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Founded
in 1933 by Miles Standish Watson and Ernie Chase, the New Hampshire Arborists Association is one of the oldest of its kind
in the nation. While little is known about the Association at that time, it did form a registration or licensing program carried
out by the State. In 1976, a stalwart band of treemen got together to see if they could revive this group. The group of men,
unable to call themselves arborists without blushing, included John Marro, Byron Kirby, Phil French, Phil Merrill, Dave Watson
(the son of one of the founders), Larry Collins, and Al Nix. Throughout the years, with aid and encouragement from Alex Shigo,
Mary Reynolds, and Sharon Ossenbruggen, the Association has grown in numbers and enthusiasm.
Today, the New Hampshire
Arborists Association tests and certifies new arborists in New Hampshire. In addition, the Association promotes and encourages
continuing education in arboriculture and provides a means of professional self-improvement for those arborists working in
the tree care field through meetings and newsletters. To begin the new millennium (2000), the Association established a comprehensive
core collection of educational resources for arborists permanently housed at the New Hampshire State Library in Concord.
The Association also makes an effort to educate the public about tree care and tree care values through its New Hampshire
Community Beautification Awards Program and an educational puppet play for children about trees entitled,"This Is Your
Life, Acer Maple"!
Perhaps the most lively and fun activity is the annual Fall Work Day. Each year a site
is chosen for a day of volunteer tree work. The location is a place whose budget usually does not include tree care. Previous
sites have included: Crotched Mountain Rehabiliation Center, the Laconia State School, Crossroads House, Cathedral of
the Pines, Saint Gaudens National Historic Site, the Valley Street Cemetery, YMCA and scout camps, and the New Hampshire State
House, to name a few.
New Hampshire is a small state, with few tree care companies, but the quality of the work
and the gathering and sharing of knowledge is a tribute to the founders and supporters of the New Hampshire Arborists Association.
For further information or questions about the New Hampshire Arborists Association, write The New Hampshire Arborists
Association, PO Box 16006, Hooksett, NH 03106.
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