A Legacy of Tree Care Spanning Four Generations

4th Generation Tree is built on a deep-rooted family tradition of tree care expertise that has been passed down for over six decades. Our history begins in 1959, when Richard (Dick) Alvarez founded Arbor Tree Surgery in Paso Robles, CA, setting the foundation for professional tree care on the Central Coast.

Beyond his work as a pioneer in the tree care industry, Richard Alvarez was also the co-founder of the Tree Trimmer’s Jamboree, now known as the Tree Climbing Competition, which has grown into a global event within the arboriculture community. First held in June 1973, the Jamboree was created by Richard Alvarez and Bailey Hudson to provide arborists with a competitive and exciting way to showcase their climbing skills. Hosted by Arbor Tree Surgery, the first-ever Jamboree took place at Lake Atascadero Park, where competitors put their expertise to the test in a series of challenging events.

The Jamboree’s rapid success led to its expansion, with multiple competitions taking place across California in the following years. By 1975, the event had grown to include over 500 spectators and 37 participants, featuring new events such as roping accuracy and aerial rescue, both of which set safety and skill standards still used in modern competitions. Today, the Tree Climbing Competition is a globally recognized event, continuing to honor arborists, promote safety, and elevate the profession—a lasting legacy of Richard Alvarez’s passion for tree care.

A Family Tradition of Arboriculture & Competition

Following in Richard Alvarez’s footsteps, Steve Alvarez started his career at Arbor Tree Surgery before founding A&T Arborists and Vegetation Management in 2003. For over 60 years, Steve has been a trusted name in tree care, serving residential, commercial, municipal, and utility clients across the Central Coast.

Meanwhile, Chuck Scovell, another leader in our family’s tree care legacy, also began his career at Arbor Tree Surgery before establishing Scovell Tree Surgery in the 1980s. For decades, Chuck provided expert tree care to homeowners, businesses, and municipalities before retiring just a few years ago.

Both Steve and Chuck were renowned competitors in the Tree Jamboree, winning numerous Axeman Awards and Championships throughout California. Their skills as top-tier climbers and tree care professionals helped push industry standards forward while solidifying the family’s reputation as some of the best arborists in the state.

The Next Generation

Today, Morgan Scovell and Casey Guenther lead 4th Generation Tree with a bold vision: combining time-tested tree care practices with cutting-edge innovation, environmental responsibility, and industry-leading professionalism.

Morgan Scovell is the founder of 4th Generation Tree. As an ISA Certified Arborist, Licensed Contractor, and Qualified Applicator, he brings hands-on expertise in tree health, risk assessment, large-scale vegetation management, and wildfire mitigation. Morgan’s background includes direct field experience, public safety contracting, and building scalable tree care operations throughout California. His leadership ensures that every job is rooted in science, safety, and results.

Casey Guenther, co-founder and strategic business lead, holds a Master’s Degree in Business from Saint Mary’s College and a degree in Business from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo — one of the top agricultural schools in the nation. With a strong foundation in operations, finance, and organizational growth, Casey ensures the company runs efficiently while maintaining the high standards the family name is known for.

Together, Morgan and Casey have built 4th Generation Tree into a trusted partner for homeowners, municipalities, utilities, and commercial clients — delivering expert tree care and sustainable vegetation management across California.

At 4th Generation Tree, we take pride in our family’s decades of dedication to tree care, competition, and innovation. Whether serving homeowners, businesses, municipalities, or utilities, we bring experience, expertise, and passion to every job.