our understanding of trees, and an on- going emphasis on safety is challeng- ing professionals to improve practices in the field. At the same time, the next generation of arborists is entering the profession with new ideas and new ex- pectations. Arbor AWARDS™ provides an oppor- tunity to recognize those leading that progress — and to remind the rest of the industry that excellence is worth celebrating. As the countdown to ArborEXPO™ 2027 begins, so does the opportunity to identify the people and organiza- tions whose work will shape the future of tree care. The next award recipients may already be out in the field, devel- oping safer practices, advancing equip- ment, supporting their communities, or mentoring the arborists who will carry the industry forward. For an industry built around long-term growth, few things are more fitting than taking the time to recognize the people planting the seeds for what comes next. Applications for the 2027 Arbor AWARDS™ are now open! Submit your applications at arborawards.org before January 31, 2027.
Arbor AWARDS™ provides an opportunity to recognize those leading that progress — and to remind the rest of the industry that excellence is worth celebrating.
“When the lightbulb goes off in some- one’s eyes, that’s what does it for me,” he shared during the 2026 award ceremony at the Basketball Hall of Fame. “That’s what gets me up in the morning.” That passion for education has been a defining element of Gilman’s career and reflects a broader truth within ar- boriculture: Progress often begins with someone willing to share what they know. For Blair, the significance of the awards extends beyond his own accomplish- ments. He sees recognition as a way to demonstrate the expectations and standards that future arborists should strive toward — and, ultimately, as an opportunity to pass the torch to the next generation of professionals. “I’d like to see worthy successors to what we’ve done,” he said. That sentiment captures much of what Arbor AWARDS™ aims to accomplish. While the program celebrates individ- ual achievement, its greater purpose is to highlight the people, ideas, and prac- tices that can move the entire industry forward. LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE As ArborEXPO™ prepares to open registration for another year, Ar- bor AWARDS™ is poised to continue growing alongside the industry it cel-
ebrates. Each new class of recipients adds another chapter to a developing history of professionals who have pushed the boundaries of safety, tech- nology, education, service, and stew- ardship. And perhaps that is the most meaning- ful part of the program: Today’s honor- ees are not simply being recognized for what they have accomplished. They are helping establish a standard for what comes next. The tree care industry is constantly evolving. New equipment and technol- ogies are changing the way work is per- formed, research continues to expand
While the program celebrates individual achievement, its greater purpose is to highlight the people, ideas, and practices that can move the entire industry forward.
70 | Fall 2026 ArborTIMES ™
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