Profile: Robert Bartlett Jr. Chairman and CEO of Bartlett Tree Experts ?EUR??,,????'?????<

By Leslie McGuire, managing editor

Portrait of Robert A. Bartlett, Jr., Chairman and CEO, and third generation of Bartlett family management.

Portrait of founder, Francis A. Bartlett.

Portrait of Greg Daniels, President and COO.

With an experienced staff of arborists as well as a unique scientific research facility, Bartlett offers unparalleled expertise, innovation and service in the arboricultural industry. The corporate headquarters is located in Stamford, Connecticut. Founded in 1907 by Francis A. Bartlett, the company is now under its third generation of family management.

Francis A. Bartlett founded The F. A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company on June 6, 1907. Just two years prior, he had graduated from the agricultural college at the University of Massachusetts. He was later awarded a Ph.D. Agriculture and Horticulture by that institution. After graduation, he taught horticulture and managed the campus farm at the Hampton Institute in Virginia for two years. He then relocated to the New York City suburbs where he founded the company and began his mission to care for shade and ornamental plantings on properties where valuable trees were in a general state of decline.

The 350-acre Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories is where new discoveries are made to benefit the industry as well as customers. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

 

Going Global

Only 25 years old at the time, Mr. Bartlett worked out of a rented room until he was able to attract a few young professionals like himself to his fledgling organization. Most had degrees in agriculture or horticulture and, like Mr. Bartlett, were curious about plants. As a result, their purpose was not only to correct whatever was causing area trees to decline, but also to prevent it from happening in the future. They worked to preserve the health and beauty of their clients?EUR??,,????'?????<

Instructor Lem Stout (far left) watches at ground level as the first class of the Bartlett School of Tree Surgery is held behind the founder?EUR??,,????'?????<

In 1920, Bartlett Tree Experts became a Connecticut corporation. Rapid expansion followed with several offices opening in the East and as far West as Chicago. By the mid-1920s, Bartlett was an established leader in the industry with their company headquarters pictured on Canal Street in Stamford, Connecticut (1928).

Cub Arlington Spray Rig, circa 1926, mounted on a Ford chassis and operated out of Philadelphia. The firm has kept up with challenges and changes for over 100 years, and are at the front lines of the Green Movement as well. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Specializing in Each Area

Today, Bartlett has nearly 100 offices worldwide, and 1,500 employees including highly skilled arborists who understand the unique needs of the plant life in the areas in which they operate. All the offices are company owned and managed and there are no franchises.

Science Adds Credibility to the Mix

In addition to their client services, Bartlett is also well known in the tree care industry for its research. By 1927, there was enough scientific work in progress to warrant the establishment of The Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories. The first facility was located in Stamford, Connecticut and since 1965, on a large property in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In 2001, the Company also established a research facility in the United Kingdom to support its operations in Europe. The labs are staffed with Ph.D.s and technicians that specialize in plant pathology, entomology, physiology, horticulture, botany, agriculture, biology, forestry and other related disciplines. New discoveries are continually made to the benefit of the industry as well as the company?EUR??,,????'?????<

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Special Economic Challenges

Today, Robert A. Bartlett, Jr., the third generation of Bartlett family management, leads the company in fulfilling Francis Bartlett?EUR??,,????'?????<

As ever, each period of history presents its special considerations, and the recent economic downturn has presented challenges to all companies. Bartlett, as always, is adjusting its concerns to protect both the trees and their relationship with their clients as well. Explains Bartlett, ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Maintaining Balance and Integrity

From the start, the founder demanded quality workmanship, safe work practices, good service, competitive pricing, good value for his clients and total integrity every step of the way. Over 100 years later, these are the same values Bartlett people live by today: A commitment to treating trees and nurturing them back to good health ?EUR??,,????'?????<

With their varied customer base including residential homeowners as well as property owners and managers of educational facilities, office parks, apartment and condominium complexes, golf courses and more, Bartlett is in a strong position. They maintain national and local relationships with community and charitable organizations and arborist groups, to which they provide consultation and offer services. Says Greg Daniels, Bartlett?EUR??,,????'?????<

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A Tree with Many Branches

As part of its continuing growth efforts, Bartlett Tree Experts established new offices just this spring in two locations. These offices followed the acquisition of Empire Tree and Turf in Augusta, Georgia and Top Notch Tree care in Plymouth, Minnesota. The addition of a location in Augusta complements the company?EUR??,,????'?????<

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A Bartlett arborist applies a reduced-risk pest suppression product. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

As for the future?

The Bartlett Tree Foundation supports future arborists at 29 schools and has funded over $600,000 in total scholarships since its inception. Adds Robert Bartlett, ?EUR??,,????'?????<

It looks as if we have seen three generations ?EUR??,,????'?????<