Contractor Information
Company Overview
High Lonesome Timber is a HUBZone certified small business providing tree care and forestry services to private landowners and government agencies
Isak Pertee, the owner of the business, has been doing professional tree work since 2010 and is an ISA Certified Arborist with a degree in environmental studies from Brown University. He will ensure that all operations are completed according to industry standard best practices.
We have extensive experience with technical tree removal with climbers, spider lifts, controlled felling, cranes, and grapple saws. This is our primary line of business and we have a reputation for high-quality work in difficult environments.
Service Area: Western NC, Eastern TN, Western VA, Northern SC
NAICS Codes:
113 - Forestry & Logging
561730 - Landscaping Services
115310 - Support Activities for Forestry
541320 - Landscape Architectural Services
Qualifications
We specialize in technical tree removal using climbers, spider lifts, cranes, and grapple saws, with additional experience in vista clearing and debris removal for both private and government clients. Our reputation is built on high-quality work in challenging environments.
Crew members hold valid driver’s licenses and CPR/First Aid certification, are trained in chainsaw and brushcutter safety, and understand regional plant ID, traffic control, and environmental stewardship.
As a small company, High Lonesome Timber offers flexibility, high standards, and clear communication. We train crew members from the ground up and prioritize integrity, speed, and thoroughness.
Daily crew meetings cover job instructions, safety concerns, and prior-day issues. An ISA Certified Arborist oversees all work, which follows ANSI A300 standards.
We maintain a full fleet of trucks, chippers, lifts, skid steers, trailers, chainsaws, PPE, and traffic control gear. Additional heavy equipment is available via subcontractors and Cat Rental of Asheville.
Small material is chipped and dispersed or hauled; large wood is donated as firewood when possible. Remaining debris is responsibly disposed of.
Key Differentiators
ISA and tree risk assessment certified arborist
Fully insured with excellent safety record
Extensive knowledge of local forest ecosystems
5-star customer rating on Google
Low-impact, environmentally conscious operations
HUBZone Certified
Certified Living Wage Employer
Top Quality Equipment
Responsive communication and respectful customer service
100% On time job completion record
Safety Plan
High Lonesome Timber prioritizes safety above all else, recognizing the inherent risks of tree work and the dynamic forces involved in arboricultural operations. The company adheres to ANSI Z133 and OSHA 1910 standards, with safety documents available in crew vehicles for reference. Led by Wilderness EMT-trained safety coordinator Isak Pertee, the team begins each project with a comprehensive safety meeting and follows up with daily tailgate briefings to address site-specific hazards. All crew members are CPR/First Aid certified, receive thorough on-the-job training, and are equipped with full personal protective gear. No one operates machinery or performs tasks without proper instruction and demonstrated competency.
Communication is central to High Lonesome Timber’s safety culture, both within the crew and with external parties such as government officials and visitors. Roadside work zones are clearly marked with signage, cones, and flaggers, and personnel wear high-visibility clothing to ensure public safety. Emergency preparedness includes spill kits, fire extinguishers, first aid supplies, and response plans in every vehicle. The company enforces strict protocols for hazardous substance storage and spill prevention, with all materials securely contained and regularly inspected. In the event of a spill, the crew is trained to contain, report, and remediate the site before leaving.
Environmental stewardship is woven into every aspect of operations. Crew members are trained in plant identification and work closely with the COR to protect endangered species, archaeological sites, and sensitive infrastructure. Fire prevention measures include equipment inspections, smoking restrictions, and on-site firefighting tools. High Lonesome Timber’s guiding priorities—safety, quality, and efficiency—reflect its commitment to responsible land management and its respect for the mission of public land agencies.
Sustainability
We do the work we do because we value and appreciate the natural environment, especially around our home here in the southern Appalachians. We support land management agencies in their mission to protect these invaluable resources and are honored to be a partner in furthering this important work. We do everything we can to protect the resource as we are working to maintain it.
We also need to be aware of the impact we are having on larger systems that affect our environment, most notably climate change. Unfortunately, this work currently requires the use of fossil fuels. Our current approach to this problem focuses on efficiency. We work long days, carpool in lightweight trucks, and stay close to the work site to minimize transportation fuel consumption. The handheld power tools we use, utilize modern X-Torq engines, which use 20% less fuel and produce 75% less exhaust emissions than older machines. We maintain those tools with clean filters and sharp edges to make sure they are running correctly and not producing unnecessary emissions or using more fuel than necessary to do the work. We are evaluating alternative fuels and lubricants on an ongoing basis and are beginning to move towards electrification as that technology becomes more effective and available in our industry.
