow is awesome! I love the yellow bark and the health – oh the tree looks fabulous! I was in love when I saw it. Great job! Thank you for all you did! Awesome!”
Laura
“Sara was terrific and gave us lots of suggestions how to save our treasured Japanese Maple. Her suggestions included both ideas for your services as well as things we can do for ourselves. She was also quite willing to look at our oaks in the backyard and common grounds to help diagnose them and allay some of our concerns there. Thank you!”
Gayle H., Laurel, MD
“The trees and other trimmings look phenomenal. The front of the house is so open and bright. Seriously, they did a great job. Thank you.”
Kate W., Silver Spring, MD
“Our yard looks absolutely beautiful – so green and lush. Our neighbors are envious of our yard. I have given your email to at least 5 neighbors! Your company is the greatest!”
Sharon S., Silver Spring, MD
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“It looks beautiful! I can feel the air flow just looking at the photo! hanks for the artful cutting too, it looks like they cut the shape of the tree. So good. Thank you!”
Client from Silver Spring, MD
Silver Spring MD Arborist

Community Involvement:

Sara Jensen and Myrick Johnson, ROC Arborists, had a “booth” at GreenFest 2022 at Brookside Gardens, MD. It was a huge success!

ASLA Regional Conference in Columbia, MD

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On June 12, 2018, SavATree participated in the Maryland-Potomac ASLA Regional Conference in Columbia, Maryland. The event’s topic was “Landscape Architecture in the Civic Space”. Sara attended the conference along with Ron Rubin, another certified arborist out of SavATree’s Rockville, MD branch, who also presented at the conference. His presentation was entitled “Native, Urban Trees and Climate Change: Are We Prepared?” Sara worked the SavATree booth, speaking and connecting with other industry professionals and the public.

Observations in the Field:

Hellebores emerging!

January 31, 2020 – Hellebores (Lenten Rose) emerging during our mild winter. It’s typical for them to start blooming this early in the season, however an intense cold snap or severe winter storm could shorten their magic. They are native and deer resistant even on properties that have significant deer pressure. One of my absolute favorites!

Winterberry – Silver Spring, MD

January 28, 2020 – Winterberry, Ilex verticillata, one of my favorite native shrubs for it’s stand out berry display throughout the winter. Not entirely deer resistant in areas of heavy pressure but otherwise an excellent addition to the landscape that requires very little care.

Junior Arborist in Training!

December 18, 2019 – Junior arborist in training! Always a kick to see the work that we do through children’s eyes. What we do is fascinating to watch for kids of all ages…never lose that sense of wonder. 

Sugar Maples

Silver Spring, MD Tree Service

Silver Spring Arborist

October 21, 2019 – Despite our drought this year, the sugar maples are exceeding expectations. When the light hits them just right, they are simply extraordinary. Please water your trees so they are not entirely drought-stressed entering into the winter. They need one inch each per week of deep, infrequent (2-3 times weekly) watering. And don’t forget to contact SavATree if you need some advice!

English Ivy in Silver Spring, MD

Silver Spring, MD Tree Care

October 21, 2019 – Whenever I see English ivy that is being permitted to grow along the trunk of the tree, I always recommend for our crews to cut the vines for the tree’s health. More important than tree’s health is visibility. As you can see in the pictures, these trees were completely inundated with English ivy vines which were covering up the serious structural defects in each tree. Please don’t allow the English ivy to take over your trees and, if it’s gotten out of control, allow us to help you regain that control so you can maintain both tree health and be able to effectively monitor any structural defects that could surface. Contact SavATree today to schedule a free consultation with a certified arborist!

Hardy Orange in Silver Spring, MD

Silver Spring MD Tree Care

Tree Service in Silver Spring MD

October 10, 2019 – You don’t want to accidentally fall into this shrub! Though it is debatable whether this species should be included in the citrus family, it is a very interesting shrub none the less. Once matured, certainly an effective deterrent for security purposes. The citrus fruit is sweet smelling this time of year. The thorns range in size from 2 to 3 in. Not found too commonly in a traditional residential landscape, but it’s definitely a bold plant. If you need help caring for complicated plants on your landscape, contact your local SavATree arborist today!

Pruning the Maryland State Champion Willow Oak

Tree Pruning Silver Spring MD

September 3, 2019  – It’s our distinct honor today to prune the Maryland State Champion Willow Oak (Quercus phellos) in Silver Spring, MD on a crisp September morning!

