Andrew Harris aka FatBear - Owner/ Director

Andrew studied arboriculture and horticulture at Sparsholt College of Agriculture and still keeps the contacts.

He formed TreeMenders over sixteen years ago and offers a personal, friendly service to all customers large and small (sounds like a James Herriot book). He believes passionately in excellent customer service and is very proud and privileged to work with a group of guys who love their industry and feel the same way.

Andrew doesn't climb anymore - unfortunatley, there's more swearing and sweat than movement and it's more sensible to let the younguns lead the way.  He does still go out on quotes and if you meet him, he will ask you many questions (sometimes more than that!) and work with you to undertand your aims.

Be warned, Andrew can talk the hind leg off several donkeys!! Don't mention vinyl records, old vehicles or why technology is wrong ......otherwise he'll be there for dinner.

Kern Sherwood aka Kev or the litlle Fella

Our son Kern is another Director and the right arm of the business. Kern studied Arboriculture and Horticulture at Sparsholt completing his course with distinction.  He joined TreeMenders full time in Sep 2009 and now runs the business along with Andrew (who's trying to retire!).  He suffers a little from OCD, so rest assured your garden will be left immaculate, but don't be shocked if you see all the daffodils facing the same way!  He will often be the one dragging Andrew away from a customer who's eyes are beginning to glaze over at another of Andrew's intereting anecdotes. Besides trees, Kern's other passsion is snowboarding, spending every moment he can on the slopes ; he's been to Canada, Austria, France, Italy ....Japan is his dream destination.

Richard Collis (Team Leader & Lead Climber)

Richard joined us in 2012 after completing the Arboriculture course again, at Sparsholt. Rich has sported many a range (or mange if you prefer) of beards - one of which is shown here.  Rich is extreemly keen to please and can get a little over excited - He is not to be given orange Smarties or fizzy pop.  He's a keen golfer and very competitive - don't expect any help if he's playing against you!

He is also the longest serving Mender to date, some would say hes part of the furniture.

Chris Manson (Team Leader & Master of Felling)

Chris joined us in 2016 having moved from a fellow tree company ( our loss is their gain.....or something like that ) 

Chris started life as a Forester but has migrated from the dark side to also climb trees.  It's not a pretty sight and we recommend that small children and pets are kept inside if he ever dons his harness.   Chris is in charge of the machinery so don't be alarmed if you see him beating other members of the team with a Spruce branch when they dig the saw into the ground - he's the one that has to sharpen it.  He's another one that's part of the furniture (like a dog bed I guess) We hope that he'll stay with us at least until his hair grows back.

Kieran (Kez) Bates ( Lead Climber & Groundsman ) 

Kez joined us in 2014 and quickly established a reputation as a outstanding climber.  He does have a bit of a rowdy streak and is a paint ball officianado, liking nothing better than going off for the weekend to a paintball war.

He is known as the pale white knight due to his transparent complexion which can make him almost invisible to the naked eye whilst in a tree.

Kez is now a proud father and dog owner (God help us) and has now settled into Winchester domesticity, hanging up his airsoft uniform for a pipe and slippers.  Next he'll be listening to Classic FM with Andrew!

   Craig (XP) Compton (Team Leader Groundsman & Animal lover) 

Craig had done a variety of jobs in the past and joined TreeMenders in 2016 order to learn the ropes!

He's developed into an invaluable team member and now has 5 NPTC qualifcations. XP's staple diet for the past 5 years has been pizza - He has, however, got married to his long term girlfriend (Lozza) and has been fed fresh vegetables on more than one occasion!!

Craig's head has its own gravity and moon - it is impossible to tip him over due to this - Kern has tried and failed on many occassion!

Marcus Whitehead - (Groundsman & Rake King)

Marcus ( also known as Cous Cous - but only by Andrew oddly! ) joined us in 2023 as a self employed contractor - He's now employed and full time.  Be aware that, should you stand still long enough, Cous Cous will probably rake you up and into a tonne bag.  Marcus took his first 2 chainsaw qualifications in Feb 24 and passed with flying colours - He'll be taking some more later in the yeat and you'll be seeing him in the canopies by the end of 2024 - if he passes....... if he doesn't - he'll get a new rake!

Brad Harries aka 7.31 (Groundsman and alleged climber)

Brad, Bradders, Bradley or 7.31 - He'll answer to most of them provided it's not before 7.30 at the yard - as he won't be there - despite living almost as close as Andrew (who lives on site ) Brad has accumulated the most late points of any Mender in living history - despite only working 2 days a week. Brad has his own company (It's no Treeenders, but it is a living!) and comes in to help and bother Andrew in equal measures! He has a wonderful partner and 2 smashing kids - nobody knows how!

Jonny Constant (Groundsman)

Jonny has been working with us since January 2023 - He's currently at Sparsholt for 3 days a week and the other two - he comes to work with us.  Jonny is best mates with CousCous and introduced him to us - the two of them can often be found whispering like giddy school girls on prom night. Despite the fact that he sounds like a 1980's spy, Jonny has worked as an activities instructor at Calsholt and also an Avacado orchard hand in New Zealand !

Jamie Bradfield (Groundsman and occassional climber)

Jamie's been with us since July 2023.  He works Monday and Tuesday - so if you're booked for the latter part of the week - you won't get the pleasure of Mr Bradfield.  Jamie has a number of peircings but these are discreetly hidden beneath his hat - just in case they pop out and you call 999

Jez Cox (Groundsman/Climber)

Jez has been with us since 2018 and is widely considered to be the most hansome Mender (A high bar indeed) - He is also the moral compass of the team (not such a high bar!).

Jezza's still trying to find his calling in the world and is currently training with the ambulance service - from what we can gather - he can now tell you what your injuries are . . . .  but can't tell you how to fix them - If you can hang on for a few months before having an accident - you may be lucky enough to have Mr Cox in attendance!

Jez comes in to work with us from time to time - not for any comradery or altruistic reasons - but to fund his next surfing holiday

George Pearce (Dragger/Chipper/Raker)

George arrived with us in December 2023 - He's the son of a customer who is studying Arboriculture at Sparsholt ( George not the customer ) - George is learning on the job - you'll catch him sporting a hi viz tabard which the team make him wear so that they can see him.

He's a cheekly little chap and we hope he'll grow and learn with us.