27
July/August 2025
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THE DAVEY BULLETIN
PRUDDEN TAKES UP WOOD TURNING, OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Things seem to have come full circle for Tom Prudden after
he retired in 2021. He's living in his former sales territory,
he's back outdoors as much as he can be, and he's working
with trees again -- but in a new way.
At 19 years old, Prudden started as a groundsman for the
Detroit office, Residential/Commercial services, in 1974. In
1988, he attended the Davey Institute of Tree Sciences, and
in the years following, he moved into sales-focused roles.
After leaving the company for a few years, he was rehired
at the Wheeling office under The Care of Trees, which joined
Davey during the 2008 acquisition.
In 2021, he retired as a sales arborist in the Crystal Lake
office, which oversaw the territory of Lake Geneva, Wis.,
where Prudden now lives.
"I liked the stability of the company and the opportunity
for advancement," Prudden said. "Davey has resources
and equipment to handle any job. They're very professional,
and they keep employees working year-round. Not many
companies are able to do that. The combination of the
benefits and job security was everything for a young man
with a family."
In addition to golfing, cycling and fishing, Prudden spends
much of his time wood turning, where he creates bowls,
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vases and other works out of wood scraps. He makes
pieces for friends and family and has even created some for
clients out of their favorite trees that were taken down.
This summer, Prudden was the support driver for three
cyclists completing The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route,
a nearly 2,700 mile, 37-day trek that starts in Southwest
Canada and ends in Mexico. He follows along with the
riders in his Jeep, cooking for them and hauling their gear,
all while observing the elk, bison and rattlesnakes he sees
along the way.
"I love retirement," Prudden said. "I am able to, with my
401KSOP and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan Davey stock
holdings, live a very comfortable life. I don't have to worry."
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RETIREES!
ADVICE FROM TOM PRUDDEN:
1. Always give your best effort, every day, in
everything you're doing
2. Be honest – honesty is the best policy
3. Try to advance yourself and your skills – anytime
you can learn new things, you'll become a
better arborist
Above: In retirement, Tom Prudden picked
up wood turning, the art of creating bowls,
vases and other works out of wood pieces.
Left: During his time as a support driver
for cyclists making a 2,700-mile trek from
Canada to New Mexico, Prudden stops in
Antonito, Colorado.
RETIREE CORNER
