In the tree care industry, credentials matter—but so does philosophy. Eastern Ontario Arborists Inc. has built its reputation on both, growing from a two-person operation in 2007 to one of Ottawa’s most recognized tree care companies.

The company’s approach is refreshingly direct: educate clients, retain trees whenever possible, and bring ISA-certified expertise to every job. In an industry where the easy answer is often “cut it down,” that philosophy has resonated with residential and commercial clients across Canada’s capital region.

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The Partnership Behind the Business

Eastern Ontario Arborists was founded in 2007 when ISA certified arborist Dave Buttivant and plant health care technician Sean Barker decided to combine their strengths. Buttivant brought the diagnostic and technical expertise; Barker contributed deep knowledge of plant health and treatment protocols.

That combination of skills—tree assessment paired with health care—has defined the company’s service model ever since. Rather than approaching every job as a potential removal, the team starts with diagnosis: What’s actually wrong? Can the tree be saved? What’s the long-term prognosis?

“We’re in the business of educating our clients on proper tree care and tree retention,” the company states plainly on their website. It’s a positioning that sets them apart in a market where many operators default to removal as the simplest solution.

Credentials That Matter

The tree care industry has a credentialing problem. Anyone with a chainsaw can call themselves a “tree service.” Eastern Ontario Arborists has taken the opposite approach, building a team stacked with recognized qualifications:

  • ISA Certified Arborists — The International Society of Arboriculture credential that separates professionals from hobbyists
  • TRAQ Qualified Tree Risk Assessors — Specialized training in evaluating tree hazards and failure potential
  • Forestry Technicians — Formal education in forest management and tree biology
  • Plant Health Care Technicians — Experts in diagnosis and treatment of tree diseases and pest infestations

This depth of expertise allows the company to handle complex situations that generalist tree services can’t touch—historic tree preservation, disease outbreak management, and risk assessment for municipal and commercial clients.

The Ottawa Market

Operating in Canada’s capital city presents unique opportunities. Ottawa has a mature urban forest with significant historic trees, government properties requiring professional maintenance, and a residential market that values expertise.

Eastern Ontario Arborists has leveraged this market position, earning contracts to maintain some of Ottawa’s most recognized trees. That portfolio of high-profile work has reinforced their reputation and created a referral engine that drives residential business.

The company services Ottawa and surrounding regions to the east, west, and south—a geographic footprint that balances growth potential with operational efficiency.

Services Beyond Cutting

What separates a tree care company from a tree removal company is the breadth of services offered. Eastern Ontario Arborists has built out a full-service model:

Diagnostic Services

  • Tree pest and disease diagnosis
  • Risk assessment and hazard evaluation
  • Health consultations and second opinions

Treatment Services

  • Deep root fertilizing
  • Root collar excavation
  • Plant health care programs

Maintenance Services

  • Structural pruning
  • Crown maintenance
  • Storm damage response

The deep root fertilizing service is particularly notable. “The most important and crucial factor for your trees health begins below ground,” the company explains. “Establishing a strong vigorous root system and proper soil depth are the key to happy and healthy trees.”

It’s a technically sophisticated offering that most tree services don’t provide—and one that creates recurring revenue through ongoing treatment programs.

Customer Response

The company has earned strong reviews from Ottawa-area clients. Common themes in customer feedback include professionalism, knowledge sharing, and thoroughness of cleanup.

“I’ve trusted this arborist with the care of my Linden tree for decades,” one long-term client noted. “The service has been exceptional from day one.”

Another highlighted the educational component: “The consultation discussion was very informative and we could determine that Dave and his crew totally knew their stuff.”

That emphasis on education—teaching clients about their trees rather than just servicing them—creates the kind of customer relationships that generate repeat business and referrals.

The Bigger Picture

Eastern Ontario Arborists represents a model that’s increasingly relevant in urban forestry: expertise-driven, education-focused, and retention-oriented. As cities grapple with climate change, urban heat islands, and aging tree populations, companies that can preserve and maintain mature trees—rather than simply removing them—will have a significant advantage.

The company’s growth from a two-person startup to a recognized regional leader demonstrates that there’s a market for premium, credential-backed tree care. Clients will pay for expertise when they understand what they’re getting.

For tree care operators considering their own positioning, Eastern Ontario Arborists offers a clear lesson: invest in credentials, lead with education, and build a service model around tree retention rather than removal. It’s a longer path than “cut it down and move on”—but it’s one that builds a more valuable, more defensible business.

Eastern Ontario Arborists Inc. is based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Learn more at easternontarioarborists.ca or follow them on X @OttawaTreeCare.