The Davey Tree Expert Co. acquired Cortese Tree Specialists, located in Knoxville, Tenn. This follows the company’s most recent acquisitions of Maier Forest and Tree in Rochester, Minn., and Superior NW Tree & Shrub Care in Seattle in January.
The acquisition of Cortese increases Davey’s presence in the Knoxville, Tenn., area, where its Wolf Tree subsidiary already operates. Pat Covey, COO for U.S. operations, said Davey is committed to future growth—organically and through acquisitions.
“We will continue to focus on high-quality companies with customer demographics that are similar to our own, within markets where we want to grow density,” he said. “Our intent is always to choose talented, safety-conscious employees intent on providing high-level customer service.”
Cortese has been in business for more than 35 years, offering services such as tree preservation, fertilization, consultation and diagnosis. Jim Cortese, owner and founder, said he chose Davey because he liked the additional career and arboricultural training opportunities it offered employees.
In a letter to clients, Cortese said, for them, many things would remain the same.
“I know first-hand that Davey shares our values and our commitment to client satisfaction,” Cortese wrote. “We will retain our highly skilled people, rely on the best science, and use the best equipment available.”
