30 Years Strong & Summer Tree Tips Inside
Celebrating 30 Years of Growth — Together
Thirty years ago, RTEC Treecare started with a simple idea: that trees, people, and the planet all deserve to be cared for with honesty and expertise. Since 1996, that idea has grown into a team of certified arborists, plant health technicians, and environmental specialists serving people across the DMV.
This year, we’re proud to celebrate our 30th anniversary and we couldn’t have reached this milestone without the trust of our clients and the dedication of our team. Thank you for three decades of letting us care for the trees and landscapes that make our communities beautiful.
What hasn’t changed in 30 years are the principles behind everything we do: doing the right thing always, making things happen, striving to improve and grow, communicating with purpose, and winning together as a team. These values are the reason our clients have trusted us for three decades, and they’re the foundation for everything still to come.
Still Locally Owned. Still Growing.
RTEC Treecare has always been proud to be locally owned and operated – and that hasn’t changed. What has changed is our ability to serve even more of our community.
We’re excited to share that Integrated Plant Care, a respected Montgomery County, Maryland plant health care company, has officially joined the RTEC Treecare family. This acquisition allows us to expand our plant health care capabilities and bring our science-based, environmentally conscious approach to even more homeowners and businesses throughout the DC Metro area.
As we grow, our commitment doesn’t change. We’re still the same company that answers the phone, shows up on time, and treats your property like it’s our own. Our goal in every acquisition and every new service area is the same as it’s always been: to uphold the high level of service our clients expect, while always prioritizing people and planet first.
We’re proud of how far we’ve come in 30 years and even more excited for what the next 30 will bring.
Seasonal Tree Care Tips
Summer’s heat and humidity put extra stress on trees and plants across the DMV. Here’s what to keep an eye on this month:
- Water deeply, not often. Give trees and shrubs a slow, deep soak once a week (more during dry spells) rather than frequent shallow watering – this encourages deeper, healthier root growth.
- Refresh your mulch. A 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of trees helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Keep it pulled back a few inches from the trunk to avoid rot.
- Watch for signs of heat stress. Scorched or curling leaves, early leaf drop, and wilting can all signal a tree is struggling in the heat. Catching stress early makes it easier to treat.
- Hold off on heavy pruning. Summer pruning should be limited to removing dead, damaged, or hazardous limbs save structural pruning for the dormant season.
- Schedule a mid-summer checkup. A quick inspection now can catch developing issues before they become costly problems later in the season.
Pests to Watch For
Warm weather also brings increased pest activity. A few to keep on your radar this month:
- Spider Mites – Thrive in hot, dry conditions and can cause stippled, discolored foliage, especially on stressed trees and shrubs.
- Japanese Beetles – Active through mid-summer, they skeletonize leaves on a wide range of trees and ornamentals.
- Bagworms – Easy to miss until damage is done; look for spindle-shaped bags hanging from branches, especially on evergreens.
- Emerald Ash Borer – Continues to threaten ash trees throughout the region; thinning canopies and bark splitting are early warning signs.
- Mosquitoes – Standing water around your property creates breeding grounds; our mosquito control services can help keep your outdoor spaces enjoyable all summer.
If you notice any of these signs on your property, don’t wait – early treatment is almost always more effective than addressing an infestation later.
Loved Your Experience With RTEC? Let Us Know!
Word of mouth means everything! If our team has taken great care of your trees or property, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a minute to share your experience with a Google review. It helps our neighbors find us and it means the world to our team.
★ Leave RTEC Treecare a Google Review
Questions? We’re Here to Help.
Whether you need a routine checkup for your trees, a plant health care consultation,
or emergency tree services, the RTEC Treecare team is ready.
Thank you for being part of our first 30 years — here’s to many more.
