Background, letters, testimonials & thank you
As a service, M. D. Vaden began 1988, in Beaverton, Oregon. My landscape and tree experience stretches back before 1980, coupled with college education for the same profession. Then in 2016 our family and business moved to the Rogue Valley around Jacksonville, Medford and Ashland. I entered horticulture in the 1980s at golf courses. Next was university campus landscape horticulture, followed residential landscaping. Business began in 1988, helping hundreds of homeowners throughout Oregon and the Pacific NW. That experience and work extended throughout Oregon; the Portland metro area, Medford, Klamath, Brookings - even Crescent City, CA and Longview WA. But most work remains local in southern Oregon. Other work included assisting researchers in Redwood National Park to measure world's tallest trees. I also enjoy wedding photography and portraits.
Past and present duties include certified arborist, horticulturist, landscape designer, golf course superintendent, greenskeeper, consultant, research assistant and photographer.
Continue reading below for excerpts from various references and testimonials from 1980 and forward, from a wide variety of professionals, customers and others.
Cheers,
Mario Vaden
Letter
Homeowner - March 6, 2009
Medford, Oregon
Mario did a fantastic job. I had a big big problem with my Red October Glory, it split towards the top. With his eye bolts and cables he was able to bring my sagging tree back to life. I have used him the past 3 years. He does outstanding work and my neighbors have used him since I found him. He has the best rates in Jackson County and trust me, I have received estimates from others. Great arborist ...
Mike
Letter
OREGON STATE GOVERNOR - THEODORE R. KULONGOSKI
November 30, 2005
Dear Mr. Vaden
Thank you for your six years of service to the State Landscape Contractors Board. Your talent, experience and input to the board has been very beneficial.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation for your work. Thank you for your time, talent and effort in this important role, and for your willingness to be involved in public service.
I commend you for your unselfish contribution to the citizens of the State of Oregon.
Sincerely,
THEODORE R. KULONGOSKI
Governor
Reference
PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE - September 11, 1985
To the Landscape Contractors Advisory Board, RE: Mario Vaden
He has assisted me with two landscape jobs and I was pleased with his expertise and ability to work ...... I personally have found Mario to be very interested in and dedicated to the landscape industry.
Sincerely,
Mr. John Wirth, Department Chairman: Agriculture, Construction, Science
Letter
Homeowner & Forest Ecologist PhD - March 24, 2019
Medford, Oregon
I can't thank Mario enough for showing up this past February and gracing out place (and us) with his knowledge of vegetation and ... landscaping expertise.
This guy knows his "stuff", folks! He's an arborist extraordinaire ... especially the Japanese Maple. You should see the job he did on ours after years of neglect! ... Give him a call if you want a caring "touch" ... the price is right, too. And be sure to ask about his photography ...
Jim Titus & Carol Arnold
Reference
UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND - February 15, 1985
Portland, Oregon
To whom it may concern:
Mario Vaden has been employed in my department since June 1984 ...... we have found Mario to be reliable, dependable and hard working. I think you will be satisfied if you consider hiring him.
Sincerely,
Lowell Cordas, Grounds Superintendent
Letter
Administrator: Online Seminars for Municipal Arborists - November, 2006
www.on-line-seminars.comHi Mario,
I just thought you might like to know that your article has produced more comments and is the most popular article ever featured on the Seminars ... more than most articles get in the average two month Seminar... I am even getting emails from people about your article. They are all telling me how good it is and are there any more like this coming. Do you have another topic you would like to write about?
Thanks again for thinking about the Seminars when you wanted to publish.
Len Phillips
Letter
Arborist - December 18, 2009
Johannesburg, South Africa
Hey Mario!
This is Leon ....... just to say again how grateful I am for you taking us for a jaunt in the redwoods yesterday.
It was for me truly awesome and worth every minute. If I had been on my own I would have just seen a bunch of big trees and not known what I was looking at ... Awesome!
Just so you know, I have to tell you that Tracy and I decided to do the walk today you recommended ...
That was good advice. We kinda walked quite fast, so were done in just around 2 hours but it was great to have the sun streaming though the canopy.
Leon Visser
Reference
ROCK CREEK COUNTRY CLUB - February 28, 1983
Portland, Oregon
To whom it may concern,
... Even with the adverse weather conditions of the winter of 1982 - 1983, Mario maintained the golf course in equivalent, if not better, condition than during the previous winter with less manhours and less fuel consumption ...
Paul Gabrilis, Owner
Reference
SUMMERFIELD GOLF COURSE Tigard, Oregon
January 10, 1985
... Mario did a fine job for me and his enthusiasm especially in the tree maintenance department was quite commendable ...
