In this episode Shain hosts two military veterans—Remus a Ranger Qualified Airborne Jumpmaster, and Duke a US Army Drill Sergeant—to explore how military leadership, training and accountability can be applied to tree crews and small arborist businesses.

They discuss practical topics like morale and retention, setting standards, counseling and talent management, plus on-the-ground parallels between high-performance military teams and residential tree operations.

Disclaimer: This podcast is not in any affiliation of any U.S Government entity. Remus and Duke appear in this episode in their personal capacities as private citizens and veterans. The views and opinions expressed are their own and do not represent the official policy or position of the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, Department of War, or any U.S. government agency. This content is for general discussion and is not official guidance.

Episode 7 of the Oklahoma Tree Guys features Mark Cafiero of Timber Tree discussing marketing for arborists and how AI can help trades businesses. They compare corporate, systems-based marketing with small-business guerrilla tactics, explain how to level out seasonal sales dips, and share practical lead-gen workflows using Google Ads, web forms, and AI-driven ballpark estimates.

Takeaways include focusing your value proposition and website to speak to homeowners, creating a standout service offering, using AI as a consultant and qualifier (watch for hallucinations and learn prompt engineering), and prioritizing business refinement and efficiency over raw growth. A hands-on AI workshop (Nov 29) is also mentioned for deeper training.

In this engaging episode of the Oklahoma Tree Guys podcast, we welcome Conner Mercer, also known as the golden child of Oklahoma City Metro Tree Guys as he is commonly called. Conner shares his captivating life journey from his career in the Marine Corps to stumbling into the world of arboriculture. Discover how he transitioned from climbing cell phone towers to establishing his own tree service business and creating a name in the region.

The episode delves into Conner's insights on small business success, the dynamics of contract climbing, and the necessities for subcontract administrative steps, including essential paperwork filings and best practices. Mercer sheds light on the network of support among tree services and the importance of professionalism in the industry.

Listeners also gain an inside look into the Oklahoma City Arbor Rescue event, exploring the significance of community events and safety in the arborist field. Conner's story is not just about business growth, but also about fostering a thriving community of professional arborists in Oklahoma.