Katie Harper, ISA Certified Arborist
Territory and Services:
Katie operates out of SavATree’s Tampa branch and provides tree care services to Fishhawk, Fawn Ridge, Oakford Park, Ballast Point, Arbor Greene, Cheval and Steward Manor, FL. Some popular services that she offers to her clients in the Tampa Area include tree removal, tree pruning, tree fertilization and disease management, and organic tree and shrub services. If you are in need of any services to keep your property beautiful and healthy, contact Katie. She will come out to your property and set up a custom tree and shrub care program for your property.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (813) 493-6286
Education:
Katie earned her degree in Agriculture Science with minors in Arboriculture, Leadership Development, and International Agriculture from the Pennsylvania State University.
Qualifications:
Katie has proudly been an International Society of Arboriculture, Certified Arborist (PD- 2309A) since 2014.
Her background in the industry includes plant health care, diagnostics in a lab and in the field, safety and training, recruiting, consulting, and working in UF/IFAS Cooperative Extension.
Industry Involvement/Awards/Certifications:
Katie is actively involved with the International Society of Arboriculture, assisting with tree climbing competitions and local events. She has competed in the National Collegiate Landscaping Competition, through the National Association of Landscape Professionals as a student and have also assisted in running the event as a professional.
Notable Work:
Research Technician for the paper, “Effects of Emerald Ash Borer Infestation on the Structure and Material Properties of Ash Trees” – Persad, et al
Cared for the Elms in the Ellipse in Washington D.C. (image – me in front of the White House)
UF IFAS Pasco County – Webinar Series on young tree care: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvPe6uFF46OMDR0cP2gO2E8OyKihUgC8P
Personal:
Katie was born and raised in central Pennsylvania, with her three younger brothers. She attended Penn State, originally majoring in Animal Science, with an equine minor before discovering her love for trees during a tree climbing class.
She has lived and worked in State College, PA, Manassas, VA, Strasburg, VA, as well as in the Upper Valley of New Hampshire before moving to Florida in April of 2020. She misses the mountains and the seasons, but is also loving the sunshine and the fact that something is always in bloom!
She now lives in eastern Pasco County, with her boyfriend, Brian. They share their home with Ginger the dog, Cleo the cat, and most notably – Dewey the Juliana pig! Oh, and all of her plants. She may have a soft spot for cactuses and succulents.
Why Did You Become an Arborist?
“I have a distinct memory of my neighbor growing up, having an arborist out to look at their row of spruce and fir trees. I now know that trees in the right locations can act as privacy screens, reduce stormwater runoff, be wind and noise breaks, and provide shade. But, as a teenager, hearing that trees can provide a specific dollar amount of “benefits” was intriguing to me. That interaction stuck with me and I still think about it to this day.
Fast forward a few years to my sophomore year at Penn State, where I was taking a Tree Climbing class within the College of Agriculture, which I was using as “gym credits”. I met many professional arborists through that class while building my climbing skills. I realized that when you work with trees, you get to be outdoors and each tree is an individual, so every day gets to be unique. I loved the fact that my work could be both physically and mentally challenging.
I leapt at the opportunity at an internship in the field of Arboriculture that summer and I never turned back! This industry is challenging and rewarding, and I love that I get to do my part in educating folks on the care required to have healthy, sound, and beautiful trees!”
Your Customer Service Philosophy:
“My goal is to work with you to identify your priorities and connect you with the very best solutions to ensure your satisfaction and the wellness of the tree in question.”
Community Involvement & Other Notable Information:
Katie has acted as a judge and technician at multiple national and international tree climbing competitions. “It was amazing being a part of this amazing community!”
She was previously a runner when she lived “up north”, competing in multiple half marathons, Ragnar Relays, trail races, and the Chicago Marathon. She now enjoys picking up heavy things! She currently trains for Olympic Weightlifting, and CrossFit.
Fun Fact:
Katie spent a month in Costa Rica, living with a host family, studying the Spanish language, and touring the key agriculture industries in the country – coffee, bananas, pineapple, and more!
