News Release – 19 May 2016

London has over 7 million trees and the Greater London Region is over 65% green and open space, yet current predictions suggest that there will only be 38 suitably qualified applicants for every 100 arboricultural jobs available in this area in 2017.

To help address this, Bartlett Tree Experts has donated significant funds to Capel Manor College to enable them to build the United Kingdom’s first dedicated Arboricultural Training Centre.

The new £600k state of the art building incorporates an indoor climbing tree, climbing wall, laboratory and workshop and acts as the flagship for a complex of classrooms and workshops dedicated to supporting Arboricultural and related Environmental education and training.

The new building will be opened by Robert A. Bartlett, Jr. on Thursday 26th May (meet at 2pm, opening at 3pm) in the presence of The Member of Parliament for Enfield North, The Rt Hon Mrs Joan Ryan MP.

Robert A. Bartlett Jr., the current chairman of Bartlett Tree Experts and great grandson of the founder, continues his family’s commitment to the advancement of the field of Arboriculture through funding The Bartlett Arboricultural Training Centre. 

Mr Bartlett says, ‘I believe that young people hold the future of our profession in their hands. This facility is for new recruits and apprentices, as well as seasoned professionals, to help them advance their individual knowledge and the field of Arboriculture as a whole.' 

Lady Salisbury, Governor of Capel Manor College who has co-ordinated the fund raising for the project said, ‘I cannot thank Robert and Kate Bartlett enough for their interest and support for this project and the College and gardens here at Capel Manor. What is wonderful and typically generous of them is that this facility has been created with their support for the benefit of everyone and not just for Bartlett employees. Robert’s belief in young people and the Arboricultural Industry as a whole should be an inspiration to us all. It rises above just promoting the interests of Bartlett Tree Experts by putting the care of the trees of London (that are so threatened) centre stage. It also gives Capel Manor College the capacity to empower Londoners with the skills necessary to maintain and develop the Forest that is London to the benefit of future generations and the quality of life in the City.'  

About Bartlett Tree Experts
The F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company was founded in 1907 by Francis A. Bartlett and is the world’s leading scientific tree and shrub care company. The organisation’s current chairman, Robert A. Bartlett Jr., represents the third generation of Bartlett family management. Bartlett has locations in Great Britain, Ireland, Canada and 27 U.S. states. Services include pruning, insect and disease management, fertilisation and soil care, cabling and bracing, tree lightning protection systems, felling and stump removal. Its head offices are located in Haywards Heath, West Sussex. 

About Capel Manor College 
Capel Manor College is London’s main college for land-based education and training. It has six centres across London and has one of the largest and most successful Arboricultural Departments in Europe. The college also runs a very successful apprenticeship scheme which enables potential arborists to earn and learn while they acquire the skills they need to be effective and productive in a wonderful industry.