News Release – February 24, 2005

At the most recent Bartlett Foundation meeting, professors and tree care industry experts gathered at The Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories, a 350-acre arboricultural research facility, to network and share their knowledge with students in arboriculture and related disciplines from across the country. The meeting consisted of a safety and training session for students as well as a session on educational development in arboriculture between Bartlett management and the Society of American Foresters (SAF).

Attending students were current recipients of grants from the Bartlett Foundation, a non-profit organization established by Bartlett Tree Experts in 1985 to support the study of arboriculture and urban forestry. The organization provides grants to 24 institutions throughout the country – including recently added West Virginia University and Penn Technical College – and students from nearly every school participated in the recent meeting. During the training session, they learned firsthand about various climbing systems, equipment, safe work practices and regulatory issues and received valuable career guidance. Arborists from Bartlett also provided demonstrations in state-of-the-art soil management and integrated pest management practices.

The session with Bartlett management and SAF was also productive, covering topics like recruiting, curriculum development and accreditation limitations to urban forestry programs. An open dialogue and in-depth discussions resulted in a number of ideas for how the Bartlett Foundation can better support programs around the country moving forward.

At the close of the meeting, Jack Good, executive director of the Bartlett Foundation, was recognized for his dedication to furthering education in arboriculture/urban forestry.

About Bartlett Tree Experts

The F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company was founded in 1907 by Francis A. Bartlett and is the world’s leading scientific tree and shrub care company. The organization’s current chairman, Robert A. Bartlett Jr., represents the third generation of Bartlett family management. Bartlett has offices in 25 U.S. states, Canada, Ireland and Great Britain. Services include pruning, integrated pest and disease management, soil analysis and management, cabling and bracing, tree lightning protection systems and tree/stump removal. Its corporate offices are located in Stamford, Connecticut.