Bartlett Tree Experts: Cultivating Healthier Environments With Expert Tree Care

Since 1907, Bartlett Tree Experts has provided uncompromised service, consulting and research on every aspect of tree maintenance. Although they are one of the largest residential and commercial tree care firms in the world, the family-owned company remains rooted in small business values and a commitment to science. “We deliver science-based tree care while maintaining family values that pervade the organization,” says Vice President  Midwest Division Scott Jamieson.  

With more than 125 locations worldwide, including offices in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada, Bartlett has a global reach, but maintains a local touch. Their 11 Midwest offices and satellite locations include partnerships with leading organizations such as the Morton Arboretum and the Lurie Garden. “Our corporate [team] includes nine Ph.D. scientists who work on everything from soil to roots to insects to disease. They’re constantly conducting research, both on landscape sites and in labs, and we apply those findings with our clients and share it with the industry,” says Jamieson. 

Bartlett provides services to residential and commercial customers, as well as some municipalities and nonprofit organizations. They help with every aspect of tree care, including pruning, storm damage, fertilization, soil care, and insect and disease management.

Jamieson notes that while trees offer a number of holistic benefits for the environment, there are also advantages for homeowners. “There’s no question that trees are a community asset. They help clean the air, enhance the neighborhood aesthetics and provide canopy cover in the city. For homeowners, trees can increase or lower curb appeal, depending on how they are maintained. A house that’s built on a mature forest garners a greater value than a new home that’s put on a cornfield. Large trees can provide shade and wildlife habitat, but those benefits can become a liability if they aren’t inspected on a regular basis,” he says.  

For many homeowners, simply becoming aware that they have tree care options is an important first step. “Many people don’t realize that trees would benefit from care. But if they’re neglected, trees ultimately may die or develop disease and need to be cut down. I use a real estate analogy that if you buy a new house, you always get a home inspection before you close. We recommend having a certified arborist come out to make sure there’s no liability with the trees on your property,” Jamieson says. 

The team at Bartlett starts with a thorough evaluation and makes a diagnosis based on their findings. “Whether clients have a specific issue or are just gathering information, we do a detailed assessment for any problems. We always do a soil sample, because while telltale signs of disease often first present with leaves, the damage usually starts below ground. We might prescribe a fertilizer based on those findings, but we want to make sure what we’re doing is based on a diagnosis and tailored to the particular landscape. Some owners might have dogwood, beech and boxwood all in the same area, but they all need different things,” Jamieson explains. 

For properties with multiple trees, Bartlett will create a tree and shrub care plan that clients can refer to over time. “A care plan is a detailed outline of the property, including GPS locations of plants, trees and shrubs. It’s a higher-level diagnosis and management plan of the property that lets them plan year by year. It’s a more spread out, comprehensive approach if they don’t want to do everything all at once,” Jamieson says. 

Here in Chicago, Bartlett works with clients both in the city and suburbs. Jamieson says the urban environment is actually more conducive to trees than one might think. “Courtyards produce heat islands and reflective heat, and you can grow different plants you may not be able to in the suburbs. The temperature also doesn’t get as cold downtown, so you can push the hardiness zones a bit. However, those smaller locations do require you to have a pruning program or plant trees that don’t overpower the space. We’ll see people plant a cute spruce and 10 years down the road they have to remove that overgrown tree. And logistically, it’s often more difficult to care for plants in the city if we’re working in a courtyard or alley with tight spaces,” Jamieson says. 

The Midwest is rife with tree varieties, and Bartlett will help steer customers to the ones that are right for them. “If you want longevity and grandeur, native oaks are the way to go. Smaller flowering trees, magnolias and disease-resistant crabapples do really well in our urban environments. You can grow Japanese maples anywhere, but they do really well in the city,” Jamieson says. 

While they may be aesthetically appealing, Bartlett generally doesn’t recommend pine trees. “There’s a challenge with conifers that’s related to the increasing fluctuations in weather. Spruce and other evergreens don’t do so well in our area. If somebody wants an evergreen type plant, we’ll often recommend a concolor fir, Norway spruce or arborvitae,” says Jamieson. 

Given the scope of the work, there are inherent risks involved daily, and Bartlett prioritizes the safety of their teammates and clients over everything else. “Putting someone up in a tree obviously presents risks, and we ensure our employees have the proper training and equipment to protect themselves from exposure and falls. We also make sure our customers are safe and protected at all times,” Jamieson says. 

Bartlett maintains their commitment to preserving the natural environment with eco-friendly and sustainable measures. They were the first tree care company to adopt integrated pest management, or IPM, and are leaders in natural pest control. “We use organic fertilizer and focus on soil injection instead of spraying whenever possible. We’re always looking for the safest material that does the least amount of harm to the environment,” says Jamieson. 

Carrie Jackson is an Evanston-based writer and frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine. Connect at CarrieJacksonWrites.com.

Bartlett operates 11 offices and satellite locations serving Chicagoland, Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri and Indiana. For more information, call 630-960-4001 or visit Bartlett.com.