Davey: Research & Development:


Research & Development: The Best of Davey Innovation

Davey’s commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship dates back to our founding in 1880. Our integrated teams of plant, soil, and insect scientists, computer specialists and horticulture and arboriculture researchers pioneer the methods and materials used to serve the needs of our customers across North America.

Over the last 127 years Davey has helped define the science of tree surgery. Our researchers at the Davey Institute registered their first 14 patents in the evolving science of tree care before 1920 (link to history page). This commitment to innovation drives the development of new business opportunities for Davey and the next generation plant health care strategies.

Our R&D teams know that today’s actions have significant impact on tomorrow’s environment. Researchers in Davey’s laboratories developed the innovative Arbor Green tree fertilizer in 1978. The slow release formula provides nutrients to the plant over a period of two years, reducing the number of applications for our customers.

But we didn’t stop there. In August of 2007, we released Arbor Green PRO an enhanced, newly patented (pending) version this year to assist homeowners, municipalities, parks and businesses in nurturing and protecting their trees and landscape to enhance the value of their properties and the overall health of their communities.

Practical Plant Care
Company founder John Davey believed in addressing the health and maintenance of trees as a practical way to preserve our natural resources. Over the years, we have added lawn and landscape care to our areas of expertise. Davey Institute scientists work in our industry-leading labs and diagnostic facilities to identify the materials and treatment programs to strengthen trees’ and plants’ natural ability to resist insects, diseases and stresses.

Contract and Funded Research
Davey Institute scientists collaborate with U.S. and Canadian environmental agencies, national forest services and leading academic institutions to conduct research on the best practices to increase tree canopies of our cities and to combat invasive species, which can severely damage the tree population.

Examples of our research expertise include these recent projects:

Invasive species management:

New York pest management
Chicago beetle management