About Our Landscape Company
Colorado Origins
A love of beauty, native Colorado plants, and good design inspired Mark and Emily Maeda to found Tree of Life Landscapes in 1998. Their design aesthetic draws upon the landscapes that they have seen around them as Colorado natives.
An ethical imperative inspires this aesthetic as well: design with native and well-adapted plants that thrive year-round in Colorado’s extremes while staying attuned to water conservation. The result means sustainable landscape designs that are imbued with practicality and beauty.
Plants
We specialize in native, well-adapted plants and locally-sourced hardscapes. We follow the design principles of order, unity, and rhythm in all of our work; this brings your outdoor space into beauty and balance with graceful lines and satisfying contrasts.
All of our designs conserve water and promote native pollinators in your garden.
Design
Our design process takes us from the ancient craft of hand-drafted sketches into the realm of state-of-the-art design software for 2D and 3D modeling. Our plans communicate the vision for your landscape, and we believe their beauty will help you grasp the potential for your space.
Service
Because the classical virtues of truth, goodness, and beauty are indispensable to our work, they also inspire the ways we serve our clients. While every part of life is touched with ruin, our relational goals and interactions with clients aspire to embody these virtues to create positive experiences.
Mark Maeda
President of Tree of Life Landscapes
A native of Colorado, Mark grew up in the cleanest of towns, Hygiene, and enjoyed athletics of all kinds along with skiing and the outdoors as a child. He attended the University of Colorado majoring in finance and accounting. After moving to Phoenix to work for a major corporation, he and his wife decided to embrace the joys of building a small business. They returned to Colorado, and Tree of Life Landscapes was born.
Mark found great joy in creating beautiful spaces for his clients and running a business. After 20 years of running Tree of Life, his greatest passion as a business owner is to see his employees succeed and grow as individuals and to see his clients experience happiness in enjoying their outdoor spaces.
As a liver transplant recipient, he knows each day is a gift and looks forward to time in the mountains, climbing peaks, and sharing that joy with his seven children.
Emily Maeda
Vice President of Tree of Life Landscapes, Designer
A native Coloradan, Emily Maeda grew up outside of Boulder on her parent’s farm where she learned to love the beauty of Colorado’s natural environment. Her love of plants quickly grew with forays into herb and flower gardens she designed and installed, and continued in her work at an organic farm.
She pursued her education in piano performance at both the University of Colorado and Arizona State University, where she also took classes in landscape design.
After moving back from Arizona, she continued her love of piano, both teaching and performing, while at the same time pursuing design skills in landscape design. She worked with a landscape architect and founded Tree of Life Landscapes with her husband, Mark with a deep desire to work with native, well-adapted plants and bring good design to people.
She has seven children, whom she loves deeply, and continues to play and perform music, seeing congruence in the rhythm of music and the rhythm of good landscape design. In her free time she loves to cook, run, read poetry and literature, and sit in the sun on her front porch.
Michael Erickson
Landscape Designer
Growing up along the Front Range, Michael’s interest in flora and fauna was almost guaranteed being raised in a nature-loving home. From collecting insects to finding rare wildflowers, he has always had a deep appreciation for nature and its beauty.
During summers through high school and college, Michael worked at Tree of Life on the plant crew, fostering his understanding of beauty and its importance. While studying mathematics and music in college, Michael apprenticed with the designers at Tree of Life and later joined as a full-time designer.
Michael is passionate about the different Colorado ecologies and how bringing them into our landscapes creates a more sustainable garden. In his spare time Michael enjoys playing the piano and organ, identifying wildflowers on hikes and on the side of the road.
John Roberts
Project Manager
Born in Boulder, Colorado, John grew up on a farm just outside of the city and has always loved the Colorado outdoors and landscape.
After working first in law enforcement and then overseas with an NGO for many years, John eventually made his way back to Colorado and into landscaping through his experience in management and working with people.
Today, John is a project manager for construction and leads all residential maintenance operations and sales, working with each individual customer to create a maintenance program that suits their landscape needs.
Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife Sheryl and their ten children, and (at last count) seven grandchildren. John also enjoys fishing, golfing, and gardening.
Jaime Martinez
Site Manager
Jaime Martinez has been with Tree of Life for over 16 years. His hometown is Rio de Medina, Mexico and still the place he loves most. At Tree of Life, Jaime is the master of patios, wall building, rock placement, pergolas, decks, and all other forms of construction on a site. His high attention to detail and eye for beauty make Jaime a skilled artisan whose projects all bear his creative stamp. In the off season, Jaime returns to his ranch where he hunts and stewards his land.
Josue Moreno
Site Manager
Josue Moreno has been with Tree of Life for eight years. Josue brings many skills to the team at Tree of Life including the construction of corten water features, fence building, metal work and fabrication, and rock work of all kinds in the landscape. Josue’s welding skills and eye for design have created incredible water features and metal pergolas for Tree of Life customers. Hailing from Durango, Mexico, Josue returns to his land where he grows fruit trees and bakes bread in a custom bread oven he constructed.
