After nearly 26 years, Frans and Connie Broers as owners of Re-Leaf Tree Care, are headed into retirement, and are expressing gratitude to all of their many loyal customers in the area.

“It’s so bittersweet,” the couple said. Hans always climbed the trees he cut and didn’t use a bucket truck. So, growing in age, he said he it’s time to stop climbing each day. 

The couple married in 1977 and started their life together in California. Frans is a native of Holland and Connie is from Hampton. In California, they opened their first tree business, working in the majestic redwoods.

By 1992, business had slowed out west and the couple decided to move back east to where Connie’s roots are and landed in Gloucester. That was when they immediately started Re-Leaf. “He came up with the name,” Connie said. “It just popped into my head,” Frans said, “and it stuck.”

Over nearly three decades of business, the couple has se...