Matthew Van Valkenburgh is a tower foreman for KMM Logistics and Network Services. (Provided photo — Martha Allen)

KEENE VALLEY — Residents here may be aware that there is a cellphone tower — or cellular emission tower — somewhere behind the Neighborhood House, but to the untrained eye it can be difficult to see the tower for the trees.

This is because it is cleverly disguised as a pine tree in order to fit into its surroundings. Known alternatively as a stealth tower, a monopine and a Frankenpine, the tower boasts bark as well as detachable branches.

“They (the branches) are very heavy,” attests Matthew Van Valkenburgh, tower foreman east at KMM Logistics and Network Services. He should know. Van Valkenburgh and coworker Dan Cieniewicz have spent the last week of April repairing and updating the transmission equipment at the top of the 120-foot tower.

The Keene Valley cell tower is shared by At&T and Verizon, but KMM was contracted for this job by Verizon.

To reach the top, they ride the telescopic boom lift, or man lift, which is capable of extending to a height of 185 feet, 7 inches. Its aerial work platform approaches but never touches the antenna-level equipment at the top of the tower. For transit to and from a job, the man lift collapses and folds, compactly enough to be transported by truck.

This Telescopic boom lift, also called a manlift, can reach higher than other types of aerial lifts. Its horizontal outreach facilitates work around obstacles and on tall structures. (Provided photo — Martha Allen)

Very windy weather can make working on the aerial platform more difficult, Van Valkenburgh said. He added that he is so used to the platform’s movement he may feel motion sickness, like seasickness, but not until he is back on the ground.

Frankenpines are not the only stealth towers. Cell towers may be disguised to fit in with scenic vistas in various parts of the country, Van Valkenburgh said. Out West there are 40-foot cactus cell towers, and in California there are cellular transmission towers simulating palm trees in groves of the genuine article.

The Keene Valley job was finished April 30. Next on the schedule is Lake Placid’s Crown Plaza, then Trumansburg village in the Finger Lakes.

“After Trumansburg, we’ll be at the ski jumps (in Lake Placid),” Van Valkenburgh said. “That’s one of my favorite views — Colden, Algonquin, Marcy. I’m excited.”

Travel and long work hours keep him away from his family more than he would like, and he misses his two sons, Sawyer, 5, and Colden, 8. Aside from that, Van Valkenburgh says, “I love this job. I love everything about it.”

Tower foreman Matt Van Valkenburgh took this photograph from the man lift while working on the Keene Valley Neighborhood House “Frankenpine” cell tower. (Provided photo)