Bartlett Tree Experts acquires Arborsmith

Bartlett Tree Experts has acquired Arborsmith, which is based on Chicago's North Shore.

With its acquisition of Arborsmith, Bartlett is purchasing a new local office location in Lake Bluff, Ill., expanding the reach of the company’s existing arborist teams based in Northbrook. With the number of Bartlett office locations increasing to five in the Chicagoland area, the acquisition further allows the company to help more local residents and businesses to maintain beautiful, healthy trees and shrubs.

“Our acquisition of Arborsmith represents the joining of two companies that share a passion for trees,” said Jim Ingram, president and chief operating officer of Bartlett Tree Experts. “We’re excited to welcome the Arborsmith team into our Northbrook, Illinois office.”

Arborsmith was launched in 1982 by husband-and-wife Gilbert and Lesley Smith, who met in the schools of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. As the business grew, their arborists provided tree care on Chicago’s North Shore for more than 30 years; sometimes caring for trees on properties through several different owners.

Scott Jamieson, vice president of Bartlett’s Midwestern Division, said the cultural fit and similarities between Bartlett and Arborsmith further highlighted the benefits of the acquisition. Of course, it didn’t hurt that Gilbert Smith had worked as an arborist for Bartlett Tree Experts in Philadelphia early in his career.

“I have always admired the company and I have always admired Gilbert and Lesley,” Jamieson said. “They are amazing people in our industry. I am excited to welcome their group of talented arborists to the Bartlett team."