Bartlett Tree Experts, a 49-year TCIA member company, has further expanded in Western Massachusetts with the acquisition of Race Mountain Tree Services Inc., a 33-year TCIA member company.

Race Mountain was founded by Ron Yaple. For more than 35 years, Yaple’s business enjoyed an excellent reputation providing high-quality, professional tree care to client landscapes throughout western Massachusetts, eastern New York and northwestern Connecticut.

With the acquisition, Bartlett gains four employees from Race Mountain, including Yaple’s sons, Keiran and Gavin. Race Mountain’s team of arborists will join Bartlett’s existing office in Sheffield, Massachusetts, which is managed by Greg Beck, an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist. Keiran Yaple joins the Bartlett team as a crew leader. Gavin Yaple joins as an arborist representative, handling the care of trees and landscapes for all of Race Mountain’s existing customers. When he began to prepare for retirement and thinking about a succession plan for his family business, Ron Yaple was attracted to Bartlett’s industry-leading reputation in scientific tree and shrub care, according to a statement from Bartlett.

“Bartlett’s scientific approach to tree care will provide our local team of arborists with the ability to improve services for customers to maintain beautiful, healthy landscapes,” says Yaple. “The Bartlett arboricultural research laboratories support its offices in delivering the most advanced scientific tree care solutions available.”

“Adding resources in the Western Massachusetts area assists us in providing our full range of scientific tree and shrub care services for our customers to maintain healthy, beautiful landscapes.” says Jim Ingram, president and chief operating officer of Bartlett Tree Experts.

Nick Vallas, vice president of operations in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts for Bartlett Tree Experts, says the acquisition brings two great teams together while advancing Bartlett’s strategy of growth in key markets.

“Ron’s passion around tree care and arboriculture really set them apart from other arborists in the area, says Vallas. “His team has been trained to the highest standards and mirror his passion around arboriculture. Clients are gaining an increased level of scientific tree care now with the backing of the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories. We are excited to welcome Race Mountain to the team!”