Tree of Life Landscapes: Harmonizing Beauty, Sustainability, and Craftsmanship
In 1998, inspired by a love of beauty, native Colorado plants, and good design, Mark and Emily Maeda founded Tree of Life Landscapes. As Colorado natives, they have always been deeply connected to the landscapes around them, drawing inspiration from the natural beauty that defines this region. Their vision for Tree of Life Landscapes was to create a landscape company that not only enhances outdoor spaces but also respects and integrates the unique ecological characteristics of Colorado.
A Philosophy Rooted in Ethics and Aesthetics
The design aesthetic at Tree of Life Landscapes is not only inspired by the natural beauty of Colorado but also by an ethical imperative. Mark and Emily believe in designing with native and well-adapted plants that can thrive in Colorado’s extreme climate while conserving water. This approach results in sustainable landscape designs that are both practical and beautiful. By focusing on native and well-adapted plants, they ensure that their landscapes are resilient, low-maintenance, and beneficial to the local ecosystem.
Specialization in Native Plants and Locally-Sourced Hardscapes
At Tree of Life Landscapes, we specialize in the use of native and well-adapted plants, as well as locally-sourced hardscapes. This specialization allows us to create landscapes that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally sustainable. We follow the design principles of order, unity, and rhythm in all of our work, which helps to bring your outdoor space into harmony and balance. Our designs feature graceful lines and satisfying contrasts that enhance the beauty and functionality of your landscape.
Water Conservation and Pollinator Promotion
Water conservation is a cornerstone of our design philosophy. All of our landscape designs are created with water conservation in mind, ensuring that your garden remains beautiful and sustainable throughout the year. A large percentage of water in Colorado is used for ornamental landscape irrigation and many municipalities have introduced water conservation regulations for extreme drought. Our gardens are prepared for our climate and require very little supplemental water once established. Additionally, we aim to promote native pollinators by incorporating plants that attract and support them. This not only benefits your garden but also contributes to the overall health of the local water efficiency.
The Design Process: Merging Tradition and Technology
Our design process at Tree of Life Landscapes combines the ancient craft of hand-drafted sketches with the latest in design technology. We start with traditional hand-drawn sketches to capture the initial vision and essence of your landscape. These sketches are then transformed into detailed plans using state-of-the-art design software for 2D and 3D modeling. This blend of tradition and technology ensures that our plans effectively communicate the vision for your landscape, helping you to grasp the full potential of your outdoor space.
Embodying Classical Virtues
The classical virtues of truth, goodness, and beauty are indispensable to our work at Tree of Life Landscapes. These virtues not only guide our design principles but also inspire the ways we serve our clients. By aspiring to embody these virtues, we create positive and meaningful experiences for our clients. Our relational goals and interactions with clients are rooted in these classical virtues, ensuring that we provide exceptional service and build lasting relationships.
Residential and Commercial Landscaping Services
As a leading landscape contractor, Tree of Life Landscapes offers a comprehensive range of services for both residential and commercial clients. Our residential landscaping services are designed to transform your outdoor space into a beautiful, functional, and sustainable environment. We work closely with homeowners to understand their vision and create landscapes that reflect their unique style and needs.
For our commercial clients, we provide landscape design and installation services that enhance the aesthetic and functional aspects of their properties. We understand the importance of creating appealing and inviting outdoor spaces for businesses, and our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality results that meet the specific requirements of each project.
High-Quality Craftsmanship and Attention to Detail
At Tree of Life Landscapes, we take pride in our high-quality craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail. Our team of skilled professionals is committed to delivering exceptional results on every project. From the initial consultation to the final installation, we ensure that every aspect of your landscape is carefully planned and executed to the highest standards.
Water Features and Hardscapes
In addition to our plant-driven designs, we are also expert builders of water features and hardscapes. Our water features range from sleek, modern installations to large, naturalistic elements that blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. These features add a dynamic and tranquil element to your outdoor space, enhancing its beauty and serenity.
Our hardscapes, including patios, walkways, and retaining walls, are crafted using locally-sourced materials that complement the natural beauty of Colorado. These elements not only enhance the functionality of your landscape but also add to its overall aesthetic appeal.
Sustainable and Ethical Landscaping
Sustainability is at the core of everything we do at Tree of Life Landscapes. We are committed to creating landscapes that are environmentally responsible and beneficial to the local ecosystem. By using native and well-adapted plants, conserving water, and promoting native pollinators, we ensure that our landscapes are both beautiful and sustainable.
Our ethical approach to landscaping extends to our business practices as well. We believe in transparency, honesty, and integrity in all of our interactions with clients. Our goal is to build trust and create lasting relationships based on mutual respect and shared values.
Creating Lasting Beauty and Sustainability
Tree of Life Landscapes is more than just a landscape company—we are a team of passionate professionals dedicated to creating beautiful, sustainable, and functional outdoor spaces. Our commitment to using native and well-adapted plants, locally-sourced hardscapes, and water conservation principles sets us apart in the industry. We invite you to experience the difference that our plant-driven design, high-quality craftsmanship, and ethical approach can make for your landscape.
If you are looking for a landscape contractor who can bring your vision to life with beauty, sustainability, and integrity, contact Tree of Life Landscapes today. Let us help you create an outdoor space that reflects your values and enhances your quality of life.