Japanese Clover in Beltsville, MD

Jul 3, 2019 – A common summer annual weed you can find in an untreated lawn is lespedeza or Japanese clover. Through a customized lawn program, mowing high throughout the summer, irrigating and core aeration with overseeding, all of these practices can combat this common summer weed. Contact SavATree to schedule a free consultation with a certified arborist!

Active Bagworms

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July 3, 2019 – Active bagworms are decimating many species of evergreens. If left untreated, the trees or shrubs will likely die. SavATree can treat them easily if caught in time. Common species include Leyland cypress, Arborvitae, blue spruce, and Cedar. Contact your local SavATree arborist to find out what you can do to combat the damage of this pest.

Blooming In Harmony

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July 3, 2019 – Always a delight to explore this historic property built circa 1840 in Hyattsville, MD! Here is a beautiful combination of bottlebrush buckeye and chaste tree on this estate both blooming together in harmony, both native to our area.

Tree Staking in  Laurel, MD

Laurel, MD Tree Service

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June 22, 2019 – Tree staking is popular. but what frequently occurs is that they are forgotten and not removed. This can injure or kill the tree when left on the trunk due to girdling. Trees need to learn how to stand on their own without support so my recommendation is to skip the tree staking and allow the tree to grow to stand on it’s own. If you would like advice on how to keep your trees healthy, contact your local SavATree arborist.

Armillaria Root Rot

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June 21, 2019 – In my experience, I have found that white oaks, although native, are being negatively impacted by Armillaria root rot. This tree has been in a slow decline for many years and this year, the black shoelace rhizomorphs were present along the soil line at the base of the tree, as pictured. I also found evidence of slime flux, which provides an extremely pungent odor. There is no cure for Armillaria root rot, which is a native fungus in the soil. However, it is critical to be aware of its potential impacts to the tree and your landscape. Our best defense is to maintain a healthy landscape through regular pruning maintenance, a plant health care program and annual evaluations by your SavATree Certified Arborist. Contact us today!

Improper Tree Trimming in Silver Spring, MD

Silver Spring MD Tree Trimming

June 4, 2019 – This tree in Silver Spring, MD is a great example of poor tree pruning practice. Topping is not an industry acceptable practice. Contractors who engage in this work are performing arboriculture malpractice. Topping weakens the tree and can contribute to its demise. And yes, someone wrapped the tree in foil…this doesn’t help either. Contact a professional arborist from SavATree and we’ll make sure your tree pruning is done properly and that your tree thrives, not declines, as a result! 

Trees Lower Stress Levels

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May 30, 2019 – As an arborist,  I can testify to the health benefits of being surrounded by trees for a living. This article presents a study that bolsters what I experience: the stress relieving qualities trees can offer. Not to mention the air we breathe! This is why it is so important to keep your trees healthy. Schedule a complimentary consultation with a certified arborist from SavATree and we’ll help you maintain the healthy and beauty of your property.

Morning Dew on Roses in Silver Spring, MD

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May 2, 2019 – Check out the beautiful pattern of morning dew on these roses this morning!

Camellias

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March 22, 2019 – Camellias are an excellent specimen shrub to add to your landscape. They provide vibrant blooms from Winter until Spring depending on the variety. Native to Eastern and Southern Asia they do well in our Mid-Atlantic Zone 7B. There are hundreds of species and thousands of hybrids. Typically they are deer resistant but with heavy deer pressure deer have been known to lightly snack on them. Overall an excellent evergreen, deer resistant, large flowering shrub for winter and early spring delight.  One of my favorites!

Hints of Spring

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March 1, 2019 – Despite the recent snowfall, the Hellebores are blooming in full force. Hellebores (Linten Rose) are a winter hardy, mostly evergreen, deer resistant perennial. They come in a plethora of colors. They are tolerant in zones 4-9. Hellebores are one of my all time favorite plants!

American Witch Hazel in Rockville, MD

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American Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) blooming brightly in Rockville, MD this week. Witch-hazel is a native under story shrub popular not only for it’s spectacular early flowering electric yellow blooms, but also for it’s medicinal benefits.

Pando’s Survival

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February 7, 2019 – Earth’s largest living fossil is a TREE! ‘Pando’ is an Aspen tree forest of 106 acres in Utah, which is connected by the same primary root that is technically the largest singular living organism and has been around for an estimated 80,000 years! It’s amazing that this tree has seen the world become what it is today from so long ago. But this ancient giant is struggling under the pressures of old age and over grazing from deer.

