Arborist Brings Worldwide Experience to The Care of Trees

Richard Eaton has seen the world from a perspective that few others can match. He has seen the world from trees in Canada, Thailand, Indonesia and New York. Now he’s looking at trees in Alexandria where he has just taken a position as the district manager for The Care of Trees’ Alexandria office. Alexandria might not sound as exciting as some of the other places he’s been, but Eaton loves trees and is equally enthusiastic about caring for Alexandria’s trees.

“I just love to work in great gardens,” Eaton explains. Throughout his career, he has had the opportunity to work in gardens and incredible landscapes around the world. Eaton studied resource management and holds a bachelor of science in forestry. Following his degree he went overseas to work on conservation projects where he worked in nature preserves before returning to work in the New York City area. “It’s an amazing journey to see the contrasts and similarities as you travel from the deep rainforest to the great gardens of the eastern seaboard,” Eaton explains.

Eaton’s interests lie in a holistic approach to a landscape. “Horticulture works together,” he explains, “and allows eco-systems to thrive.” He is not interested in one piece of a landscape but rather in how all of the parts work together. Through this philosophy he is better prepared to help homeowners fully evaluate their properties and to help in setting up comprehensive plant health care programs.