Ecolotree^®, Inc. focuses 100% of its efforts on the removal and containment of pollutants by the use of engineered tree systems.  We have utilized this technology, called “phytoremediation,” over the last 15 years at sites such as landfills, industrial facilities, gas stations, and fertilizer storage areas.  Our engineered forests provide alternative solutions for site owners, consultants, and principal responsible parties (PRPs) as compared to more traditional, energy consuming, and expensive remediation options.

Our engineered forests, called ECaps^® and EBuffers^®, are characterized as follows:

• Are permitted by regulators
• Typically save 30-80% in costs compared to traditional technologies
• Help to control the owner's long-term liability
• Provide a number of auxiliary benefits, such as aesthetic appeal and acceptance by neighbors

As a full-service phytoremediation and environmental consultant, Ecolotree provides its clients with professional consulting and design services.  Our design staff, which has 40 years of combined phytoremediation experience, includes two licensed environmental engineers, a research scientist, a certified agronomist, and a graphics technician.  Examples of the types of consulting/design tasks that we perform for our clients include the following: 

1. Meet with permitting agencies to present the vision and the current state of phytoremediation.
2. Help clients achieve regulatory approval for the proposed phytoremediation solutions.
3. Analyze soils and amendments for agronomic characteristics, interpret the results, and develop appropriate fertilization and amendment plans.
4. Perform greenhouse growth experiments to evaluate site-specific phytoremediation potential and the impact of design variables.
5. Perform hydrologic modeling to predict infiltration/leakage through prescriptive and alternative covers.
6. Design the tree layout, planting density, maintenance plan, instrumentation plan, and irrigation system.
7. Prepare and submit permit applications and other required reports.

Besides designing phytoremediation systems and helping clients obtain regulatory approval, Ecolotree also performs turnkey installation.  We have installed ECap^® and EBuffer^® phytoremediation systems at over 60 sites across the United States since 1990, and have the necessary trees, equipment, and staff to get the job done right the first time, without the need to hire additional subcontractors.  Our experienced project managers, equipment operators, and field technicians have OSHA 40 hour Hazardous Waste Site Worker (HAZMAT) certification.

Ecolotree ensures that only proven, time-tested trees in good health and of the appropriate genetics and size are utilized at our projects. We operate our own registered tree nursery, which has provided over 50,000 trees to hundreds of customers across the United States since 1990, as well as the trees for over 40 Ecolotree phytoremediation projects across the nation. We have the ability to provide both bare-root and unrooted trees in sizes ranging from 2 feet to 18 feet in height.

Please see our Tree Orders page for additional information.

Ecolotree continues to support its clients after phytoremediation installation by completing the following management and maintenance tasks: 

1. Perform regular site inspections.
2. Perform maintenance activities, such as mowing, weed control, pruning, insect control, and fertilization.
3. Test foliar samples for nutrient concentrations, interpret the results, and provide recommendations for future fertilization. 
4. Assist with instrumentation function and data procurement.
5. Assist with irrigation system operation and scheduling.
6. Map and characterize site conditions using Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global Information System (GIS) technology.
7. Train consultants and on-site staff regarding inspection and maintenance activities.
8. Provide an operations and maintenance guide for long-term operation.
9. Prepare regulatory-required post-installation reports.
10. Present project results at professional conferences (if desired by the owner).

Ecolotree offers site owners the opportunity to license the use of Ecolotree patented technologies (United States patents #5,947,041 and #6,250,237, both titled "Method for Using Tree Crops as Pollutant Control"). These technologies utilize poplar trees (i.e. poplar, hybrid poplar, cottonwood, and aspen), willow, and sycamore for certain phytoremediation applications.

Our licensing program is straightforward, easy to participate in, and economically advantageous. The program was specifically designed to create the greatest opportunity for our licensees to have successful projects. Current licensees include national consulting engineering firms, Fortune 100 companies, and the United States military.