Leadership
Established in 2007, Asia Tree Preservation, Ltd. was formed by father and son Donald Picker and Jonathan Picker. With decades of experience, they constantly strive to pioneer new tree technologies, methodologies, and best management practices in Hong Kong and the surrounding region.
The Directors
Donald Picker
Don is an ISA Certified Arborist, Climber Specialist, Utility Specialist and ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor and TRAQ Trainer with over 25 years in the arboriculture industry. He is also the recipient of the 2012 Arboriculture True Professionals Award from the International Society of Arboriculture. see video Picker’s earliest experience in climbing was gained in building high-tension power lines across the United States. He worked in utility clearance for Asplundh Tree Experts and Wright Tree Service 1979-1984.
He owned and operated Picker Tree Experts in the northern Illinois region1984-1988. After selling the business Don moved to Hong Kong in 1990-1994 where he studied Cantonese at CUHK. Don then lived in Guangxi for 4 years where he studied Mandarin and the language and culture of the Yao forest peoples. In 1999 upon returning to the Chicago area where he established Picker Tree Experts II Don became an arborist and dreamed of taking modern arboriculture to Asia.
Back again to Asia, he has been training in arboriculture throughout the Asia region since 2003 using Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese. Picker, also named 畢加霖, was the coordinator of the Tree Climbers’ Guide; Chinese First Edition (樹木攀爬者指南: 中文第一版), and immediate past chair of the International Safety Committee of the ISA. Picker has a passion to see arboriculture educational opportunities brought to the region of Asia. He holds an MA in Cross Cultural Communications and is the Managing Director of Asia Tree Preservation, Ltd. (美亞樹藝服務有限公司) based in Hong Kong. Don is also a co-founder of IASHK along with his son Jonathan Picker.
Jonathan Picker
Jonathan is a Registered Consulting Arborist (ASCA) and graduate of the Consulting Arborist Academy with over 20 years of experience in the field of arboriculture and urban forestry. Located in Hong Kong, he has been a director of Asia Tree Preservation, Ltd. Institute of Arboriculture Studies (HK), and Arbortools (HK), Ltd. for over 10 years. As director, Jon’s focus has been to support in the further development of the arboriculture industry in Hong Kong and the surrounding region through the implementation of tree best management practices and the introduction of new technology and research. Jon is a founding member of the International Society of Arboriculture – Hong Kong Chapter, co-chair on the chapter Steering Committee, and served as Chapter Executive, Chapter Representative, and Editorial Committee chair between the years of 2012 to 2016. His role as Chapter Representative required regular meetings with an international Council of Representatives with a focus on the further development of arboriculture in the region. Jon has lived in Malaysia, China, and Hong Kong for more than half his life.
Specializing in advanced tree risk assessment methodologies, Jon has lectured on utilizing technical equipment for assessing trees for public safety in various countries around the world.