Almstead Tree Co. Professionals are Among NJ’s First Certified Organic Land Care Providers

Jan. 25, 2013 - PRLog -- North Haledon, NJ -- Arborists  Alan McCullough and Ryan Duff and Plant Health Care Technician Jim Hurley of Almstead Tree, Shrub & Lawn Care are now “graduates” of the first Certified Organic Land Care program in the state of NJ. Rutgers Cooperative Extension developed the new program with the help of the Northeast Organic Farming Assoc. (NOFA).  The intensive 4-day course covered organic practices designed to promote healthy soil, enhance biodiversity, and reduce polluted runoff from managed landscapes.  In order to be certified, participants needed to pass an exam at the end of the course.

Alan McCullough, Branch Manager of Almstead’s New Jersey office, thought the course was a valuable resource for anyone interested in organic care. “We were glad to pioneer this course,” McCullough commented. “Organic care is the way of the future. More and more of our clients are choosing organic fruits and vegetables, and it makes sense for them to do the same for their lawns and gardens. Many places are reducing the use of chemicals or banning them altogether: school athletic fields are an example. In Canada, major retailers like Home Depot have stopped selling lawn chemicals due to public pressure; I expect that trend will arrive here soon.”

Almstead Tree, Shrub and Lawn Care has spent many years developing organic care programs for plants and lawns. Their tree, plant and lawn care professionals learn organic methods through Almstead’s own training program as well as from organizations such as NOFA – and now Rutgers. “When you use organic products such as Almstead’s Compost Tea, you are encouraging natural organisms to do their job. The soil improves through the addition of beneficial live microorganisms, and they naturally crowd out the harmful ones, and plant health improves naturally,”says McCullough.

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About Almstead Tree & Shrub Care Co.
Family owned and operated, Almstead Tree,  Shrub & Lawn Care Company has been serving homeowners, businesses and communities in the tri-state area since 1964. Services include: customized tree pruning, selective view clearing, hazard tree evaluation, plant health care, organic care, custom blend fertilization, horticultural consulting and disease and pest management. Headquartered in New Rochelle, N.Y., Almstead has locations in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Almstead can be reached at 800-427-1900 or online at http://www.almstead.com.   
   
Contacts:
Alan McCullough, Branch Manager, Almstead Tree, Shrub and Lawn Care Co., North Haledon, NJ
(973) 636-6711.   amccullough@almstead.com

Amy Rowe, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Essex County
(973) 287-6360