Rick, Sullivan, Superintendent
Letter
BROOKINGS HARBOR GARDEN CLUB - February 22, 2007
Brookings, Oregon
Dear Mario Vaden,
Thank you for taking the time to come and speak at our meeting. As you could tell from the response of our members your presentation was well received. We all learned so much about pruning trees and shrubs.
The Brookings - Harbor Garden Club,
John Sullivan, Corresponding Secretary
Letter
Redwood Motel - June, 8, 2011
Grants Pass , Oregon
Dear Mario,
I'd like to thank you for selecting the Redwood Motel for your stay in Grants Pass. To say the least it was fortuitous and mutually beneficial. We were especially honored when you returned to stay a second night with your associates ...
We appreciated water saving ideas and especially your suggestions for repairing damaged and distressed trees. We were amazed by the things that you found that were in need of attention that had gone unnoticed by our landscaping crew ... looking forward to collaborating with you ...
Sincerely,
Frank von Coelln,
Owner
Letter
Homeowner - October 16, 2009
West Linn, Oregon
Hi Mario! Hoping this note finds you well and happy! ...... OK - here's the scoop: since Justin, Scotty and Brad had to hear so much today about how thrilled we are with the work you did here on these trees, it seems only fair I tell you how blown away I am with them too!
They were beyond awesome ...... I just can't stop smiling at what y'all (together) have worked here in this yard. ...... making me even happier about getting to move here! ...
All best wishes - more later - and be calling you again in a few months!
Most sincerely,
J. Pritchard
Letter
American Forests Magazine - October , 2015
Washington, D.C.
Mario,
Thank you so much for participating in our Trees Please Photo Contest!
Your image was gorgeous and we were thrilled to feature it in our Fall Magazine.
I hope you enjoy these copies, and certaily hope that you'll enter again next time!
Best Wishes,
Ashlan Bonnell,
Managing Editor
Letter
INTERNATIONAL DUNES COMPANY - September 13, 1985
Portland, Oregon
Mr. Vaden is a competent and knowledgeable landscaper and we will consult with him about any further problems we might have with the grounds ...
L. Lusk
Letter
Homeowner - June, 2011
Wilsonville, Oregon
Mario is great to work with and he really knows soil!
Our backyard was a swampy mess most of the year. After digging a few small holes, Mario showed me the soil's structure at different depths. He explained how each depth had probably gotten that way.
About a foot down was a region so dense that water could barely get through it, hence the soupy yard.
The solution was to drill a set of evenly spaced holes deep enough to get beyond the packed zone to the good looking soil beneath. Filling the holes with coarse sand gave the water a channel and yet let the grass grow back over.
It has been a particularly damp spring and the holes have done the trick. No more swamp. The yard is usable almost all yearlong.
B. Shaw
Letter
Homeowner - D. McCutcheon - November 7, 1989
Beaverton, Oregon
Just a brief note to thank you again for the very professional job you did in pruning the hedges. We did not believe you would have so much material to remove but the "finished product" is excellent and the subject of several very, very favorable comments around the neighborhood ...
D. McCutcheon
Letter
Homeowner - P. Doherty
Wilsonville, Oregon
February, 2004
Dear Mario, After your phone call I braced myself to see the shrubs. Jim and I both love them! And the cherry tree looks so much better. My neighbor, Mrs. Sher, gave her approval too! Thank you.
Sincerely,
P. Doherty
Letter regarding family portraits
Newlyweds - April, 2015
San Francisco , California
Hi Mario !
Thank so much for the great pictures!
We really appreciate your time and effort and had a great time with you in the redwoods
Thanks,
C. & E. Bentzen
Letter
Homeowner - February, 1998
Tigard, Oregon
Mario has always been prompt, diligent and very dependable. We have always been happy with his work especially his creativity in the application of his skills. He is a very professional and skilled arborist...
We would not hesitate to recommend Mario for any pursuit ...
J. Chandler
Letter
Homeowner - July, 2003
Oregon
Thank you so very much. It looks wonderful, you really did and excellent job. We will keep you in mind, when our next outdoor project comes up...
C. & S. Marshall
Letter
Homeowner - L. Mullen - October 12, 2003
Portland, Oregon
Great job of opening up Mom's back and side yard. What a difference......The gal that lives in the house was shocked - she had no idea the yard was so big.
L. Mullen
Letter about 8 acres habitat, 1 acre landscaped, 450 trees with 19 irrigation zones
Homeowner - August 28, 2014
West Linn, Oregon
... Thank you thank you thank you!
Jack and I have been living here since August 2011 and this is the first time we have a coherent, intelligent picture of the irrigation system.
Until you came on board, we were totally in the dark ...
... Thank you again !!!!!
Cecie
Letter
Homeowner - March 15, 2004
Portland, Oregon
Thank you again for the beautiful work! We've mentioned you to all of our friends, and encouraged them to tell their friends.
