1. What benefits set Trees Investment Counsel apart?

2. What criteria do you use for identifying companies that are good long term, high quality securities?

3. After identifying an industry or asset, how do you determine when or how much to buy?

4. Should I treat my IRA or retirement plan differently than my personal investments?

5. Should I consider international securities?

6. What source of investment information do you use?

7. Should I use individual securities or mutual funds?

8. What are your fixed income strategies?

9. What are your sell disciplines?

10. Do you have experience with both Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts?

11. Do you have full authority on my account or can I give you guidelines?

12. Do you recommend all clients invest in private securities?

1. What benefits set Trees Investment Counsel apart?

At Trees Investment Counsel, we do not have a sales culture or an internal agenda. Our interests are 100% aligned with your goals. Our income is based solely on fees derived from the market value of portfolios under our management. As such, our objective is for your accounts to grow strongly and consistently.

We work with our clients, along with their attorneys and accountants, to formulate investment, tax planning, and estate programs that are coordinated with each other and specifically designed for the client’s unique circumstances.

Our median client relationship tenure is over ten years. We believe one of the principle advantages for clients of Trees Investment Counsel is the continuity of the relationship they maintain with their financial counselor. Our professionals are experienced and accessible. The same team manages all aspects of a client’s portfolio.

2. What criteria do you use for identifying companies that are good long term, high quality securities?

For the core of our portfolios, we look for companies with high quality management teams and sound financial structures in industries where earnings per share growth is consistent and above-average. Opportunistic investments may be added where we expect earnings growth to outperform in the next business cycle.

3. After identifying an industry or asset, how do you determine when or how much to buy?

Diversification is the most basic rule of investing. It lowers risk for any given level of return. Higher volatility holdings are purchased in smaller amounts and we generally do not invest over 5% of any one account in a single holding.

4. Should I treat my IRA or retirement plan differently than my personal investments?

Personal investments should be more equity-oriented than your retirement plan. Your overall asset allocation goals should be met in creative ways.

5. Should I consider international securities?

We hold ten to twenty percent of most equity portfolios in American Depository Receipts (ADRs). ADRs are shares of foreign domiciled corporations traded in the United States. Currency risk is typically diversified and small for any one country. We believe ADRs provide a way to lower risk and increase return for equity portfolios.

6. What source of investment information do you use?

Our direct research of the economy and fixed and equity markets is supplemented by sophisticated investment tools, research from investment firms, and independent analytical organizations. Over the past four decades, we have experienced the ups and downs of market cycles which gives us a balanced picture of future possibilities. We search for both the plusses and the minuses before making investment commitments.

7. Should I use individual securities or mutual funds?

For those with over one million in investable assets, individual securities provide greater flexibility and control, and incur lower fees. Your financial concerns are addressed discretely by personal investment advisors with in-depth experience.

8. What are your fixed income strategies?

Bond portfolios are managed to produce consistent after-tax real returns. We have a preference for high-grade debt (AA or better) in U.S. Government, U.S. Government Agency, foreign, corporate and tax-exempt bonds. Within the high quality alternatives, we vary the maturity structure and sector weightings to take advantage of changes within the fixed income markets.

9. What are your sell disciplines?

There are three catalysts for change. The first is “Are we where we want to be?” If not, do something. The second is “Are the companies we own going to outperform on a three to five year basis?” If not, do something. The third is “Does the portfolio conform to the agreed upon asset mix and individual security size guidelines for the account?” If not, and if capital gain considerations do not prevent it, do something.

10. Do you have experience with both Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts?

Yes. A large part of our business involves complex family situations with multiple trusts, retirement accounts, and personal portfolios integrated into a general plan for the family.

11. Do you have full authority on my account or can I give you guidelines?

We cannot invest properly without your input. We work with you to establish goals and set parameters for your portfolio. Two important parameters to be determined mutually are the level of risk appropriate for your portfolio (i.e. no sleepless nights due to market volatility) and the anticipated investment horizon. We then continuously monitor the portfolio and consult with you to adjust for changing circumstances. The individual asset selection is generally left up to us.

12. Do you recommend all clients invest in private securities?

Due to the illiquid nature of most private investments and the longer time horizon to harvest returns (5-15 years), alternative investments are not appropriate for all clients. In addition, achieving a diversified portfolio of alternative investments requires a substantial capital commitment; and the use of fund of funds to achieve greater diversification can be costly because of the layers of fees, making the risk reward less appealing. Moreover, near-term income needs can obviate the benefits of investing in private securities altogether. We consider private securities for clients on a case-by-case basis.