Alison Pottage, ISA Certified Arborist

ISA Certified Arborist

Territory and Services:

Alison operates out of SavATree’s Mainline branch and provides tree care services to Bryn Mawr, Haverford, Wynnewood, Gladwyne, Penn Valley, Narberth,

Merion Station and Bala Cynwyd, PA. Some popular services that she offers to her clients in the Gladwyne area include tree removal, tree pruning, tree and lawn fertilization and disease management, lawn seeding, lawn aeration, organic lawn care and other organic tree and shrub services, pest control including tick and mosquito treatments and deer browsing prevention services including our DeerTech program. If you are in need of any services to keep your property beautiful and healthy, contact Alison. She will come out to your property and set up a custom tree, shrub and lawn care program for your property.

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (610) 941-7766

Qualifications:

Alison has been working on landscapes in and around the Gladwyne area since 2001.

Education:

Alison earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Plant Science from The University of Aberdeen (United Kingdom), and a Masters of Science degree in Biology from Bloomsburg University.

Industry Involvement, Awards and Certifications:

  • ISA Certified Arborist
  • Macauley Institute and Research Center
  • Eco-Scientific Solutions

Special Expertise:

Tree, Shrub and Lawn Care and Long Term Preservation

Community Involvement:

Rode the Tour Des Trees in 2004 from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh

Personal:

Alison has 2 children and lives in Oreland, PA. She enjoys running, biking and spending time with her children.

Why She Became An Arborist:

“My passion for becoming an Arborist began with an interest and appreciation of the outdoors and nature.  I grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland and began my career at the Royal Botanical Gardens of Edinburgh.  I spent more time outdoors than indoors, and wanted a career that would allow me to continue that passion.  Nobody else was studying plant science, which also appealed to my individualism.”

Customer Service Philosophy:

“Treat my clients how I would like to be treated.”

Social Network:

Click here to visit Alison’s LinkedIn Profile!

What are Alison’s Clients Saying?

“Efficient, high quality, professional competence — all at a competitive sum. At first [Alison] Pottage won me over by her solid knowledge as an arborist, then the crew did their job to her specifications on our 60 to 70 foot oaks within a remarkable period of time — and left the grounds quite clean.”
Bob B., Philadelphia, PA
“Keep up the good work! I’m extremely pleased. My lawn was terrible before you took over the job. Now it’s beautiful.”
Andrea K., Bryn Mawr, PA
“I am very happy with the results [of the DeerTech system]. I rarely see a deer, but they are always at the woods edge of my property and don’t appear to venture forward!”
Pat M., Haverford, PA

Observations in the Field:

April 30, 2022 – Celebrating Earth Day

Come join us for the first in person Narberh Earth Day celebration in a while, beautiful day to appreciate mother nature.

 

April 29, 2022 – Tree and lawn distancing

Unfortunately having grass grow right up to and around a tree can lead to mechanical damage, sufficient to actually kill a tree, especially if young and immature. An inch of mulch 6-12″ from the trunk is a big help to keep weedwackers etc away.

When All Else Fails

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June 3, 2019 – “Fly Eagles, Fly!” Here at SavATree, we do all we can to save and preserve trees. Unfortunately, sometimes trees are severely damaged or weakened to the point where they become a safety threat. This tribute to our local Football heroes is a great way to preserve a small part of the tree that needed to come down while creating a beautiful art piece tailored to the individual. If you suspect that one or more of your trees may need to be removed, contact your local SavATree arborist right away! 

Sycamore Diseases

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May 23, 2019 – All of the rain lawn year and this spring have drastically impacted the health of sycamore trees in the Philadelphia area. Though stressful to the tree and the owner of the tree, luckily, this anthracnose is treatable. Contact your local SavATree arborist right away if you notice changes in the health of your trees.

Make the Rain Stop

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May 16, 2019 – You can definitely have too much of a good thing. We are seeing explosions of fungal issues in Southeastern PA due to the continuation of the rainy weather from last year. The damage is slowly brewing. If you are noticing any signs of fungal activity on your property, get in touch with your local SavATree arborist right away!

