Our History
Our History
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1957
With little money, one truck, and uncommon determination, John B. Ward and Ezekiel Cromie founded Ward & Cromie in 1957.
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1960
Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, Ward & Cromie worked in the neighborhoods of Radnor, Tredyffrin and both Merion townships. There they developed relationships with clients who shared their interest for properly caring for their trees, plants and grounds.
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1976
Climbing the heights of the area’s champion trees, they also maintained the flourishing properties. In 1976, with work to sustain both branches of the business, the partners formed separate companies. Ezekiel Cromie concentrated on paving and masonry work, and John B. Ward & Company remained focused on tree and shrub care.
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1977
Dedicated to the Main Line, John Ward’s thriving interest in trees and shrubs led him to the International Society of Arboriculture, an association of tree care professionals. He served as president of the Pennsylvania and Delaware chapter in 1977 and still stands as a founding member of the prestigious National Certified Arborist program he helped create.
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1986
John B. Ward & Company continued to grow in the 1980s, becoming a true “family business” in 1986. Helping his father from as early as he can remember, Jim Ward officially joined him full time once he graduated from Delaware Valley College with a degree in ornamental horticulture.
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1990s
From the start, Jim’s enthusiasm for fine pruning of large trees and ornamentals proved a perfect compliment to his father’s focus on plant health. They continued learning and growing in their work together, tethered by climbing ropes for another 14 years.
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2000
As John Ward began to consider retirement around 2000, the company was well prepared as other ISA Certified Arborists had joined the team, including sons Matt Ward and Chris Ward.
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Today
Today, John B. Ward & Company has grown to a team of 13 ISA Certified Arborists. The company continues to concentrate on Main Line trees and properties still close to the boundaries where the business began. Since the beginning, the company has developed a greater depth of expertise in each of their practices. Growing the knowledge and professionalism of the company, they carefully and respectfully retain many of their earliest client relationships, adding only those they can promise a consistent level of equal care.