We’ve made many friends along the way

Testimonials

“Plantwise has been helping us naturalize our lawn since 1998, when we wanted some relief from mowing our 1.3 acre yard and planted a little patch of prairie wildflowers. Since then, we’ve expanded the prairie part of our yard to about half the yard, and Plantwise planners worked out a planting and management plan with us so that our yard will soon mimic an oak savanna, complete with all of Michigan’s oak and hickory species, many of its shrubs, and of course myriad wildflowers and grasses. We also created a native sedge garden and a Michigan spring flora bed along the front. Their expertise and dependability has us coming back every year for more native landscaping, burning, and weed removal.”

Kris Olsson

Ann Arbor Township Resident

“PlantWise has conducted burns for the Outdoor Discovery Center Macatawa Greenway since 2001. Their crew is very knowledgeable and always very professional. Our many properties pose challenges with boardwalks, buildings, wooded and aquatic habitats and they have always performed as promised – delivering safe and quality service. After 13 years of working with PlantWise we have seen a significant decline in invasive species on properties and an increase in native plant diversity. We highly recommend PlantWise as a quality resource for prescribed burning and habitat management.”

Travis Williams

Executive Director, Outdoor Discovery Center Macatawa Greenway

“The PlantWise team has been reliably and safely burning our 2.5 acres since the spring of 2000, and we couldn’t be happier. With their annual burning, periodic consultation, and native landscape expertise (and some of our own hard work!), our own landscape has progressed by leaps and bounds towards greater plant and animal diversity. The window for burning can open and close quickly due to weather, thus communication from the burn team is key, and in this regard Plantwise has always excelled. They are efficient, friendly, and professional. Highly recommended!”

Rob French

Dexter Resident

“My wife Roberta and I own 11 acres of land that include upland areas, a pond, and a wetlands with a small stream. Sadly, it was filled with a variety of invasive species, the worst of them being Asian bittersweet. It was literally wiping out areas…until I contacted PlantWise. David Mindell assessed the situation and sent out a team of hardworking, conscientious, friendly workers to get rid of the unwanted species. There is still more work to be done but the difference already is dramatic. Whole areas have opened up and we can now walk through our property without the stress caused by the invasive species taking over.”

Lee Burton

Brighton Resident

“The PlantWise crew has been nothing short of amazing to work with on invasive species removal and habitat restoration projects at our nature preserves. Their professionalism on the ground is represented by surgical and economical herbicide treatments, precise and effective controlled burns, and insightful native plant restoration. Our staff and board of directors have been consistently impressed by David and his crew and their good work on the ground!”

Trevor Edmunds

Land Protection Specialist, Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy

“I’ve worked with PlantWise for the past 5 years on a project where they are performing invasive species eradication/native restoration in a diverse and difficult site, and I am impressed with the dedication, efficiency, honesty, and hard work of David and his crew. The difference their efforts have made on this site in just a few years is significant. Their company is the first name out of my mouth when asked for a native plant maintenance resource.”

Carol Schulte

SmithGroupJJR

“PlantWise and I are completing our second year of creating a large prairie and series of rain gardens in my backyard. Cayla developed designs, solicited my thoughts, and paid attention to my ideas and feedback. Working with her and her very knowledgeable crew was a pleasure. Most importantly, the results are spectacular–a succession of blooms for visual interest and a continuous parade of insects, birds, butterflies, and pollinators.”

Maurita Peterson Holland

Ann Arbor Resident

“I appreciate the great work you and your staff have done in support of our campus invasive plant species management efforts through your use of controlled burning, targeted herbicide applications and the planting of desirable plant species. I look forward to working with you and your company again this year.”

Marvin Pettway

Supervisor, Forestry & Horticulture Maintenance, U of M

“I spent several happy moments today looking up plants I wasn’t familiar with. It is beautiful now and I think it will develop beautifully, too. A friend stopped by today and profusely complimented us on this new garden– and she is a friend who has a big and beautiful and well managed garden in Ann Arbor. I gave her the company name, and I am sure I will get many more compliments and can share the name far and wide. You and your team were a pleasure, and breathtakingly fast. I am, frankly, amazed.”

Sherry

Whitmore Lake Resident

“I spent several happy moments today looking up plants I wasn’t familiar with. It is beautiful now and I think it will develop beautifully, too. A friend stopped by today and profusely complimented us on this new garden– and she is a friend who has a big and beautiful and well managed garden in Ann Arbor. I gave her the company name, and I am sure I will get many more compliments and can share the name far and wide. You and your team were a pleasure, and breathtakingly fast. I am, frankly, amazed.”

Sherry

Whitmore Lake Resident

“I love working with PlantWise. They have built 2 rain gardens and one sun garden over the last 3 years. I chose them because they plant native plants but I keep returning because the gardens turn out amazing. Cayla demonstrates a deep understanding of what native plants are appropriate for different areas of my yard and she is so enthusiastic about adding habitat for insects, birds and butterflies. In addition, I love to ask questions about the plants and the staff are always happy to answer my questions.”

Kimberly

Ann Arbor Resident

“Cayla has been amazing! She created a fantastic design for our new home. Our property had many challenges including significant erosion problems and sandy soil. Cayla is an incredibly hard worker and she has found creative ways to manage these issues. We are very excited to watch our short meadow unfold and we love the variety of native plants that surround our home. Cayla really knows her plants and what will grow best in our setting. We would highly recommend her!”

Sue and Scott Laing

Gregory, MI Resident

“You guys and gals have done an outstanding job!! Thank you so much! I look forward to working on more projects with you!”

Meredith Bryant

Wildlife Biologist, GLRI Pollinator Coordinator U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

I look forward to every burn season so I get a chance to interact with David and his crew. Not only am I always impressed at their skill in handling a fire, but their depth of knowledge and genuine appreciation for the resources they help us steward is inspiring.

Nate Fuller

Conservation and Stewardship Director, Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy

“I just want to tell you what an amazing job Olivia and Freya did here yesterday. I walked down there this morning and was just amazed. Women with chainsaws!”

Susan Beecher

Chelsea Resident