Dan Kjeldbjerg – President & Owner, Poul's Landscaping & Nursery

Lake/Forest Lake Bluff Chamber: Tell us a little about Poul’s Landscaping and what makes your business unique?

DK: Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery was founded back in 1966 by my late father, Paul Kjeldbjerg, who immigrated from Denmark. Under his guidance, we've grown into a family-operated business that's deeply rooted in the communities of Lake Forest and Lake Bluff. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to honesty, quality, and safety—values that my father cherished and that we continue to uphold today.

We take pride in the strong relationships we’ve built, with many of our clients and team members being with us for over 30 years. This sense of family and community has been central to our approach, and we believe it’s why we were voted “Best Landscaper” by Daily Herald subscribers two of the last three years.

We are grateful to all who have supported us through the years. We look forward to continuing to serve our community with the same standards of excellence that were set from our very beginning.

LFLB: What inspired you to pursue a career in Landscaping?

DK: Continuing and growing the family legacy established by our father has always been a cornerstone of our motivation. After I (Dan) earned my business degree from Northern Illinois University, I recognized a unique opportunity to blend my educational background with the deep-rooted connections to the family business. This combination has enabled us to innovate while maintaining the high standards of quality and values that Poul’s is known for.

Alan, co-owner and my brother, manages our nursery division and field operations across both the Long Grove and Wadsworth locations. Joining the company in 1994 after earning his Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture/Horticulture from The Ohio State University, Alan has significantly enhanced our operational capabilities. He oversees fleet maintenance, equipment purchases, and inventory, ensuring our operations run smoothly and efficiently.

Together, we are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of excellence in landscaping, upholding the legacy our father left us, and ensuring that Poul’s continues to flourish under our family’s vision and hard work."

LFLB: Thank you for your support of our Chamber! Are there other ways that Poul’s Landscaping plans to support the community?

DK: Our team has proudly contributed to local Habitat for Humanity projects, sponsored Eagle Scout endeavors, donated memorial trees, and supported initiatives with Catholic Charities. During the challenging times of the Covid pandemic, we also offered free spring cleanups to nurses, recognizing their extraordinary efforts and the stress they faced. We continue to seek ways to give back and support our community, ensuring that our actions reflect our gratitude and responsibility as a local business.

LFLB: Is there anything else you would like to share about your business?

DK: We are proud to operate two nursery locations in Lake County, spanning 150 acres where we cultivate a variety of Shade Trees, Evergreens, Shrubs, and Ornamentals. We offer these both wholesale and through direct installations for our clients, ensuring quality from growth to garden.

On a personal note, I’ve cultivated a passion project—a 1-acre vineyard in Long Grove. This venture allows us to produce up to 1000 bottles of wine each season. We cherish the opportunity to share these bottles with our customers and host wine tasting events, which have become a delightful way for us to connect with the community and share something truly unique from Poul’s.