The Davey Tree Expert Co. made its sixth acquisition in the last year, purchasing Nature First, a tree care company near Santa Cruz, Calif. Terms were not disclosed.
Nature First has approximately a dozen employees providing tree pruning and removal, planting, diagnosis and garden renovation to its clients in the San Jose/Santa Cruz area. Dick Scoppettone started the company in 2006 and will remain with the firm during the transition. Additionally, MiMi Scoppettone will be indefinitely retained as an employee.
“I am excited about the new direction we are heading,”MiMi Scoppettone said. “I want to assure our clients that we will continue to provide reliable and exceptional service. Additionally, our clients can now benefit from comprehensive plant health care services, including subsurface fertilization, pest and disease management, along with specialized prescription care for their trees and shrubs.”
Davey’s Travis Evans will be managing the Santa Cruz office. Evans, who is a certified arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture, started with Davey in 2001 and has worked within the Davey Tree Surgery Co., Davey Resource Group and Davey’s residential/commercial operations.
Jim Stief, executive vice president for U.S. residential operations, said Davey is excited to welcome Nature First and its team.
“We have no doubt they will benefit from Davey’s diversified service offerings, technology and equipment resources, research and development capability and of course the culture of employee ownership,” Stief said. “Our intent is always to pick up talented, safety-conscious employees intent on providing high level customer service.”
