The Asplundh Foundation

Headquartered in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, Asplundh has been helping communities build and maintain safe and effective power through tree and vegetation management for more than 95 years. Since 1994, the Asplundh Foundation, the company’s philanthropic arm, has been a steadfast partner to Penn Medicine Doylestown Health.

Just five years after the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown (VIA) established the first Doylestown Hospital in 1923, the Asplundh Tree Expert Company was founded in 1928 by three brothers—Griffith, Lester, and Carl Asplundh. They combined their expertise in forestry, electrical engineering, and finance to launch a business focused on utility line clearance and vegetation management. Today, the company operates throughout the world as one of the largest “tree trimming” companies.

The focus of the family business is a natural fit: the Asplundh family surname means “a grove of aspen trees” in Swedish. Aspen trees are known to be part of a single, interconnected organism through their root systems, signifying perpetual renewal. Seven grandchildren of the founders lead Asplundh’s 36,000 employees and are dedicated to nurturing, protecting, and sustaining the environment for future generations.

In 1953, Carl and Lester Asplundh codified their family’s legacy of service by establishing the Asplundh Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to supporting health care, community initiatives, and especially local church school education. The foundation continues to reflect the family’s deep commitment to spiritual stewardship, civic responsibility, and community well-being. As the family grew and expanded beyond its original confines in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, many family members settled in Bucks County and came to rely on the outstanding health care services provided by Penn Medicine Doylestown Hospital.

“The founders of Asplundh and Doylestown Hospital both recognized a need to support the health and well-being of the communities they served. Through their vision and determination, our organizations have not only stood the test of time, but flourished,” said Jim Brexler, CEO of Penn Medicine Doylestown Health. “For the last thirty years, the Asplundh Foundation’s support has been integral to our growth and innovation,” he said. “I’m also grateful to members of the Asplundh family who have supported the hospital’s strategic vision over the years through their volunteer leadership and personal giving.”

The late Carl Hj. Asplundh Jr., who passed away in March of 2025, was the third son of Asplundh co-founder Carl Hj. Asplundh Sr. and Emilie Asplundh. He served on the Doylestown Hospital Board of Trustees and personally supported key hospital projects, like the 2007 Emergency Department renovation, as part of his decades-long involvement. “When corporate leaders make a commitment to mission-driven organizations in our community, we all benefit,” said Brexler.

Continuing the Asplundh family’s philanthropic tradition is deeply important to Emily Jane Lemole, daughter of founder Carl Asplundh. “Recognizing the significant impact philanthropy can have across health systems, and in keeping with its original mission to support regional hospitals, the Asplundh Foundation began contributing to Doylestown Hospital. Over three decades, the Asplundh Foundation has given $1.8 million to Doylestown Hospital, and we look forward to continuing to support this essential regional resource,” said Lemole.

Most recently, the Asplundh Foundation was a major donor to ONE VISION: The Campaign for Doylestown Health, a comprehensive campaign that raised more than $106 million for state-of-the-art facilities, programs, and technology across the health system.

For Laura Wortman, Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer, partnering with donors like Emily Jane and her family offers a unique perspective on the power of multi-generational giving. “The Asplundh family is carrying forward an exceptional legacy of philanthropic giving that started with Emily Jane’s parents,” she said. “Every generation is making a real difference with their giving—and their support of Penn Medicine Doylestown Health has been transformative. We are truly grateful for their commitment to helping us deliver world-class care now and well into the future.”

Learn more about how your company can support Penn Medicine Doylestown Health by visiting: DoylestownHealthFoundation.org/Ways-To-Give

Article appears in the 2025 Philanthropy Report