About Us

Paul Pondella (Owner/CEO) is a native of Los Angeles. Having built his own three story tree house in the back yard of his family home and sharing the space with wild animals and birds including a wild raccoon and her cubs, it is safe to say that Paul’s destiny was evident even as a child. (More About Us). At the age of 18 he began mowing lawns for his neighbors which led to more extensive landscape maintenance work. Tree King Tree Service was born along with Designs Unlimited, a Landscape Maintenance Company.

In 1985 Paul chose to become an expert in the arbor care field and focus on maintaining the growing giants and providing tree care and education to his clients all over the Los Angeles Basin. He is an active member of the International Society of Arbor Culture (www.isa-arbor.com), Tree Care Industry Association (www.tcia.org), and he is a licensed contractor specializing in custom designed tree maintenance programs. On a regular basis, Paul consults the City of Los Angeles and State of California on commercial and residential tree maintenance, planting, removal and pruning projects.

Jose Valdez (Senior Supervisor) sits second in command next to Paul and supervises all field operations. Jose is originally from El Salvador and became a US Citizen and has worked diligently to build a life here. He is a proud husband and father of four as well as a mentor to the men and women who work with him.

Jose started his journey caring for trees with Paul in 1985. Over the past 2 1/2 decades Jose has become a vital part of the growth, structure and stability of Tree King Trees, Inc. The quality of his tree care is exemplary and the quality of his professionalism helps to nurture and maintain long term relationships with clients as well.

Jonathan Araya (Sales Representative) originally from Costa Rica, started with Tree King in 1999 as a senior mechanic, managing and maintaining the fleet of equipment. He also worked as second in command with Jose Valdez in field operations. As Tree King continued to grow, Jonathan started integrating management of field operations with developing long term client relationships. His knowledge and understanding of the tree maintenance programs that Tree King is known for is outstanding.

Currently Jonathan works second in command with Paul evaluating and preparing tree maintenance programs, as well as field manager to a large group of selected Tree King clients. He is a valued and respected member of the Tree King family. Jonathan is a husband and father of four as well as an educator to the Tree King crew working in the field.

Paul Pondella with Colette Duvall and Mimi Williams,
his in-house marketing team.

Office Staff

Xochitl Padilla
Mimi Williams