The Care of Trees Branches its Coverage through Acquisition

The Care of Trees reaches coast to coast after the $45-million, commercially-focused tree care giant acquired Safe & Beautiful Trees & Landscape, a $3.5-million firm in Palo Alto, Calif. This expansion fills in a nationwide string of operations, including locations in metropolitan Chicago, New York, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia.

The former owners of Safe & Beautiful will remain involved with the business as consultants during the transition, while The Care of Trees plans to expand the location's range of services.

The Wheeling, Ill.-based tree care company is the second largest of its kind in the U.S. and said its most recent addition will open up doors to more western growth. "We have long targeted the San Francisco area as one of the most dynamic and high-potential tree care market in the U.S.," identified John Hendricksen, chairman and CEO. "With this acquisition, The Care of Trees is poised to make significant inroads on the West Coast through future growth and additional acquisitions. We are also better poised to serve large commercial clients with tree care needs in multiple locations throughout the country."

Besides customers service, the expansion benefits its 500 employees as well. The Care of trees views this and other growth moves as a recruitment and development driving point.

"The larger we get, the more we offer not only to clients, but also to prospective employees," noted Scott Jamieson, president. "Prospective employees have more choices with The Care of Trees, knowing the company now provides opportunities for work and professional advancement across the country." Jamieson himself is a testament to career development, starting at The Care of Trees in 1989 as a certified arborist and working his way up to president nine years later.

The Safe & Beautiful acquisition follows the company's launch of a company-wide consolidation of divisions into one name and logo, solidifying its national marketing strategy. A specialist in tree preservation and restoration for commercial, residential and municipal properties, The Care of Trees also recently launched its Land Restoration division, a service in high demand by real estate development firms and builders.

The author is Managing Editor - Special Projects for Lawn & Landscape magazine and can be reached at khampshire@lawnandlandscape.com.