Our HISTORY
Bob Ray Company Inc., Historical Overview
Four generations of the Ray family have provided over 100 years of tree services throughout Kentucky and Indiana. Known as Louisville’s tree surgeon, Thomas Ray began Thos. Ray General Landscape Services on Carlisle Avenue in Louisville, KY.
Thos. Ray General Landscape Service
Thomas Ray was the beginning of the Ray lineage in the arboriculture and horticulture field. Pictured here is an article written about his business in a magazine called “St. Matthews makes its bow” printed in 1938.
Carl Ray Nursey
After learning from his dad, Carl K. Ray followed in Thomas’s footsteps and started the Carl Ray Landscape Nursery in 1928. The picture above is the office of the original location before the business relocated to Eastwood.
Bob Ray Co.
Robert “Bob” Ray, had a passion for trees! His passion guided him out of landscaping and into starting his own company, the Bob Ray Company, so that he could focus on arboriculture. Bob was involved in many associations involving arboriculture education, which is pictured above; Bob leading an Arbor Day gathering at Cave Hill Cemetery. In 1970 under Bob’s ownership, the Bob Ray Company became an incorporated establishment.
Tee Ray purchased the Bob Ray Co., Inc.
Tee Ray, having grown up working for Bob and Carl, had the same passion for trees that Bob did. If not more! 1992 was the year that Tee Ray gained ownership of the Bob Ray Co. Under his leadership, Tee has grown the company to the widely known establishment you see today.
Chip Trucking LLC
With a need to move the large equipment from our Land Clearing Division, as well as moving product from the Bob Ray Co., Inc.: Chip Trucking became a Limited Liability Corporation in 2007.
