Our Story: Building Legacy
Outdoor Spaces Since 1983

What started with a pickup truck, a handful of clients, and a stubborn refusal to cut corners has become a full-service residential design-build firm serving Southeastern Pennsylvania. Established in 1983, with 70 to 90 employees and 43 years of experience across the region, this is the story of how we got here and why it matters for your next project.

How Blue Tree Outdoor Living Began

Blue Tree Outdoor Living is a full-service residential design-build firm headquartered in Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, serving homeowners throughout Southeastern PA, including Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Berks, and Philadelphia Counties. Originally founded as Blue Tree Landscaping in 1983 and now operating as Blue Tree Outdoor Living to reflect the full scope of its outdoor living services, the company designs, builds, and maintains custom outdoor living spaces including landscape design and installation, hardscape design and construction, custom inground pool design and installation, Healthy Yards programs, and ongoing property maintenance. Blue Tree employs 70 to 90 professionals with an average employee tenure of 13 to 14 years, and is led by co-owners Jeff Mattiola and Chad Ochnich, who have been partners since 1995.

But the numbers don't tell you why we do this. The story does.
Established

NALP

Affiliated

70 to 90

Employees
Blue Tree Outdoor Living started in 1983 as a small landscaping operation, an outgrowth of the Blue Tree Garden Center in Southeastern Pennsylvania. For several years, it was a way to pay for college and cover living expenses. Design-build work on a shoestring.
Jeff Mattiola joined the company in 1989. Already involved in landscaping before Blue Tree, Jeff had been managing a restaurant but knew outdoor living was where he belonged. Armed with a degree from the University of Pittsburgh, he saw the potential and made the leap. Within three years, he'd bought out the original partner and was running the business on his own.
There was no safety net. No outside investors. No business plan sitting in a filing cabinet. Just grit, determination, and what Jeff calls "the sheer desire of success."
Jeff's family was his lifeline in those early years. His parents gave him a place to stay so he could pour every dollar back into the business instead of rent. His father, after retiring, would come hang out at the shop, one of Jeff's favorite memories from that era.

Jeff wanted to build something that would last.
A person operates a yellow bulldozer, clearing soil near a tree along a rural roadside lined with greenery and trees on a sunny day.
Jeff Mattiola, Blue Tree founder and President, headshot

Jeff Mattiola

"My dad always said to me, 'All you have in life is your reputation. Don't mess it up.' That stuck with me. It's guided everything we do."

Jeff Mattiola, Owner

43 Years of Growth. Zero Shortcuts.

Blue Tree didn't become a full-service outdoor living company overnight. We earned every capability one honest project at a time.

Blue Tree Founded

Started as a small landscape design-build operation in Southeastern Pennsylvania, growing out of the Blue Tree Garden Center.

Jeff Mattiola Becomes partner

Already involved in landscaping before Blue Tree, Jeff leaves restaurant management to go all-in. University of Pittsburgh graduate sees the potential and makes the leap into outdoor living full-time.

Services Expand

Hardscaping, turf care, mowing, snow removal, and even a bulk material delivery business (Landscape Depot) are added. Home shows with 20x40 garden display booths. Christmas tree lots, eight of them. "We tried a lot of different things."

Jeff Becomes Sole Owner

Buys out the original partner. "Blood, sweat, and tears went into building this."

Chad Ochnich Joins as Partner

Chad had been running Flat Top Landscaping, specializing in mowing and turf care. Jeff loved design-build. Different strengths, perfect synergy. Chad brings Delaware Valley College training and ICPI certification. The partnership is born.

Economic Downturn

The team pivots to four-day, ten-hour workweeks to conserve resources and keep every employee working. "Our resilience and determination got us through. Everybody just hunkered down."

Pool Division Launches

Customers keep telling Blue Tree Outdoor Living how frustrated they are with pool-only builders who don't care about the landscape. Jeff and Chad hire an experienced pool builder with 20+ years of expertise and partner with Jandy (Fluidra) for equipment. "If we're going to do this, we need to do it right." First year: four pools.

