Winter on the mind: customers adding their names to Hembrough’s snow removal list
By Jessica Brown
Hembrough, Inc. Tree & Lawn Care has been a leader in local landscaping expertise for 71 years. After all that time, recently appointed General Manager Jenn Jennings says it is still dedicated to all the needs customers have. After the company changed ownership, Jennings took over that role just over two months ago. She replaced longtime General Manager Steve Hembrough, who ran the company for over 40 years.
Jennings says she still turns to him for advice. “He has a lot of skills I can learn from,” she says, and adds that even though customers may see a new face when enlisting the business’ services, the company is still locally run.
Having offered full service landscaping for West Central Illinois residential and commercial clients since 1955, the landscaping business has offered services such as grounds maintenance, gardening services, hardscapes, tree removal, and snow removal and ice control, as examples. The last one requires the client to be on a specific list or schedule to receive service.
In order to be put on a snow route or a list of continual clients in need of snow removal and ice control, Jennings says it’s best to contact the office in September. The reason for the early planning is for the urgent need for predictably. “We try to get ahead of what will be needed, so we know what to expect on our route before the snow hits,” she explains.
Crew workers gather before a workday recently. Pictured are (front row, from left) Marlo Jackson, Alex Cifuentes and Rodney Williams, Jr.; (middle row, from left) Eric Wallace, Carl Lindgren, Luke Talkington, Mike Dolen, Office Manager Margaret Wankel, General Manager Jenn Jennings and Rodney Deskovich; and (top) Tristan Knifley.
Office Manager Margaret Wankel agrees and says their company is ahead of the game when snow is in the forecast. “As soon as the snow starts falling, we need ice melted down and we need plowing done,” she says.
She notes, too, that for commercial businesses and entities like nursing homes, it can be a liability for when customers and patients are walking on sidewalks, parking lots and outdoor areas in conditions could cause falls. “It’s dangerous where there’s snow or ice on the ground because the elderly and others who might be walking could fall and get hurt.”
Jennings says if the company has time and a worker to spare, it is possible for customers to still call in and request snow removal. “We take calls where a person might ask if we can just come and help … and as long as we have time, we will,” she says.
Although snow removal and ice control are the most common services during the coming winter months for the business, Jennings would like to keep the business’ warm weather services fresh in the minds of customers as well. “We do lawn applications, we mow lawns, clean up and plant trees,” Jennings says, in addition to many other options.
“We actually do gardens, like figuring out what flowers you want, bushes and things like that,” she explains. Jennings shares that jobs such as installing pavers for patios and cleaning ponds are available for hire as well.
For more information on snow plowing and the other many services provided by Hembrough, Inc. Tree & Lawn Care, search their Facebook page under the same name, call 217-245-6227 or visit or their website at hembroughinc.com.
Hembrough, Inc. Tree & Lawn Care is located at 2148 E. State St. in Jacksonville.
