A little over a decade ago, two half-brothers, Jose Burrow and Jose Ross, arrived in Detroit with high aspirations. Today, they operate thriving tree care companies that make Metro Detroit’s suburbs green and safe.
Jose Burrow is the owner of Southfield Tree Care, dedicated to doing big jobs well and on time. Jose Ross is the owner of Dutton Tree Service, dedicated to service and precision.
There’s more to their story than simply cutting back branches. It’s two men who worked diligently, hired locals, and invested in the city that took a risk on them. From Rochester Hills to Dearborn, they’re proof that first-generation Americans can leave their mark.
From Immigrants to Entrepreneurs
Jose Ross (Dutton Tree Service) and Jose Burrow (Southfield Tree Care)
Customers praise 38-year-old Jose Ross for his attention to detail, tidying up lawns, and explaining tree health in plain English. Meanwhile, 35-year-old Jose Burrow, who runs Southfield Tree Care, is known for efficiently coordinating crews and equipment to tackle large projects, such as the removal of storm-damaged oak trees in Southfield.
They have been able to make Southfield Tree Care and Dutton Tree Service successful businesses in Wayne and Oakland counties because both of them understand that honesty and perseverance will take you far. Their tree care businesses want to prove to everyone that immigrants are capable of doing more than becoming rich in Detroit.
Arrived in the U.S. a Decade Ago—No Capital, No Connections
The brothers came to America from Mexico with little money, no friends, and just enough English to get by in 2013. The stories of opportunity led them to Detroit; yet, they soon found that things were much different: low pay and a bewildering list of new regulations.
In the time before they learned to tend to trees through the means of a landscaping contract, they did whatever labor they could get, such as construction, washing dishes, or whatever would put food in their bellies. Despite it being difficult, they saw a way out in a line of work that rewarded effort and skill.
Started from the Bottom in the Tree Care Industry
Some of the toughest assignments they were assigned in their initial jobs were pulling the branches, grinding stumps, and working under experienced arborists who never taught them their secrets. Jose Ross studied tree biology, and Jose Burrow performed tool maintenance to cut costs.
They worked and saved every penny because they understood that the only way to grow in the business was to specialize in their trade. They were ready to risk everything. They borrowed capital from their family and friends to start their businesses and acquire second-hand machines.
Turning Grit Into Growth
Learned the Trade Working for Others—Then Went Independent
They learned the ropes working for other tree companies, but they also learned what not to do: cutting corners, doing low-quality work, and being dishonest about pricing. Jose Burrow opened Southfield Tree Care in 2014, and Jose Ross launched Dutton Tree Service in 2018.
It was hard at first to rent equipment, get permits, and win the trust of the customers to secure work. By showing up on time, performing great work, and providing reasonable prices, they established customers and a reputation in cities from Troy to Warren.
Became ISA-Certified, OSHA-Compliant Business Owners
The brothers made the gamble of being different. By gaining International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification after training, they proved they knew more about trees than most of their competitors. In order to protect their customers and staff, they also made their companies follow OSHA safety regulations.
These qualifications led to larger contracts, though not necessarily affordable or easily available. Royal Oak and Dearborn homeowner associations, companies, and cities started to call them. It had proven to them that the hard work had been worthwhile.
Now Serving Communities Across Oakland and Wayne Counties
Dutton Tree Service and Southfield Tree Care do it all, from Rochester Hills storm cleanup to pruning Palmer Park’s historic oaks. From Oakland and Wayne counties, they provide trucks and workers with proper training to serve homes, businesses, and government contracts. They are known to be fast and inexpensive, and their growth is a testament to the value of talent and hard work.
Challenges They Faced and Beat
Language Barriers, Licensing Hurdles, Fierce Competition
First of all, the brothers encountered a lot of issues. Their poor English prevented them from negotiating deals or making sense of licensing legislation. Cutting-edge ads and decades of accumulated brand equity gave large companies an advantage that made it harder for the brothers to compete.
When things didn’t work, they continued to study state law late at night after working long days and attended night classes to enhance their English.
Earned Trust Job by Job Through Honest Work and Clean Results
To get customers, you had to earn your spurs on every job. One Rochester homeowner was so impressed with the neat job that Dutton Tree Service did on a small pruning job that she told all of her neighbors.
Word also spread about Southfield Tree Care following the company’s prompt, safe, and budget removal of a fallen tree from a parking lot owned by an Oak Park church. Because the brothers delivered on their initial commitments to do good work, charge fair prices, and leave job sites cleaner than they were when they arrived, word quickly spread.
Built Teams That Reflect the Values They Brought with Them
When their companies expanded, they employed local employees, many of whom shared their strong work ethic and were themselves first-generation immigrants. From what they had learned, the brothers taught their employees a sense of quality, safety, and courtesy.
Now, their employees are like family, and workers stay on because they are treated well and can advance within the company. That loyalty has helped maintain their workers and their communities.
Giving Back to the Community
Support Storm Cleanups and Local Neighborhood Efforts
When Metro Detroit is swept by storms, they’re quick to respond. After the 2023 windstorm, Southfield Tree Care cleared roads for free in Dearborn, and Dutton Tree Service partnered with charities to clear dead trees from abandoned lots. They want to help make Detroit safer, greener, and stronger—it’s not about business.
Hire and Train Locally, Especially Other First-Gen Workers
The brothers see how hard it is to start over, so they make sure to hire local workers, especially other immigrants starting over. The majority of them have managed to get jobs because they received on-the-job training in tree care, safety procedures, and work professionalism. By investing in people, they are contributing to the growth of the Detroit economy and enabling people to have the means to achieve the American dream.
Why Their Story Matters
First-Generation Americans Shaping Detroit’s Business Scene
By protecting people’s safety, offering jobs, and illustrating what can be achieved with hard work, Jose Burrow and Jose Ross illustrate how first-generation Americans are changing the future of Detroit. Their accomplishment illustrates how much a city that celebrates hard work and diversity requires immigrants. This is the new Detroit.
Two Family-Owned Companies Rooted in Resilience and Service
Southfield Tree Care and Dutton Tree Service cut down trees, yes, but these tree companies also symbolize family, community, and strength. For their success to be an investment in the future of the city, the brothers intend to continue to grow, hire more workers, and tackle more complex projects..
This article appears in Jun 25 – Jul 1, 2025.