About Mike Lair

Mike Lair is the Crew Production Manager at Seattle Tree Care, where he’s built a reputation for leading with skill, focus, and heart. He’s an ISA Certified Arborist, Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ), and holds a Journeyman Powerline Clearance credential. With decades of field experience under his harness, Mike trains climbers, refines processes, and keeps safety front and center—every single day.

Originally from California, Mike has worked and lived all over the country—Nebraska, Kentucky, Arizona, Colorado—before finding his home in the Pacific Northwest. He’s obsessed with every detail of arboriculture: from gear and rigging setups to soil health and tree biology. He also serves on the board of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of ISA as the Council of Representatives, helping connect local voices to the global arborist community.

Mike also chairs Seattle Tree Care’s Safety Committee and plays a hands-on role in training climbers at every level. For him, arboriculture isn’t just a career—it’s a craft he’s committed to, both on and off the jobsite. He’s just as focused on supporting the people doing the work as he is on caring for the trees themselves. Mike believes that great tree care is built on skill, communication, and respect—for the crew, the client, and the trees they’re entrusted to protect.

Whether he’s walking a homeowner through a pruning plan or teaching a climber how to rig a complex removal, Mike brings clarity, purpose, and real-world know-how to every interaction.

Certifications

• ISA Certified Arborist PN- 9712A
• Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ)
• Journeyman Powerline Clearance Arborist

Industry Memberships

• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
• Board Member, PNW-ISA (ISA Council of Representatives)

Presentations

• Scheduled speaker at ISA 2025 International Conference in New Zealand
• Speaker at ISA 2024 Conference in Atlanta