Thirty years in tree care gives you plenty to look back on. Since 1996, RTEC Treecare has grown alongside the communities we serve throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
Over the last 30 years, our team has grown, our knowledge and capabilities have expanded, and we’ve had the privilege of caring for thousands of properties throughout the DMV.
But through all of that growth, the principles behind our work have stayed the same.
Reaching our 30th anniversary is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s also a good time to look back at the people, projects, and milestones that have made RTEC what it is today.
30 Years of Growth
Over the years, we’ve reached milestones that meant a great deal to our team and had opportunities to contribute to the tree care industry in ways we’re especially proud of. Here are a few moments that stand out:
- 1996 | RTEC Is Founded
- Andy Ross establishes Ross Tree Expert Company (RTEC), beginning what would become a 30-year history of caring for trees and landscapes in the DC region.
- 1999 | Our First Government Contract and TCIA Award
- RTEC secures its first government contract with the Smithsonian National Zoo, beginning a relationship that would lead to several award-winning preservation projects. That same year, we receive our first TCIA Excellence in Arboriculture Award.
- 2005 | Accreditation and Expanded Plant Health Care
- RTEC becomes the first tree care company in Virginia to earn TCIA Accreditation. We also launch our Plant Health Care division, expanding the specialized care we can provide for trees and landscapes.
- 2008 | National Recognition
- RTEC receives its first U.S. Department of Homeland Security Small Business Achievement Award, recognizing our work as a small business serving the federal government.
- 2016 | Leadership in the Tree Care Industry
- Founder Andy Ross serves as chair of the TCIA Board of Directors, nearly two decades after RTEC first joined the association in 1998.
- 2019 | Advancing Industry Safety and Environmental Responsibility
- Our team works directly with OSHA to demonstrate crane operations and help inform industry guidance. RTEC also establishes the Environmental Justice Alliance to expand our environmental and community initiatives.
- 2023 | Recognized for Environmental Leadership
- RTEC is named a Fairfax County Green Business Leader in recognition of our commitment to environmentally responsible business practices.
- 2026 | Integrated Plant Care Joins RTEC
- Integrated Plant Care, a Montgomery County plant health care company, joins the RTEC family during our 30th anniversary year, marking another step in our continued growth across the DC Metro area.
Some Things Haven’t Changed
Thirty years brings plenty of change, but there are parts of RTEC we’ve been intentional about holding onto.
We still believe in doing the right thing, even when it isn’t the easiest option. We keep looking for ways to improve, and we expect a lot from ourselves when it comes to the work we do and the people we serve.
That carries over to how we work as a team. We communicate with purpose, step up when something needs to get done, and share in the wins. Those principles have helped us earn the trust of our clients and build a team that cares about the work they put their name behind.
As RTEC looks forward to its next 30 years, those are things we have no intention of changing.
Growing Without Losing Our Roots
Even though we’ve grown over the past few decades, RTEC is still locally owned and operated. Maintaining that local connection matters to us, especially as we welcome new people and opportunities.
That growth took another step forward in 2026 when Integrated Plant Care joined the RTEC family. The Montgomery County company brought decades of experience in plant health care and a reputation for thoughtful, science-based service.
Bringing our teams together allows us to deepen our plant health care expertise and serve more clients throughout the DC Metro area.
Most importantly, we always want to grow in ways that make RTEC better for our clients and our team. As we add new people and capabilities, we’ll keep providing that same level of care our clients have come to expect while putting people and the planet first.
Thank You for Growing With Us
Thirty years of RTEC wouldn’t have been possible without the people who have been part of it. Some of our clients have trusted us with their trees and landscapes for years, calling us back as their properties have grown and changed. Others have only recently gotten to know our team.
We’re grateful for every one of those relationships.
Our team deserves a special thank-you, too. The people who show up every day, take pride in their work, and look out for one another have helped make RTEC the company it is today. We’re so proud of what we’ve accomplished together.
To our clients, our team, and the communities we serve: Thank you for being part of RTEC’s first 30 years. We’re looking forward to everything we’ll accomplish together in the years ahead.
