Durham, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas
a family owned & operated, small business
Caring for the Triangle's canopy since 2007
About Us
Residential & Commercial
We Care About the Details
We Care About the Details
Our residential clientele is the foundation of STC and continues to be a driving force in our success. While we are here for your removal and pruning needs, our certified arborists are adamant in sharing knowledge in tree preservation to maintain the overall health and safety of our area's signature trees.
While we are a small business,
Our residential clientele is the foundation of STC and continues to be a driving force in our success. While we are here for your removal and pruning needs, our certified arborists are adamant in sharing knowledge in tree preservation to maintain the overall health and safety of our area's signature trees.
While we are a small business, STC has completed large scale pruning and removal projects for but not limited to Duke University, the Town of Wake Forest and Carolina Meadows. Don't let "small business" fool you, as STC has the crew, equipment and experience necessary to complete any project big or small with the speed and precision other companies admire.
We Care About the Details
We Care About the Details
We Care About the Details
Your satisfaction is our priority and we strive to provide a service we are proud of. Our process begins with providing a thorough consultation to understand your expectations and the needs of the project.
Our company pays special attention to the details of every project to ensure the complete satisfaction of each client. We make every
Your satisfaction is our priority and we strive to provide a service we are proud of. Our process begins with providing a thorough consultation to understand your expectations and the needs of the project.
Our company pays special attention to the details of every project to ensure the complete satisfaction of each client. We make every effort to leave as minimal a footprint as possible. Can't fell a tree, no problem! Our expertise in controlled rigging will leave you in awe. Saturated yard? From the ground protection we'll lay to protect your property to the equipment selection available to minimize ruts and damage, STC will make the right decision for you, your project, and your property.
Safety & Certifications
We Care About the Details
Safety & Certifications
STC maintains all the proper insurance certificates and qualifications necessary to protect you and your property under any circumstances. Proof of insurance can be provided at your request.
Mike's career began in the United Kingdom where the tree care industry requires strict training and qualifications that are next to none in the worl
STC maintains all the proper insurance certificates and qualifications necessary to protect you and your property under any circumstances. Proof of insurance can be provided at your request.
Mike's career began in the United Kingdom where the tree care industry requires strict training and qualifications that are next to none in the world.
The training provided by the NPTC, National Proficiency Test Council, has helped Mike shape STC's safety protocol and ability to train and educate all employees with the highest standards available.
Meet the crew
Mike Skillin - Owner/Operator
Mike founded STC in 2007 and has since grown his reputation throughout the Triangle as one of the most efficient operators and committed preservationists in our region's industry. After 20 years experience, his ability to breakdown challenging and complex projects into their simplest approach sets him apart from our competitors. An arborist's arborist, Mike has proven himself as the go to solution when projects appear too difficult for others to safely and efficiently execute. If they can't do it, he can.
Ron - Foreman
A cornerstone of STC, Ron has been with our company since the beginning. From our log truck, bucket truck, stump grinder or CTX loader, he can jump on any piece of equipment and get the job done. While he's known for his banter with the crew and sincerely spirited interactions with customers, he's certainly earned his title for his hard work, commitment and loyalty could never go unnoticed.
Joshua - Arborist / Climber
Joshua first worked in the tree care industry at the age of eighteen, spending his last summer before college as a groundman for a local tree service. After graduating from NC State with a BA in English in 2004, he spent a couple years touring the country as a drummer for several local and regional bands. To supplement his income, he went back to his old job as a groundman and was subsequently placed on a crew with Mike and Ron. Over the next three years, Joshua learned how to climb, then eventually quit to pursue work as a contract climber and his arborist certification. He worked for several local companies in that time, including Skillin Tree Care, until he finally decided to make the transition to full-time crew leader with STC in October of 2018. He lives in Durham, where he was born and raised, with his wife and son.
Liz
Liz began her professional career working for a financial planner in New York City after graduating from NYU in 2000 with a degree in economics. After 9/11, she moved south to be closer to family, finding a job in Chapel Hill connecting overseas teachers with positions in North Carolina. She and Josh met around this time and started dating, coinciding with her decision to pursue a dual Master's degree in Social Work and Public Health at UNC-Chapel Hill. Following graduation, Liz and Josh got married, and Liz worked for a project assisting developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to use their health data to take care of orphans and vulnerable children. Eventually, Liz and Josh decided to start their own family, and Liz left corporate America to focus her energies on raising their son. She has recently returned to the working world by assisting Skillin Tree Care with sales coordination and office maintenance.
Nick - Arborist / Climber
Nick has been a certified arborist since 2019, obtained his ISA's Tree Risk Assessment Qualification in 2021 and has been climbing trees professionally since 2016. He comes to the tree care industry with a variety of other professional experiences including an 8 year career in wilderness education and a Master's Degree in Folklore and Historic Preservation from Western Kentucky University. Outside of STC, Nick leads wilderness trips primarily for Outward Bound in the US and Canada and regularly writes for the Michigan State University Museum about wooden boat building and indigenous textile art and dance regalia. He lives in Durham with his wife and daughters and has been an invaluable addition to the STC family.
Tom
Introducing Ron's brother! Tom has been with STC since 2020 and quickly became our expert Avant operator. Your landscape is in the best hands when Tom is navigating material around your property.
mike operating our tree-mek crane in downtown durham
meet the skillins
Carys, Brooke, Evelyn, Noah & Mike - Summer 2019
Mike & Brooke live in Chapel Hill with their 4 children, Carys, Noah, Evelyn, and Sawyer. When Mike is off the tools and Brooke out of the office, they spend most of their free time camping & fishing NC, TN & VA parks and waters . Born and raised in North Wales, Mike spent his time fly fishing and has continued his passion exploring the trout waters of the U.S. Before focusing on family and STC, Brooke's education at Meredith College in Raleigh lead her to a 12 year career in ABA Therapy working with children on the Autism Spectrum.