It all began in 2012 when founder and operator, Nick Lewandowski, joined a conservation crew for U.S. Veterans in Tucson, Arizona. The conservation crew taught him the foundations of tree work and environmental stewardship. He spent the next several years working on a fire engine and interagency Hotshot crew as a wildland firefighter, where Nick grew his skills felling trees while working in high stress environments. It was on the hotshot crew that Nick earned his nickname "Dark Horse" for his strength in addition to his quiet, hardworking, and tenacious nature.

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Nick got into traditional tree work after starting his family and moving to Ohio. He spent over 6 years working on residential jobs and on utility lines as a General Foreman for a large company before starting his own business, Dark Horse. His background has given him a wealth of experience and knowledge that we know customers will appreciate.