About Us
SBCA Tree Consulting strives to contribute to the implementation of sound urban forest management practices. The goal is to develop long lived valuable trees in a cost effective manner. This involves cultivating the use of appropriate planting methods, correct pruning techniques and knowledgeable care. There are many individuals and organizations that play a significant part in contributing to our knowledge base. We are grateful to be part of the modern arboriculture movement and wish to pass along the information vital to creating and maintaining vibrant communities.
Steve Batchelder
Consulting Arborist
WC ISA Certified Arborist #228
CaUFC Certified Urban Forester #134
California Contractor License (C-27) #533675
Member of the Arbor Day Foundation
Member of the California Native Plant Society
Steve began his journey in horticulture growing up in the Watsonville area and working in the lettuce fields as a teenager. After graduating from UC Berkeley as an Economics major in 1967, he went on to experience a number of educational and provoking jobs, including merchant seaman, private school teacher, construction, and nursery work at Suter Seedling Tree Nursery in St. Helena, Ca. Steve was head mechanic at Trefethen Vineyards in Napa and later supervised the mechanical harvesting operation for Domain Chandon in Yountville. In 1980, Steve started a tree trimming and landscape company, Tree Care. He received his California State Landscaping Contractor License and was certified as arborist #228 by the Western Chapter International Society of Arboriculture (WC ISA) in 1985. Steve sold his tree trimming service in 1990 and transitioned to consulting full time.
Steve is highly respected for his wealth of experience in trees and all aspects of arboriculture. He has the background and knowledge required to investigate, analyze, and offer sound advice for most tree related matters. Among some of Steve's special expertise are root related hardscape problems and the use of structural soil.
You can contact Steve directly at steve@sbcatree.com.
Molly Batchelder
Consulting Arborist
WE ISA Certified Arborist #9613A
ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
Molly graduated from Indiana University in 1998 with a BA in Religious Studies. After traveling and living in far away places, she returned home in 2009 to join her father in the business of trees. Her passions involve planting trees correctly, social justice, Archetypal Astrology, herbalism, and escaping to the wilderness.
Molly teaches the structural pruning class at Merritt College and works with local businesses and municipalities to support a more vibrant and robust urban forest.
You can contact Molly at molly@sbcatree.com
Matteo Lovik
Consulting Arborist
WE ISA Certified Arborist #14643A
Matteo’s journey with trees begin at a young age growing up in the central valley on citrus and stone fruit farms. He graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2008 with a BA in Fine Art and spent his 20’s working as an active travel guide North and Central America and exploring the world. His fascination of trees led him to arboriculture. Combining his artistic eye and experience as a structural pruner, Matteo loves the challenge of pruning as a form of sculpture. When not working in the tree world you can find Matteo making art and music, climbing rocks and trees, playing chess, and riding bikes.
You can contact Matteo at Matteo@sbcatree.com.
At SBCA we oppose Islamophobia, antisemitism, anti-blackness, and all forms of oppression that work to dehumanize people. We call for an immediate end to the genocidal war carried out by the State of Israel and the US government on the people of Palestine. As arborists, we stand in solidarity with the Palestinian olive farmers who are the cultural and environmental stewards of their ancestral land. We amplify the Right to Return for Palestinians, Land Back for all Indigenous Peoples, and believe that liberation for all people is predicated on the end of colonial occupation.
SBCA Tree Consulting stands in solidarity with the Movement for Black Lives. We renounce the systematic lynching of black and brown bodies by law enforcement, and support calls to defund the police, demilitarize communities and remove police from our schools. We commit on Juneteenth 2020 to begin our work to change the arboriculture industry to create career accessibility for black, indigenous, people of color.