COVID-19 Adaptation

Deemed essential, the team adapts protocols to keep employees working safely. "My people needed to work. They needed to provide income and food to their families."

Full-Service Outdoor Living

Five service divisions, 70 to 90 employees, 8 or more designers and sales professionals, certified pool construction managers, and a reputation built on 43 years of showing up, doing the work right, and never disappearing after the check clears.

What We Believe

These aren't marketing slogans. They're the principles that have kept us in business for 43 years, and that you'll experience from the first phone call to the final walkthrough.

Reputation Over Revenue

Jeff's father told him, "All you have in life is your reputation." That philosophy drives every decision, from which projects we take on to which materials we spec. We'd rather lose a job than cut a corner.

Relationships, Not Transactions

We're not trying to turn and burn. We want to be your outdoor living partner for life. Some of our client relationships stretch back 25 to 30 years. We're now doing work for the children of clients we started with.

Do It Right or Don't Do It

When we added pool construction around 2011, we didn't wing it. We hired a builder with over 20 years of experience, partnered with Jandy for premium equipment, and accepted that the first few years wouldn't be profitable. That's the standard for everything we do.

Adapt and Survive

From the 2008 recession to COVID-19, we've proven we can pivot without compromising. Four-day workweeks to save jobs. Safety protocols to keep crews working. Agility isn't a buzzword here. It's a survival skill.

Invest in People

Our average employee tenure is 13 to 14 years. In an industry with brutal turnover, that number says more about our culture than any mission statement ever could. We grow careers here, not just lawns.

Transparency First

We tell you what things cost, how long they'll take, and what could go wrong, before we start. When unknowns arise mid-project, we pick up the phone before we pick up a shovel. No surprises.

We're Corporate, But We're Not Corporate

Blue Tree Outdoor Living employs 70 to 90 professionals throughout the year, peaking around 90 in the spring and summer and settling closer to 70 as the season changes. We have full-time salaried leadership, 8 or more designers and sales professionals who work across all service lines, dedicated project managers, administrative staff handling bookkeeping and scheduling, and experienced field crews who know what they're doing.
Our designers hold degrees from Penn State, Rutgers, Temple University, and Penn College of Technology, in landscape architecture, landscape contracting, horticulture, and landscape design. They don't work in silos. When one of them encounters a challenge (an unusual grade, a design concept they haven't built before, or a material question), they bring it to the group. The collective wisdom of more than 100 combined years of design and sales experience gets applied to your specific project. That's the advantage of a team that's been together this long.
Blue Tree's pool division has a 15-year pool construction track record and includes certified construction managers.

But here's the difference: anybody can walk up to Jeff or Chad and talk to them. There's no red tape. There's no three-week approval process. If something needs to change on your project, a decision happens that day.
Two men stand smiling in front of a door with a Blue Tree logo. Both wear polo shirts and shorts; one in maroon, the other in blue. The building exterior is stone, and lanterns are mounted on either side of the door.
Blue Tree milestone icon
13 to 14 Years. That's the average tenure of a Blue Tree Outdoor Living employee. In an industry where turnover is measured in months, our people stay for decades. They stay because the culture is built on respect, collaboration, and the kind of work they're proud to put their name on.

From Landscaping to Full-Service Outdoor Living

The pool story is the one that best illustrates who we are. We didn't chase a trend. We listened to a need and refused to do it halfway. Blue Tree added pool construction in 2011 and now brings a 15-year pool construction track record to each project.

For years, Blue Tree Outdoor Living worked alongside pool companies on residential projects. We'd handle the landscape before the pool went in, or clean up the mess after a pool-only contractor left. And we kept hearing the same frustration from homeowners:

"The pool company sold me the job and I never saw the salesperson again."

"Nobody thought about where the storm water would go."

"I have to hire someone else just to finish the grading and seeding."

"There was no thought to how the pool connects to the rest of my yard."

