History

Our history of innovative firsts, beginning in the early 1950s, in equipment and safety has
made the tree industry a safer and more productive place to work. In addition, our early
focus on recycling materials and developing eco-friendly alternatives to chemical
treatments put us at the forefront of the Green Industry long before it became a
worldwide initiative of environmental preservation and protection.

1950s

• Maltby introduced the use of the “bucket truck” to the industry. Formerly, workers used to “hand climb” trees using ropes with spikes on their boots. The use of aerial lifts in tree care revolutionized the industry greatly increasing safety and production. Today, almost all utility companies including electric, telephone and cable companies use the “bucket truck” routinely.

• Maltby introduced crane use in tree removal in 1955. Historically, tree removal was extremely dangerous since each tree had to be approached by hand. Climbers had to dismantle the tree piece by piece using cleverly devised rigging systems that were often subject to failure. This practice was not only frightfully dangerous, it was extremely inefficient. Using a crane to lower each piece down creates a much safer and more controlled worksite. Crane use has since become an industry standard.

• Maltby introduced a hydraulic log loader to facilitate the handling and transportation of logs. Before the hydraulic log loader, the industry standard was a “winch truck” which utilized a winch to drag logs onto the bed of a truck. The hydraulic log loader efficiently and securely places logs on the bed of a truck for hauling safely and without damaging the log or the equipment.

• Maltby was deeply involved in the development of the nationally renowned Technology Highway (Route 128); providing land clearing and site preparation services throughout the 1950’s and early 1960’s.

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1960s

• Maltby develops the use of a sawmill to recycle logs generated by tree removals and land clearing. The mill manufactured and marketed pallets and skids to industries throughout Southeastern MA. The Forest Floor Inc. is formed and continues to recycle trees and becomes a major supplier of industrial lumber. Forest Floor Inc. begins to market wood chip products to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for use as mulch along the New Highway System to control roadside erosion.

• Freeman’s three sons Bill, Bob and Bruce Maltby joined the company to manage business development, client service, and operations.

• Maltby launched a plant health care division to combat the historic gypsy moth infestation of the 1970’s.

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1980s

• Maltby ventures out into national and international professional competitions. Bob Maltby sets a new record in The International Tree Climbing Competition in Indianapolis, Indiana sponsored by the International Society of Arboriculture. (He received a brass tree climbing helmet but it is too heavy and dusty to wear!). Several other employees compete as climbers in later years and place very high.

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1990s

• Maltby began using natural treatments as an alternative to chemicals for treating plants and pests.

• Maltby’s Plant Health Care division, Natural Tree and Lawn Care, became an independent business. Today, Natural Tree & Lawn continues to provide natural, safe treatments for trees, plants and lawns for private and public clients.

• Maltby is among the first to employ a female arborist in New England and among the first tree companies to bring women into management.

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2000s

• Freeman’s grandchildren Lauren, Brandon and Brian join the company, providing up-to-date marketing, IT, plant health care and field operations services.