2012 Truesdale Employee of the Year: Ray Merrill

Ray Merrill has worked at Truesdale Nursery & Landscape Services for 12 years and is this year’s Employee of the Year. Ralph Dinizo, President of Truesdale, said the reason he chose Ray this year was because of his commitment to constantly improve his knowledge and skills, the care he takes with each job, and the dedication he has shown to Truesdale.

Ray’s dedication to Truesdale’s customers is shown by the nice words they have for him:

“When I look out my window and see the Truesdale truck, I know that, by the end of the day, everything will be beautiful. And, if I see Ray, I know that every detail will be remembered and handled in an efficient way. Ray has the professional knowledge and skill needed; he goes about his job with strong, quiet and effective leadership.” – Mrs. Margaret Tunstall, Summit

“Ray has helped with the landscaping of our garden for many years. His expertise, helpfulness and friendliness have contributed to the excellent relationship we have fostered with Truesdale. We value his commitment, and look forward to working with him for many years to come.” – Mrs. Ingrid Flannery, New Providence

Ray was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and grew up in Basking Ridge. He has been working in the Horticultural Business all of his life. He had started at Wightman’s Farm and worked there for 25 years. After that, he worked for a few other growers around NJ, working with annuals and perennials, before finally finding a home at Truesdale.

Ray began his career at Truesdale assisting the Nursery’s clients and eventually he became the buyer of the Nursery stock. Ralph had noticed his skills with plants and moved Ray out of the Nursery and into the field. Now, Ray’s main job includes going to our clients and doing selective pruning and trimming of their properties. His knowledge of plants and trees is extensive. Not only can he properly prune your trees and shrubs but is able to analyze them while he is there. He notices when they are diseased and what would be necessary to treat them. He will see how the soil, moisture, and other external elements are for your plant and make suggestions or give solutions to different problems.

Not only does Ray bring all of his many years of knowledge to each of his clients, but he is an avid reader and continues to enhance his knowledge.

Ray prides himself on his honesty and has said that he tries to do the best job he can in the quickest time. He also has been amazed over the years at how many landscape companies have no insurance, no licensing, no plant knowledge and how they are not honest. He says that when you use these types of companies “eventually you will pay the cost because of the damage done and, because of that, you will lose your plants.”

He wanted me to pass on to whomever reads this article, that you should never wait too long to prune because when it is done too late, you just have to start all over. Protect your investment now.

If you want Ray to come out and evaluate your trees and shrubs, give us a call and we will send him out to meet with you.