Leaf Fall Happening Now

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May 10, 2019 – It’s been raining non-stop down here in Southern Pennsylvania! Many trees in the Philadelphia suburbs are starting to show signs of Anthracnose, or tree diseases due to the wet weather. Sycamores and ash trees in the area are dropping their leaves in early May. Fingers crossed the rain stops. In the meantime, contact your local SavATree arborist and see what you can do to prevent your trees from contracting diseases.

Struggling Stewardia

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May 2, 2019 – The new thinness of the Stewardias canopy caught my eye. I then found this goop which is likely from a round-headed apple tree borer. It is essential to have the health of your trees assessed regularly in order to prevent diseases from harming your trees. Contact your local SavATree arborist for a free estimate!

Tree Pruning Nightmare in Ardmore, PA

April 22, 2019 – Found this poorly pruned (topped) tree in Ardmore this week. It’s a dead tree walking and certainly not safer, unfortunately. Make sure you hire a certified arborist to perform all tree work at your home. Contact your local SavATree arborist for a free consultation!

Boxwood Blight in Haverford, PA

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October 17, 2018 – This devastating disease was recently found in Haverford and can tear through an entire boxwood landscape in a matter of weeks. Infected material should be disposed of carefully (double bagged, and buried) to minimize spread. It’s not recommended to replant with boxwoods as the infection can stay in the soil for up to five years. Boxwood blight sprays can protect a high value boxwood planting if there has been infection in the area.

Lightning Tree Damage

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October 3, 2018 – This is a rather extreme example of what lightning is capable of. However, if you have a mature tree of significant (at least 30 inch diameter or greater) within 10 feet of your home, I would consider incorporating a lightning protection system to protect the tree and your house from the potential hazards of a lightning strike.

Mushrooms

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September 20, 2018 – As we go into fall, new mysterious growths can occur around the base of your tree, around the root collar or on the actual trunk of the tree. Some can be spectacularly large or colorful. However, if mushrooms or fungi appear for the first time around a significant tree, it is best to have it assessed by a professional in case it is indicative of internal or root decay.

Winter Damage

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June 26, 2018 – To stake or not to stake? This winter brought a lot of damage due to wind and heavy, wet snow. This caused some trees to be partially uprooted. There are scenarios where we can potentially stabilize and save the tree depending on tree type, degree of lean, amount of root damage and the age of the tree. Sometimes, with the degree of engineering, it may be best to invest in a new tree.

Emerald Ash Borers

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June 12, 2018 – Visible signs of Emerald Ash Borer infestation: I noticed these scars or scabs on the trunk of an Ash Tree that is in decline and your first check would be for Emerald Ash Borer. Finding D-shape holes high in the canopy can be challenging, but woodpeckers peeling off the bark to get to the borers is a good indicator of infection.

Drought Stress in Trees

August 17, 2021 – Seeing some drought stress for the first time in a while. Not surprising for trees in an urban environment with extra heat and root containment brought on by asphalt. Early leaf fall is experienced and can addressed through ArborKelp or even deep root watering. This katsura in Ardmore has started shedding already.

Trying to Save Ash Trees

July 23, 2021 – Even now not everyone is treating their Ash trees for Emerald Ash borer, and this insect can move fast in the area as this poor homeowner discovered in Bala cynwyd.

Healthy, Happy Summer Lawns

July 20, 2021 – Investing in the biology of the soil, gives a lawn a lot more resources to survive summer stresses as seen here in Havertown.

 

 

Learn more about SavATree’s Philadelphia Area Lawn and Tree Care Service.

 

 


Territory List:

Ardmore

Bala

Belmont Hills

Bryn Mawr

Carroll Park

Cynwyd

Gladwyne

Ithan

Merion

Narberth

Penn Valley

Rosemont

Villanova

Wynnewood