Past Performance
Contract #: 140P5324P0009
Place of Performance: Blue Ridge Parkway
Project: Clearing Scenic Vistas in VA
Completed: 12/23/24
Role: Primary Contractor
Federal Contact:
Ashley Warcewicz, NPS, C.O., 828.348.3417
Jeff Curtis, NPS, C.O.R., 828.545.3960
Contract #: 12444124P0002
Place of Performance: Nantahala National Forest: Tusquitee Ranger District
Project: Cone Collection FY24
Completed: 10/24/23
Role: Primary Contractor
Federal Contact:
Yvonne Ledford, USFS, C.O.R., 423.584.1242
Tina Pettyjohn, USFS, C.O., 808.294.4091
Contract #: 12444123A0036
Place of Performance: Francis Marion and Sumter
National Forests, Savannah River Site in South
Carolina, and the National Forests in North
Carolina.
Project: BPA for Wildlife/Forest Projects
Completed: 8/31/28
Role: Primary Contractor
Federal Contact:
Tina Pettyjohn, USFS, C.O., 808.294.4091
Contract #: 12444122F0121
Place of Performance: Pisgah National Forest: Grandfather Ranger District
Project: Crown Touch Release & Midstory
Treatment
Completed: 3/23/23
Role: Primary Contractor
Federal Contact:
Thomas Rochefort, USFS, C.O.R., 601.480.3987
Tina Pettyjohn, USFS, C.O., 808.294.4091
Contract #: 140P5322P0043
Place of Performance: Blue Ridge Parkway
Project: Removal of Vegetation Under Bridges, VA
Completed: 3/7/23
Role: Primary Contractor
Federal Contact:
Ashley Warcewicz, NPS, C.O., 828.348.3417
Greg Robinson, NPS, C.O.R., 828.214.0089
Contract #: 12444122A0023
Place of Performance: National Forests of NC
Project: Vegetation Management Services BPA
Completed: 5/31/27
Role: Primary Contractor
Federal Contact:
Tina Pettyjohn, USFS, C.O., 808.294.4091
Contract #: 140P5321P0024
Place of Performance: Blue Ridge Parkway
Project: Vista Clearing VA FY21
Completed: 2/13/22
Role: Primary Contractor
Federal Contact:
Ashley Warcewicz, NPS, C.O., 828.348.3417
Greg Robinson, NPS, C.O.R., 828.214.0089
Contract #: 140P5321P0023
Place of Performance: Blue Ridge Parkway
Project: Vista Clearing NC FY21
Completed: 2/1/22
Role: Primary Contractor
Federal Contact:
Ashley Warcewicz, NPS, C.O., 828.348.3417
Greg Robinson, NPS, C.O.R., 828.214.0089
Contract #: 140P5320P0029
Place of Performance: Blue Ridge Parkway
Project: Cyclic NC Vista Clearing FY20
Completed: 3/30/21
Role: Primary Contractor
Federal Contact:
Ashley Warcewicz, NPS, C.O., 828.348.3417
Greg Robinson, NPS, C.O.R., 828.214.0089
Contract #: 1243N918P0018
Place of Performance: Pisgah National Forest: Appalachian Ranger District
Project: Northside & Roaring II Crop Tree Release
Completed: 5/14/19
Role: Primary Contractor
Federal Contact:
Shundrica Daniels, USFS C.O., 404.347.2348
Darlene Cook, USFS C.O.R., 828.460.3181
Contract #: 140P5318P0094
Place of Performance: Blue Ridge Parkway
Project: Clearing Scenic Vistas in North Carolina
Completed: 4/27/19
Role: Primary Contractor
Federal Contact:
Geraldine Larsen, NPS, C.O., 865.436.1219
Jeff Childers, NPS C.O.R., 828.450.1440
David Anderson, NPS C.O.T.R., 828.231.9413
Contract #: P17PX03391
Place of Performance: Great Smoky Mountains NP
Project: GRSM-FY17-HWA Service
Completed: 4/30/18
Role: Subcontractor
Federal Contact:
Jesse Webster, NPS, 865.436.1730
Private Contact:
Tom Lodge, Contractor, 828.675.9353
Contract #: P17PD02877
Place of Performance: Great Smoky Mountains NP
Project: Vista Clearing, Brushing, & Tree Trimming on Foothills Parkway
Completed: 1/30/18
Role: Primary Contractor
Federal Contact:
Lara Wood, NPS C.O., 828.348.3417
Imelda Wegwerth, NPS C.O.R., 865.436.1302
Tom Remaley, NPS C.O.T.R., 865.436.1736
Contract #: P15PC00548
Place of Performance: National Parks of NC, TN, & VA
Project: Tree Service, Brushing, & Vista Clearing IDIQ
Completed: 1/30/18
Role: Primary Contractor
Federal Contact:
Jonathan Gibb, NPS C.O., 865.436.1218
Contract #: AG4419C100516
Place of Performance: Nantahala NF, Cheoah/Tusquitee RD
Project: 2010-15 Aquatic Resource Monitoring in Snowbird and Tellico watersheds following obliteration of Upper Tellico OHV Area
Completed: 7/18/15
Role: Subcontractor (Project Manager)
