Spotlight on Excellence

January 28, 2025 arbortimes

Nominate a Tree Care Star for ArborAWARDS™ 2025

The tree care industry is full of unsung heroes—dedicated professionals who prioritize safety, push boundaries, and make their mark on communities. Now is your chance to give these stars the recognition they deserve with the ArborAWARDS™ program. Whether it’s a company that exemplifies growth and community spirit or an individual who’s driving innovation, ArborAWARDS™ celebrates the best of the best in arboriculture.

And the excitement doesn’t stop there—the winners will be announced live at ArborEXPO™ 2025, a must-attend event for industry pros. Here’s what you need to know to nominate a standout company or individual, or even your own team.

What Are ArborAWARDS™?

The ArborAWARDS™ program honors excellence in tree care across a variety of categories, ensuring every aspect of this dynamic industry gets its due recognition. Here’s a closer look at the categories:

For Companies:

Big Tree Award: Recognizing businesses with significant growth, impressive safety records, and stellar customer reviews.
Service Tree Award: Highlighting companies that give back, whether through hours of volunteer work or financial support for community causes.
Safety Tree Award: Honoring firms that invest heavily in employee safety through training, equipment, and other initiatives.

For Individuals:

Robert Bartlett Jr.

Robert Bartlett Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award: Celebrating an industry veteran whose career has made a lasting impact.
Safety Innovation Award: Recognizing those who pioneer new techniques to keep arborists safer on the job.
Equipment Innovation Award: Rewarding innovations in tools that improve safety, quality, and productivity.

Special Recognition:

Complex or Challenging Project Award: This category highlights awe-inspiring projects through video submissions that will be showcased during the awards ceremony.

Why Participate?

Recognition from ArborAWARDS™ is more than just a plaque or trophy—it’s a spotlight on your efforts to elevate the tree care industry. Past winners have noted the ripple effects of their awards, from boosting team morale to attracting new clients.

ArborAWARDS would like to thank our Premier Sponsor Altec.

Plus, knowing your peers see your work as exemplary is a reward all its own.

“Recognizing the key players who impact and elevate our industry is paramount,” said Aaron Lavoie, operations and plant health care manager of Stanley Tree Service. “ArborAWARDS™ not only fills a need, but it also pushes everyone to continue their pursuit of leaving the industry a better place for the next generation.”

How to Nominate

Nominating is straightforward, but it’s important to get your entries in before the deadline: February 14, 2025. Here are the essentials:

Submissions should be free of logos or individual names to ensure unbiased judging.
Companies can submit up to two entries per major category.
Individual categories allow for one submission per nominee.
Some awards, like the Lifetime Achievement and Complex Project categories, are free to enter. Fees for others are $300 for company submissions and $100 for individual entries.

Proceeds from entry fees go toward supporting the next generation of arborists by covering student costs for attending ArborEXPO™. It’s a win-win: you’re recognizing excellence and investing in the future of the industry.

The Big Reveal at ArborEXPO™ ’25

Mark your calendar for March 27-28, 2025, when the ArborAWARDS™ winners will be unveiled at ArborEXPO™ at The Big E in Springfield, Ma. Known as the industry’s fastest-growing trade show, ArborEXPO™ combines education, live demonstrations, and hands-on opportunities to see the latest equipment in action.

A group of tree workers viewing a tree care demonstration at ArborEXPO.

Picture this: over 130 exhibitors spread across 150,000 square feet of space, offering everything from new tools to safety gear. Add 19 expert-led sessions, live skills challenges, and unbeatable networking, and you’ve got two days packed with opportunities to grow your business and career.

Be Part of the Celebration

This is your chance to recognize greatness in the tree care industry. Whether you’re nominating a peer, a company, or your own team, your participation helps elevate the industry’s standards and celebrates those who make a difference.