Foerster Tree Service is a family business owned and operated by Tim and Melanie Foerster. Melanie grew up here on a farm near Story City and then graduated from Iowa State University while Tim’s family operated a dairy farm in Wisconsin. (And yes - we milked cows two times a day, every day, Sundays and Christmas included. No exclusions, much to the kids’ dismay!)

After high school, Tim served six years in the US Navy, where he saw lots of water, repaired electronics, and enjoyed visiting interesting cities around the Mediterranean. Tim and Melanie met in Wisconsin, married in 1992, and have been blessed with six children. In 2000, they returned to central Iowa to work with Melanie’s family farm. Several years later they were able to purchase “RC’s 80” from Melanie’s great-aunt, continuing the tradition of raising cattle on grass.

Expanding into Tree Service

As we’ve looked at various avenues to diversify our small family farm, the opportunity to provide tree service arose through an unexpected source - the derecho storm that swept through Iowa in August 2020. While helping several friends clear storm damage, it became apparent that a tree service business would be a good fit for both our family and the farm.

Most of our life has been involved with stewarding the land and growing things - everything from alfalfa to zucchini, including cattle and kids! Healthy soil is crucial for raising healthy food and it is no less important for healthy trees. We are excited to expand on what we’ve learned in agriculture and apply many of the same principles to the maintenance of strong, beautiful trees.

In turn, the tree business benefits the farm! One of the byproducts of tree removal and brush chipping is lots of wood chips. These are commonly used as mulch, but on the farm they also make great bedding for our cows and eventually rich compost to spread on our pastures.