Source: Lawn & Landscape
Scott M. Asplundh, a longtime Willow Grove business leader and former chairman and CEO of Asplundh Tree Expert, passed away last Thursday from complications related to ALS. He was 68
Asplundh was born in Abington in 1957 and raised in Huntingdon Valley, but his professional legacy is closely tied to Willow Grove, where he spent decades working at the corporate headquarters of Asplundh Tree Expert Co. The company, founded by his grandfather in 1928, remains headquartered in the area and has long been a major employer and presence in the Willow Grove.
According to his obituary, after graduating from Academy of the New Church in 1976, where he was a standout multi-sport athlete, Asplundh went on to earn a degree in economics from St. Lawrence University. He later completed his MBA at Penn State University. He officially joined the family business full time in 1980, working in field operations across several states before returning to the region.
In 1987, Asplundh relocated to the company’s corporate offices in Willow Grove after being elected vice president. From there, he oversaw domestic and international operations and played a key role in expanding the company’s vegetation management and infrastructure services. He was named president in 2001, CEO in 2010, and chairman of the board in 2017, becoming the first member of the third generation of his family to hold those leadership roles.
During his tenure, Asplundh was credited with strengthening the company’s safety culture, modernizing operations through digital systems, and developing leadership programs that opened advancement opportunities to non-family employees. He stepped back from daily operations in 2021 due to health concerns but continued to serve on the board.
Beyond his professional achievements, Asplundh was active in community and industry organizations and supported environmental and healthcare initiatives. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Hali, their two children, and extended family.
