THE TEAM - THE TREE PLANTERS

50+ YEARS OF FAMILY OWNERSHIP & OPERATIONS

The Tree Planters, a family-owned business founded in 1969, has been dedicated to installing and transplanting large trees across Florida for over 50 years. The Tree Planters pride themselves on their ability to educate customers and maintain a well organized and professional team. The Tree Planters strive to make each customer’s experience a smooth and worry free one, handling all problems and concerns, so that you don’t have to!

Joel Mizell

Owner and Founder

Joel Mizell founded The Tree Planters in 1969, alongside his late father Sammy Mizell. At the origin of the company, Joel’s focus was in wholesale tree growing and transplanting. Joel spent many years growing, harvesting, and transplanting trees throughout the entire state of Florida. His clientele ranged from wholesale and commercial purchasers to retail homeowners and businesses. Joel has developed many methods of working with trees that have spread throughout the tree industry over the years and are widely used today.

In 2015, after many years of closely monitoring the tree market, Joel made the decision to switch the focus of the company to service residential homeowners in the retail industry, only. Upon making the switch from predominately wholesale to strictly retail, The Tree Planters has maintained a heavy emphasis on tree transplanting and root regeneration protocols. The Tree Planters is one of the only companies in the State of Florida that has the skill and expertise to transplant the size and age trees that they do. The heart of The Tree Planters transplant and installation ability come from Joels unwavering dedication of tree knowledge, care, and maintenance, ensuring that each installation and transplant process is as successful and smooth as possible.

MacKenzie Sieg

General/Project Manager

MacKenzie is the general manager of The Tree Planters Team. Having grown up in the industry and being the daughter of the founder, Joel Mizell, MacKenzie’s passion for trees is unmatched. Her dedication to continued knowledge, superb tree care, and the process of installation/transplanting is impressive. MacKenzie enjoys educating customers and will often be the first voice a customer hears when calling The Tree Planters. Her love for trees and the industry alike is born from her father’s unwavering enthusiasm during her youth and adult years.

Michele Allen

Administration

Michele is the highly valued Administrative Manager of The Tree Planters and has filled this role for nearly 30 years! Her role on The Tree Planters Team is crucial and of highest importance, working behind the scenes to keep the machine well oiled and running. Michele has phenomenal organizational skills, working diligently to keep everyone on track and moving forward. Michele will seldom answer the phone or email inquires, but you may hear her voice more as MacKenzie enters into maternity leave in December of 2025!

Tito Barbosa

Lead Foreman

Tito is one of the outstanding foreman that The Tree Planters family has had the pleasure of knowing and employing since 1999. Tito is the head tree transplanter and installer among the team; training and molding each additional crew member that has joined us over the years. No job is too large or too difficult for Tito to perform correctly and impressively. Over the years, Tito has mastered many skills within the Tree Industry, a few being; Transplanting, Installation, Root Regeneration, Diamond Cutting, Tree Removal, and much much more! Tito is a giant within the tree industry, known by many people for his skills and work ethic.

James Stover

Lead Foreman/CDL Driver

James is one of the irreplaceable foreman and CDL drivers that The Tree Planters has had the honor of employing for nearly 10 years! James is a problem solver by nature and possess a great skill set that he brings to each and every job. Like Tito, who trained him in the beginning, no job is too small or too large and he handles every task with ease and strategy. James is also one of the CDL drivers that The Tree Planters rely on to transport heavy and large loads across the state. James is a valuable part of this team and The Tree Planters hope to have him on board for many years to come!

Charles Turlington

Crew Member

Charles is one of The Tree Planters excellent Tree Installers and Handlers. He has been part of The Tree Planters family since 2017 and recently became a father, welcoming a baby girl into this world. Charles has a strong background in the landscape industry and possess many skills to effectively and efficiently complete each and every job. He is a reliable worker and essential part of our team, for now and many years to come!

Kyle Zecckine

Crew Member

Kyle is one of our newer team members, joining the family in October of 2024. He has grown and learned at an exponentially fast pace over the last year, possessing great potential and skill within the tree industry. Kyle is a problem solver and always looking to learn and grow from each job and project he is tasked with. Kyle is a valuable and essential part of the team, bringing a bright light and attitude to each workday!

Chris Ervin

Crew Member/CDL Driver

Chris is one of The Tree Planters irreplaceable Tree Installers and CDL Drivers. He has been onboard The Tree Planters team since 2024 and posses great skills in many areas within the tree industry. He is one of two CDL Drivers that The Tree Planters rely on to safely transport large and heavy loads across the State of Florida and southeast entirely. Chris is also a master mechanic and maintains all trucks and equipment that The Tree Planters crew use daily to perform each job!