Jeff and Chad looked at each other and said, "We could do this better." But they didn't just jump in. They hired a pool construction professional with over 20 years of experience to teach them how to build a pool the right way: excavation, rebar, plumbing, plaster, tile, and coping. They partnered with Jandy (Fluidra) for pool equipment because of the quality, reputation, and post-sale support. And they accepted that the pool division would cost them money before it made them any.

The first year, they built four pools. Today, Blue Tree Outdoor Living designs and builds everything from straightforward backyard pools to full resort-style outdoor living spaces with integrated spas, grottos, waterfalls, slides, sheer descents, and raised bond beams. Because landscape design, hardscaping, lighting, drip irrigation where appropriate, and ongoing maintenance are already under the same roof, homeowners get a coordinated single point of contact for the entire project, from the first design consultation to the last mulch spread.

"A lot of people nowadays want that single point of contact, and we're able to provide that for them. A turnkey approach where we have degreed designers who can go out and design based on your vision, your lifestyle, and your budget." Jeff Mattiola

Aerial view of a completed custom pool and spa with a paver patio, landscaped beds, and curved retaining walls by Blue Tree Outdoor Living.Pool Studio concept rendering of a custom pool, spa, patio, and landscape design by Blue Tree Outdoor Living.

Generations Working Together

When Jeff and Chad built Blue Tree, they didn't know their families would one day become part of the story. Over the years, children, spouses, and extended family members have worked alongside the Blue Tree Outdoor Living team, helping carry forward the values and culture that have defined the company since the beginning.

Blue Tree Outdoor Living is led by co-owners Jeff Mattiola and Chad Ochnich, two partners from separate families who've been building this company together. It's not a family business in the traditional sense. It's something rarer: a partnership that's lasted over 30 years because both owners share the same values and refuse to cut corners.

During the summers of high school and college, the children of each owner, Jeff's children, Meg, Andrew, David, and John, and Chad's daughters, Natalia and Brielle, grew up working alongside the Blue Tree team, whether they were out in the field building beautiful landscapes, shoveling snow during winter storms, or helping in the busy office answering phone calls and assisting customers. From an early age, they learned the value of hard work, teamwork, and taking pride in serving the community. Those experiences helped shape the family-oriented culture that continues to define Blue Tree today.

Two of Jeff's sons, Andrew and John, joined the company after earning their college degrees in Landscape Design and Construction. Today, they work as landscape design and sales professionals at Blue Tree Outdoor Living, meeting with clients daily and creating custom outdoor living spaces that bring each homeowner's vision to life. Jeff's wife, Maureen, is also an important part of the team, helping lead the company's marketing efforts through advertising, branding, and community outreach initiatives.

Chad's daughter, Brielle, has embraced the company's commitment to giving back. During her Christmas breaks from college, she dedicates her time to collecting food and toys for families in need through Blue Tree's partnership with the Collegeville Bakery Food and Toy Drive. Her involvement reflects the strong family values and community spirit that have been passed down through generations at Blue Tree.

When you hire Blue Tree, you're working with people who've staked their careers, their reputations, and their family names on delivering for you. That creates a level of accountability rooted in decades of shared work.

Two men stand smiling at a Blue Tree Landscaping expo booth, which displays banners with images of landscaping projects. The table in front has brochures, business cards, pens, and a bottle of water.
A person wearing a yellow shirt and cap smiles while sitting in the driver’s seat of a white Blue Tree Landscaping Inc. truck parked beside a building. The door displays the company logo and USDOT number.
A smiling man sits at a desk with paperwork while a woman in a Team USA shirt and hat sits on his lap. Behind them are a mounted antelope head and framed photos on a beige wall.
A worker operates a small loader to dump soil and debris into a Blue Tree Landscaping truck, with another worker standing nearby on a sunny day outdoors.
A young girl and an adult are gardening in a yard, with another worker nearby. They are surrounded by bushes and soil, and two pickup trucks are parked on the street in a suburban neighborhood.