Bark Aesthetics

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February 7, 2019 – Next time you take a walk outside, try and find a moment to look at the bark on the trees. Each species of tree has its own special pattern of bark that can vary in many ways. For instance, when observing the bark of a River Birch and an American Sycamore, the differences are striking.

Why Do Trees Have Thorns?

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January 30, 2018 – During a recent trip to Cartagena, Colombia, we observed several trees with large thorns (as pictured). How do these species evolve and what is their purpose for developing thorns? These species have evolved over time to develop thorns as a defense mechanism against other predators so that the plant can survive. We have bred this characteristic out of some species such as Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis (Thornless Honeylocust). Sometimes these thorny species are used as a safety deterrent as well.

Winter Weather

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November 21, 2018 – It’a a week before Thanksgiving and already the Rockville, Maryland branch is seeing snow! All signs are pointing to an intense winter. Contact your SavATree Arborist for a complimentary assessment to ensure your trees are ready. This Ginkgo sure isn’t! Do you know if your trees are ready?

Bark Inclusion

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November 16, 2018 – Bark inclusion is a structural defect in the tree that can result in failure. This can be mitigated through a combination of pruning, cabling and bracing. Contact your SavATree Arborist for a consultation to determine if your property is at risk. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Volcano Mulching

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September 25, 2018 – Volcano mulching – don’t do it. Mulching your trees too much may cause more harm than good. Over mulching causes too much moisture to build up around the rootball of the tree; this can lead to fungus, rot and decay. If you have questions on how to take better care of your trees, contact your local SavATree arborist today!

Storm Damage

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September 25, 2018 – This summer was characterized by high temperatures, humidity and a lot of storms. These storms are not only frightening, but can also be dangerous. Take a look at this massive tree that fell on someone’s home. SavATree works hard to respond to all storm damage requests as soon as possible and have it taken care of in no time. Take preventative measures and talk to your local SavATree Arborist today to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Mushrooms on Trees

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September 25, 2018 – Timber! Another tree has fallen down. Do you notice something around the tree trunk? There are mushrooms. Mushrooms indicate root or trunk problems. Mushrooms typically grow on dead wood or rotting matter. If you see these types of mushrooms growing at the base of your trees, contact your local SavATree Arborist today; this may be an indication of a serious problem.

Nutsedge

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September 25, 2018 – What we have here is an example of Nutsedge that is currently invading everyone’s yard around this time of year. Nutsedge is a perennial, grass-like lawn weed. How do you know if you have Nutsedge? After you cut the grass, Nutsedge grows twice as fast, and if you do not cut your grass it will look like what Zach (our lawn technician in Rockville, MD) is holding. It also has a lime green color to it and grows in patches. SavATree performs 3 treatments a year to manage this weed. Contact your local arborist today to get a treatment plan and stop cutting your lawn twice a week!

Fall Webworms

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August 22, 2018 – Have you ever seen anything like this in your backyard? These are Fall Webworms, which are very unhealthy for your trees and shrubs. Webworms are caterpillars that feed on deciduous forest and shade trees including Mulberry, Elm, Poplar, Oak and fruit trees. Webworms produce silky webs which typically grow on the south side of tree crowns. These webs allow for the webworms to feed on your trees. For more information, contact your local SavATree Arborist.

Dodders

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August 16 2018 – It’s a beautiful day and you are enjoying a walk around your property. Suddenly, you see yellow yarn-like creature wrapped around your azaleas. What is this? These are Dodders, thread-like parasitic annual vines. These vary in shades of yellow, orange or red due to their lack of chlorophyll. This species is problematic for host plants such as herbaceous plants, chrysanthemums, azaleas, and cranberries. Dodders grow rapidly and wrap themselves all over the host plants, decimating them. Contact your local SavATree Arborist for Dodder management!

Chaste Tree

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July 6, 2018 – The Chaste Tree Has adapted to our southern zones and does not suffer from many insect or disease issues. The stunning blue spike flowers emerge around June or July in the mid Atlantic region. Great summer showstopper! 


Territory List:

Beltsville

Berwyn Heights

Calverton

College Park

Kensington

Riverdale

Silver Spring

Takoma Park

University Park

Wheaton