Warmest Regards,
S. Burch
Letter
Homeowner - September, 1985
Gaston, Oregon
To whom in may concern:... I was very impressed with Mr. Vaden's work, which was performed quickly and efficiently in a very professional manner.
Sincerely,
C. Hendrickson
Letter 26
Homeowner - April, 1998
Charbonneau, Oregon
Thank you so much for getting in touch with us regarding pruning.We are in Maui right now, however, you can do the pruning any time.... After the wonderful job you did with all our pine trees and everything else, I was so dissappointed when you told us you were leaving, and I just kept procrastinating on calling someone else to to it. Now, I'm glad I didn't do it.
Sincerely yours,
L. Marsden
Letter
101 THINGS TO DO HUMBOLDT - April, 1998
Eureka, California
Mario,
Thanks for the use of this photo for the cover.
I love it ...
Denise
Myrtle Avenue, Eureka, California
Letter
Homeowner - February 1998
Beaverton, Oregon
To whom it may concern, Mario Vaden has done pruning for us ... as well as at a rental home that I manage ... 1990 through 1997. His work is in the superior range.
He is honest, fair and trustworthy and takes great pride in doing good work for you. Since his move ... I have no idea who I might emjoy of his caliber & work ethic. Thank you.
A. Martin
Letter
Homeowner - July, 2004
Tigard, Oregon
Thanks. Trees look great and the monkey puzzle makes us both sleep easier.
Mr. "D"
Reference
Homeowner - February, 1998
Tigard, Oregon
To the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board
Mario Vaden ... His work was excellent. He kept us informed of the progress as he worked. He explained what he was doing and why. And he fulfilled the work on time and on budget. In addition, he took the time to walk the property with us, to identify each tree by type and characteristics, and recommended landscaping concepts, some of which we adoped in later work on the property.
I consider him to be a fine professional, and a pleasure to deal with, and would recommend him to any employer
D. Kidd
Letter
Home & business owner - August 27, 2008
Hillsboro, Oregon
I recommend Mario Vaden highly.
He is a talented individual who enjoys what he does and it shows in his work. He took some very poorly maintained trees and bushes at our house and improved the look of them 100%. He is on my list of very skilled and knowledgeable people.
C. Milne, Computer Craft Designs of Oregon
Letter about print canvas
Artist - Septermber 14, 2014
Crescent City , California
Mario,
Thank you so much!
I'm enjoying the photo of Smith River!
God bless you & your family.
Sorry this took so long ... but I had an accident ... still recuperating.
Thanks again!
Bettie Belitz
Reference
Homeowner - January 26, 1998
Washington County, Oregon
(To) Oregon State Contractors Board:
To whom it may concern,
Mario is very knowledgeable in his field, and willing to share this with those for whom he works. We have always found his work well done, and the clean up extra careful. He is an excellent workman who takes pride in his craft. We became good friends over the years.
Sincerely,
Mr. Donald Nichols
Letter
Veterinarian - August 15, 2010
Hawaii
I was just reading the line on your webpage on safe and toxic woods for birds about how it is one of your most visited pages.
As a veterinarian who has links to that page for my clients, I probably contribute to that traffic.
Thank you for providing the information that helps humans keep their birds safer.
Aloha
S. F. Nakaya, DVM
Letter
Homeowner - December 18, 2009
NW Oregon
I was not even sure what a French Drain was, but knew it would provide some insurance for my house on a hill.
M. D. Vaden came out, assessed the need, designed the drain, constructed the drain, and left the area looking way better than it looked when the project started. He was very easy to work with, and I'd recommend hm to anyone.
J. Merrick
www.jeffmerrick.com
Letter
Traveler - October 28, 20129
North Carolina
Hi Mario, I just had to pass along some thanks for all of the incredible information you provided on your website about the Redwoods. My wife and I came out from North Carolina.
This was our second California trip in 3 years ... I did extensive research online. I found your website to be absolutely the best source of anything, and it led us to some really incredible areas ...
... Just wanted to say thanks !
Brett Dupree
Charlotte, NC
Letter
Model - January 24, 2014 - Camas, Washington
Mario is truly a breath of fresh air in the world of photographers!
His professionalism and willingness to learn and expand his talents are a few of the main things that permeate each shoot.
He is very respectful and willing to adapt to your comfort level while maintaining a sense of humor. I give my highest regards to his talent and ability ...
Alley Blom
~ Letter from G. F. Beranek, photographer and author
Author
Ft. Bragg , California
August 6, 2013
Mario, thank you so much for the prompt corrections in your blog.
It means a lot to me to keep things accurate ...
Your photography keeps getting better and better.
I regard you as one of the great redwood photographers.
G. F. Beranek