Giving Back to the Communities We've Served for 43 Years

Blue Tree Outdoor Living isn't just in Southeastern Pennsylvania, we're part of it. Our employees live here, our kids grew up here, and our suppliers are here. Giving back isn't a marketing initiative; it's personal.

Jeff has focused his community involvement on youth: sponsoring sports teams, providing uniforms, and supporting local athletics across the region. The annual food and toy drive with Collegeville Bakery every Christmas brings a particular smile. "Anytime I can help kids do better," Jeff says, "I feel like I'm helping the community."

Beyond formal sponsorships, there's a quieter form of community involvement: mentoring. Kids have shadowed Jeff to learn about the industry. He talks to high school and college students about career opportunities in outdoor living, an industry most high schoolers never consider. It's the kind of relationship-building that defines a company after 43 years.

Three people smile in a store next to full shopping carts, with one person giving a thumbs up and another kneeling beside a German Shepherd dog on a leash. Shelves of clothes and toys are visible in the background.Two people unload boxes of groceries and household items from the bed of a pickup truck on a sunny day. One person stands on the ground holding a box; the other stands in the truck bed handing down items.
A manicured garden in front of a brick building spells out IMPACT with greenery; three flagpoles stand nearby, and a sign reads STUDENT CENTER. The sky is partly cloudy.A white sign for the West-Mont United Soccer Association stands on a grassy area by a road, with a white pickup truck and houses in the background. The sign welcomes visitors and provides contact information.

The Families Who Keep Coming Back

Some Blue Tree client relationships span 25 to 30 years. Jeff Mattiola recently said goodbye to a client of three decades when she moved into a retirement community after her husband passed away. Jeff stayed beside her through the transition. "It's not about the landscaping at that point," he says. "It's the relationship you've built." That tenure now extends across generations. One Royersford family hired Blue Tree Outdoor Living to create a pool and outdoor living space. The children who grew up there later took high school and college graduation photos beside the pool. The homeowner described the value of having the family together at home as "priceless." Blue Tree builds outdoor spaces meant to become part of a family's story, not something that needs replacing in five years.
A large, two-story house with stone and beige siding, black shutters, and multiple gables. The front yard features manicured shrubs, green grass, and several trees under a blue sky.
Blue Tree milestone icon
"She knew what she wanted, but she was also very open. It was always a conversation. She would educate us with what she knew, and we would educate her on what was going to work and what wasn't. After six months of working together, she became more than just a customer. She was like family."

Everything Your Outdoor
Space Needs. One Team.

From the pool to the patio to the plants that frame it all, we handle the full picture so nothing falls through the cracks.
Custom inground pool with patio and fire feature by Blue Tree Outdoor Living

Custom Pools & Water Features

Resort-style pools, spas, waterfalls, & grottos, designed for your property, not from a catalog
Aerial view of a curved paver patio by Blue Tree Outdoor Living

Patios, Walls & Outdoor Kitchens

Structures built to last generations by craftsmen who take pride in the details
Front-yard landscape beds and plantings by Blue Tree Outdoor Living

Landscape Design & Planting

Native plants, seasonal color, and designs that thrive in Southeastern PA's climate
A person operates a yellow and black lawn care machine on green grass near a wooden playset in a fenced backyard.

Healthy Yards

Science-backed fertilization, weed control, & lawn aeration your neighbors will notice
Landscape lighting illuminating a home and yard by Blue Tree Outdoor Living

Landscape Lighting

Professionally designed LED systems that add safety, security, and ambiance after dark
Blue Tree crew spreading mulch in landscape beds

Year-Round Care

Seasonal cleanups, pool service, and ongoing care that keeps everything looking its best

Common Questions

Blue Tree Outdoor Living was founded in 1983 in Norristown, Pennsylvania, by a high school friend of Jeff Mattiola as a design-build operation to pay for college. Jeff joined in 1989 after two years managing a restaurant and bought out the original partner in 1992. Chad Ochnich became a partner in 1995 and brought Flat Top Landscaping into the business. In 2008, after 25 years in Norristown, Blue Tree moved its headquarters to Schwenksville.

