By Lanier Laney
Beaufort native Ronnie Reiselt met his future wife Sonya when she first walked into Beaufort High School at age 14 after her father, a civil servant, was transferred here in 1984 from Tifton, Georgia. They’ve been happily married for 20 years this October. Ronnie had been working for his father, Ronnie Reiselt Sr. for many years in heavy equipment
excavation. He and Sonya were both entrepreneurs at heart and wanted to create a successful business. That business became Southern Tree Service of Beaufort, one of the most respected tree services in the county, for the past 22 years.
Ronnie, President, and Sonya, Vice-President are both International Society of Aboriculture Certified Arborists and oversee 2-3 crews a day and all aspects of the company.
Their services include tree trimming and stump removal, lightning protection, insect and disease analysis, root fertilization, cabling, bracing, and tree planting and pre-construction tree evaluation among others.
Ronnie stays updated on new practices by continuous training through Tree Care Industry Association and ISA classes and seminars so that he can pass on knowledge of all aspects of tree care to his clients and community. Says Ronnie, “We value our loyal clients and feel a sense of family and responsibility to them. Our success would not be possible without our dedicated office manager, Gen and our great General Foreman, Crew Leaders, and dedicated members of our team.” Sonya agrees adding that “It wouldn’t be possible without the hard work, effort and teamwork they demonstrate daily.”
Sonya is also a realtor with ERA Evergreen Real Estate where she represents both sellers and buyers. She enjoys helping people open a new chapter of their lives by finding the right home for them or selling their current one.
Sonya and Ronnie love the Lowcountry life on the water, and if you are friends of theirs on Facebook, you will see many great photos from the river of their friends and family and now new grandson, Colton, age 1. Says Sonya, “We just love the breathtaking scenery we have so abundantly here, and we enjoy the ambiance and simplicity of life here in the South.”
Ronnie is an avid outdoorsman, and besides being an avid fisherman, also does diving, spear fishing, bow hunting, and on occasion, skydives. Sonya loves to help organize events, spend time on the water as well as spending time with her family. They work out together at Omni Health and Fitness and the YMCA, and Sonya also enjoys yoga at Artizen Yoga Studio.
Friends of Caroline Hospice is a charity very dear to their hearts, and in the past they have been involved with its signature event, the Festival of Trees. They are also active with the American Heart Association. They are active members of Meadowbrook Baptist Church on Lady’s Island.
As for the future, Sonya and Ronnie say they are committed to continuing to do their part to help beautify the Lowcountry and make it a safer place for all of us to live in.
To learn more about Southern Tree Services or to get an evaluation of your tree situation, go to Southerntreeservices.com or call (843) 522-9553. To contact Sonya for your real estate needs call (843) 321-2158 or go to: www.sonyareiselt.com.
