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Urban forest worth saving
BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU:
CLC Tree Services caputures the BB Integrity Award
By HANK DANISZEWSKI, The London Free Press
Last Updated: November 11, 2010 10:50am

 Fitting for the Forest City, CLC Tree Services is the winner of the 2010 Integrity Award from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Western Ontario.
The company has recently expanded beyond tree maintenance and removal into Christmas decoration installation and landscape lighting.
Founded 22 years ago by Curtis McCallum, the family business has six employees including sons Luke and Calvin. The company’s name was derived by combing their first initials.
Although the firm is well-equipped for tree removal, customers are often told that maintenance and pest control is a better option.

Calvin McCallum, Don Layland, Curtis McCallum and Jon Mitchell, of CLC tree services have won the BBB Integrity Award. The company was founded in 1988. (MORRIS LAMONT, The London Free Press)

“More often than not the tree does not have to come down. This is not about cutting trees, it’s all about preserving our urban forest,”McCallum said.
The business has required flexibility from employees because it is largely seasonal with a an especially heavy workload in cleaning up storm damage, he said.
“That’s when everybody wants you there instantly,” McCallum said.
McCallum started the firm part time as a stump removal service, but soon added tree removal and trimming fertilizing, disease and pest control and wood lot management.
To offset the seasonal nature of the business, CLC was recently expanded to include Crescent Moon Lightscaping, a service which designs and installs low-voltage landscape lighting systems.
CLC also supports a number of tree programs in the community. Curt McCallum has also made his mark as a blood donor, having donated blood more than 100 times.
Along with the award, CLC also gets to name the recipient of a $2,500 scholarship, donated by the Rotary Club. The award to CLC was announced at a BBB Wednesday breakfast meeting with featured prominent London business person Don McDougall as guest speaker.
Form & Build Supply, a speciality concrete and masonry supplier and Armour Shield Roofing were runners-up for the award.