Tree Experts Donate Expertise to Save Threatened Ash Trees at For Worth Botanic Garden

Fort Worth, TX – June 25, 2024 – A dedicated team of tree specialists has graciously donated services and treatment to help preserve several established ash trees at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Twenty-four ash trees that are threatened by the invasive emerald ash borer insect (Agrilus planipennis), also known as EAB, will receive treatment from Bartlett Tree Experts, a leading provider of scientific tree care, and Rainbow Ecoscience, a tree health company that leads the industry nationwide in creating solutions for pests and disease.

Today, Bartlett Tree Experts will be on-site at the FWBG to administer advanced tree injection treatments from Rainbow Ecosciences to 24 selected ash trees, each marked with blue tape. This pro bono initiative aims to ensure the health and longevity of these trees, underscoring the two companies’ commitment to environmental stewardship and community support.

Andrew Loyd Ph.D., Plant Pathologist at the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory, Clinton Pearson, Regional Lab Extension Specialist at Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory and ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, and Gareth Harrier, Bartlett Tree Experts Local Office Manager and Arborist Representative, will lead the team.

“We are excited to lend our expertise to help preserve these beautiful ash trees at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden,” said Pearson. “Our team is dedicated to providing effective solutions to combat the emerald ash borer and ensure the Garden remains a thriving sanctuary for visitors and the community.”

Seth Hamby, Director of Living Collections at FWBG, expressed his gratitude, saying, “The support we are receiving from Bartlett and Rainbow Ecoscience is invaluable. Their dedication to preserving our trees helps us maintain the beauty and health of the Garden for all visitors to enjoy.”

The initiative not only highlights the ecological and economic significance of preserving urban forests, but also emphasizes the social and psychological benefits of access to green spaces. Trees enhance air quality, regulate climate, support biodiversity, manage water, and contribute to the overall well-being of urban residents.

Established in 1934, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden is one of Texas’ oldest and largest botanic gardens, spanning 120 acres and featuring 23 specialty gardens, including the iconic Rose Garden, the Japanese Garden, and the revitalized Fuller Garden. The FWBG aims to inspire the public with its diverse plant collections, educational programs, and year-round events, promoting conservation and appreciation of plants.

Founded in 1907, Bartlett Tree Experts is a family-owned company providing scientific tree care services to residential and commercial properties. With a focus on research and development, Bartlett employs over 2,000 professionals across its offices in the United States, Canada, and Great Britain, committed to advancing tree care science through its diagnostic laboratory and research facility.

Since 1976, Rainbow Ecoscience has been a leader in the Green Industry, advancing the science and understanding of plant healthcare through research and the development of predictable management protocols.

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The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is an invasive, non-native, beetle from Asia that has decimated ash tree populations across North America. First discovered in Texas in 2016, this insect poses a significant threat to urban and rural forests, necessitating ongoing conservation efforts.