Blue Tree Outdoor Living is co-owned by Jeff Mattiola and Chad Ochnich, two partners from separate families who have led the company together since 1995. The ownership structure has been stable for over three decades. Members of both families have worked across the business in the office, operations, design, sales, and the field, helping carry forward the culture behind the company's 13 to 14 year average employee tenure.

Three structural differences. Blue Tree Outdoor Living runs Pools, Landscapes, Hardscapes, Healthy Yards, and Premier Outdoor Services in-house under one roof, with one designer leading every project. The team carries 13 to 14 year average employee tenure and more than 100 years of combined experience across 8 or more designers and sales professionals. Pricing is transparent: named ranges, itemized proposals, and a fixed-scope quote, instead of the contractor pattern of low-bid-then-up-charge. Forty-three years of Southeastern PA experience sits underneath it.

Designers, not salespeople. Blue Tree Outdoor Living has eight or more designers and sales professionals on staff with over 100 years of combined design experience. Several hold degrees from Delaware Valley College, Penn State, and similar landscape architecture or horticulture programs. The designer leads the discovery, draws the plan, manages the build, and stays with you through warranty. As Jérôme Besnard puts it, "We're more designers than salesmen." Compensation isn't structured around closing on the first visit.

Yes. Your designer is your point of contact from the first site visit through construction, final walkthrough, and warranty period. That's a structural choice, not a marketing line. With 13 to 14 year average employee tenure across the company, the person designing your project is likely still here when you call three years later about an addition. No handoffs between sales and project management. The designer's name goes on the project file.

The lifetime structural warranty covers the structural integrity of every concrete pool shell Blue Tree Outdoor Living builds for as long as the original homeowner owns the property. Structural integrity means the shell stays watertight and intact under normal use. Cosmetic finishes such as plaster and tile have their own warranty terms. The lifetime warranty reflects Blue Tree's 15-year pool construction track record and the standards used to build and oversee each concrete pool shell.

Both. Blue Tree Outdoor Living builds custom concrete (gunite) inground pools and fiberglass inground pools. We do not do vinyl liner pools or above-ground pools. Concrete gives you a fully custom shape, size, and finish, with a lifetime structural warranty on the shell. Fiberglass gives you a faster install and a smooth, low-maintenance surface, and you can see the options on our fiberglass pools page. Your designer walks you through which construction method fits your yard, your budget, and how you plan to use the pool. Concrete and gunite spas integrated with the pool itself are in scope and serviced; standalone hot tubs are not on offer today.

Blue Tree Outdoor Living serves Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Berks, and Philadelphia Counties across Southeastern PA. Our headquarters is at 4494 Skippack Pike, Schwenksville, PA 19473, and we design and install throughout the seven-county region. We know the township permit process in Skippack, Lower Providence, Worcester, Doylestown, West Chester, and the rest of our service area.

Where Our Experience Adds Up

Since 1989
Jeff Mattiola has led Blue Tree Outdoor Living since 1989. Chad Ochnich joined as co-owner in 1995. Two owners, one direction, and stable leadership at the top.
100+ Years
More than 100 years of combined design and sales experience across 8 or more designers and sales professionals working through the pool, landscape, and hardscape divisions.
15 Years
Blue Tree brings a 15-year pool construction track record, with certified construction professionals overseeing pool builds.
Long-Tenured Team
Blue Tree's landscape and hardscape team includes long-tenured project managers and designers who work across service lines.
Decades of Turf Care
Mark Peasley's Healthy Yards team brings decades of hands-on turf-care experience to lawn and property-care programs.

Ready to Start?

Whether you're dreaming of a resort-style pool, a patio built for gathering, or a landscape that finally feels like you, let's talk.
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Blue Tree Outdoor Living
  • © 2026 Blue Tree Landscaping, Inc., dba Blue Tree Outdoor Living. All Rights Reserved.

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A clear blue swimming pool with a diving board, patio, and outdoor gazebo with seating, surrounded by trees and a black fence under a partly cloudy sky.

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