Federal Contact:
Jason Farmer, USFS, 828.479.6431
Private Contact:
Michael Wood, The Catena Group/Three Oaks Engineering, 919.417.8027
Contract #: P14PX03595
Place of Performance: NPS: Great Smoky Mountains NP & Big South Fork NRRA
Project: HWA Service Work
Completed: 4/23/15
Role: Subcontractor
Federal Contact:
Jesse Webster, NPS, 865.436.1730
Marie Tackett, NPS, 423.569.2404
Private Contact:
Tom Lodge, Contractor, 828.675.9353
Contract #: AG4568C140043
Place of Performance: USFS: Pisgah NF, Appalachian RD
Project: Soil Treatment for the Black Mountain and Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Areas for the HW
Completed: 6/18/14
Role: Primary Contractor
Thomas Rochefort, USFS, C.O.R., 601.480.3987
Tina Pettyjohn, USFS, C.O., 808.294.4091
Contract #: 140P5322P0043
Place of Performance: Blue Ridge Parkway
Project: Removal of Vegetation Under Bridges, VA
Completed: 3/7/23
Role: Primary Contractor
Federal Contact:
Ashley Warcewicz, NPS, C.O., 828.348.3417
Greg Robinson, NPS, C.O.R., 828.214.0089
Contract #: 12444122A0023
Place of Performance: National Forests of NC
Project: Vegetation Management Services BPA
Completed: 5/31/27
Role: Primary Contractor
Federal Contact:
Tina Pettyjohn, USFS, C.O., 808.294.4091
Contract #: 140P5321P0024
Place of Performance: Blue Ridge Parkway
Project: Vista Clearing VA FY21
Completed: 2/13/22
Role: Primary Contractor
Federal Contact:
Ashley Warcewicz, NPS, C.O., 828.348.3417
Greg Robinson, NPS, C.O.R., 828.214.0089
Contract #: 140P5321P0023
Place of Performance: Blue Ridge Parkway
Project: Vista Clearing NC FY21
Completed: 2/1/22
Role: Primary Contractor
Federal Contact:
Ashley Warcewicz, NPS, C.O., 828.348.3417
Greg Robinson, NPS, C.O.R., 828.214.0089
Troy Evans, NPS C.O.T.R., 865.430.4742
Contract #: P17PD00435
Place of Performance: Great Smoky Mountains NP
Project: Tree Removal at Elkmont Historic District
Completed: 3/14/17
Role: Primary Contractor
Federal Contact:
Ryan Pike, NPS C.O. 865.436.1224
Randy Hatten, NPS C.O.R., 865.436.1289
Contract #: P16PX03469
Place of Performance: Great Smoky Mountains NP
Project: GRSM-HWA Service Contract
Completed: 4/25/17
Role: Subcontractor
Federal Contact: Jesse Webster, NPS, 865.436.1730
Private Contact: Tom Lodge, Contractor, 828.675.9353
Contract #: P15PC00548
Place of Performance: Blue Ridge Parkway
Project: Cyclic cutting of vistas
Completed: 12/9/15
Role: Primary Contractor
Federal Contact:
Jonathan Gibb, NPS C.O., 865.436.1218
Nathan Epling, NPS C.O.R., 828.348.3481
Contract #: P15PX04188
Place of Performance: Great Smoky Mountains NP
Project: GRSM-HWA Service Contract
Completed: 4/26/16
Role: Subcontractor
Federal Contact:
Jesse Webster, NPS, 865.436.1730
Private Contact:
Tom Lodge, Contractor, 828.675.9353
Contract #: P15PC00548
Place of Performance: National Parks of NC, TN, & VA
Project: Tree Service, Brushing, & Vista Clearing IDIQ
Completed: 1/30/18
Role: Primary Contractor
Federal Contact:
Jonathan Gibb, NPS C.O., 865.436.1218
Federal Contact:
Wade Carpenter, USFS, 828.877.3265
Owen Reed, USFS, 828.652.2144
Contract #: P13PX03226
Place of Performance: Big South Fork NRRA
Project: HWA Service Work
Completed: 4/9/14
Role: Subcontractor
Federal Contact:
Marie Tackett, NPS, 423.569.2404
Private Contact:
Tom Lodge, Contractor, 828.675.9353
Contract #: P13PX03060
Place of Performance: Great Smoky Mountains NP
Project: HWA Service Work
Completed: 11/6/13
Role: Subcontractor
Federal Contact:
Jesse Webster, NPS, 865.436.1730
Private Contact:
Tom Lodge, Contractor, 828.675.9353
Contract #: P12PX25095
Place of Performance: Great Smoky Mountains NP
Project: HWA Service Work
Completed: 10/19/12
Role: Subcontractor
Federal Contact:
Jesse Webster, NPS, 865.436.1730
Private Contact:
Tom Lodge, Contractor, 828.675.9353
Contract #: AG4670C120028
Place of Performance: Pisgah NF, Appalachian RD
Project: Crown Touch Release
Completed: 5/19/12
Role: Subcontractor
Federal Contact:
Darlene Bracy, USFS, 828.689.9694
Private Contact:
Tom Lodge, Contractor, 828.675.9353