Robert Bartlett Jr., Jim Ingram earn ISA President's Award

Robert Bartlett Jr, chairman of the board of the F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company, and Jim Ingram, president of the F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company, recently received the International Society of Arboriculture President’s Award.

This award is given each year by the ISA board of directors president to someone who has made a profound impact on their career and the field of arboriculture. This year, ISA board president Tom Smiley presented this award to two individuals at the ISA 2025 Annual International Conference held in Christchurch, New Zealand.

“I would not be standing here today were it not for the support, dedication and generosity of Robert and Jim,” Smiley said upon presenting the award. “They have made tremendous contributions to my career, the growth, development and success of the Bartlett Tree Expert Company (and) the ISA. On behalf of the ISA and me personally, I am eternally grateful for all you have done.”

Bartlett Jr. is the grandson of the Bartlett Tree Expert Company founder, Francis Bartlett. In 1924, Francis hosted the first ISA meeting held in Stamford, Connecticut. Bartlett Jr. and his family have continued to build a Lawn & Landscape Top 100 company, and it has continued to promote and give back to the ISA throughout the years.

“Robert has allowed and encouraged me to conduct arboricultural and urban forestry research that others did not have the ability or resources to do,” Smiley says. “Much of that research did not provide a direct benefit to the Bartlett Company but is valuable for the industry as a whole. Robert has also shown me, by example, the value of treating all people with kindness and professionalism, whether they are grounds people, tree climbers, arborist representatives, research colleagues or clients.”

After starting as an arborist, Ingram worked his way up to become a division manager, vice president, and ultimately the president of the company. Ingram also served as chair of the certification board, which is now the credentialing council at ISA. In that position, Ingram helped develop the board certified master arborist program and was one of the authors of the 9th Edition of the Guide for Plant Appraisal.

“Whether it be with the ISA or the Bartlett Company, Jim has always strived to recognize, develop and promote talented people,” Smiley says. “He has turned a lifelong passion for trees into a fruitful career, and, through each step of the way, Jim has aided others to do the same. He has always had a ‘we can get this done’ attitude and has continuously supported tree care research and the ISA. For this we recognize the accomplishments of Jim Ingram.”