But not to Jeannine Cumming of Irving.

The owner of Tree Artistry was the only woman she knew of in the tree trimming business when she started 16 years ago. A few more have joined her to brave the heights and care for trees.

"I loved climbing trees as a kid," the 50-year-old said. "My mom and dad were naturalists, and they gave me a deep appreciation of nature."

In her freshman year of high school, she carved a saying onto a log for an art project and won first place.

Her destiny was taking shape.

But there were a few detours along the way.

After graduating from Irving High School, Ms. Cumming attended college to study photography and advertising. She was a production artist for a few years. She also worked as a counselor at the Bear Creek Recovery Center in Irving.

"The center closed, so I needed another job," she said.

Her tenants sparked her to act on her love of trees and the outdoors.

"I rented my garage apartment to tree trimmers from Minnesota," she said. "They gave me a rope and a saddle, and that was it."

She's been climbing trees ever since.

Her referral network is so strong that she doesn't have to advertise. She has worked on some notable properties - including the historic Webb Chapel Cemetery in Farmers Branch, the Ellis County Courthouse and Mark Cuban's yard. Her latest project is a 1.6-acre corner lot in the Bluffview neighborhood of Dallas, filled with towering trees.

Ms. Cumming's service includes everything from pre-consultation to trimming. She sets up her office - a table for her plans and a tarp for tools - among the trees she trims. She has three employees. If a project is too large, she contracts out for help.

She's also devoted many volunteer hours to helping Irving and even taught a course, Tree 101, through the city.

"She's really community-oriented," said Fran Witte, Irving's Solid Waste Programs and Marketing supervisor. "Her work is honored with a plaque in downtown Irving."

Ms. Cumming grew up with four siblings. Her mother, Lucette Cumming, is from France and moved to Irving when she married a Texan.

The family is proud of Jeannine.

"She has carved a niche in the market because of the way she sees trees," her brother Adrian Cumming said, relaying how she received a referral to work on the property of prominent civic leader and developer John Stemmons.

"He had a love of trees, and Jeannine became part of his family," Mr. Cumming said.

Ms. Cumming shrugs off the praise, saying her work is all about the trees.

"I get to work in the joyful part of people's homes," she said.

E-mail: dfleck@dallasnews.com