When my youngest son, Jaden, was 3 years old, we were walking together in the woods and came upon a tree that had fallen and was covered in moss. Jaden asked why, and I explained that the tree had died and was now returning to the Earth. We explored a while more, then I told him we'd better get back to camp before sunset and started down the trail.

After taking a few steps, I noticed that he was not following me. I turned and found him kneeling beside the tree, hugging it with one hand and patting it with the other. He said, "I have to stay, Daddy, so the tree isn't scared and all alone."

"Look around," I said, "all these other trees are that tree's family and friends. It's not alone. It's not afraid. They all take care of each other."

I've thought of that moment more than a few times since joining the TREE Fund family. My time has been marked by the pandemic and the losses, deaths, and changes it has brought. There were moments when it would have been easy to feel alone and afraid. As Robert Frost wrote in Birches:

But, like Jaden, I've learned there was no need to fear. I am surrounded by remarkably reliable people who really care, people who are eager to help. From the staff to the Board of Trustees, the committees and Tour des Trees volunteers, and our faithful donors and partners, I am reassured, encouraged, and assisted. I have family.

So do you; so do we all. We're in this together.

The closeness and caring nature of the TREE Fund family is a gift of great meaning and value. I contemplate gratitude, generosity, and this family as I peer through the steam rising from my morning coffee--and I am moved to bow my head.

May your holidays and the coming year fill your home with blessings.

The TREE Fund is proud to partner with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System to bring you free education offerings. We are now able to accommodate up to 3,000 participants!

Wednesday, Feb. 9 at noon (Central Time)

Liliana Franco-Lara, PhD, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada

Tuesday, March 22 at noon (Central Time)

John Goodfellow, BioCompliance Consulting, Inc.

Tuesday, April 19 at noon (Central Time)

Andrew Hirons, PhD, University Centre Myerscough

Tuesday, Nov. 1 at noon (Central Time)

Andrew Millward, PhD, and Justin Miron, PhD student, Ryerson University

Tuesday, Dec. 6 at noon (Central Time)

Jason Gordon, PhD, University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.

Missed a webinar? Watch it anytime on our website.

TREE Fund now offers ISA CEU credits for one recorded webinar: "Loading of a Tie-in Point While Climbing." If you missed this webinar, you can now watch the recording and earn ISA CEU credits by completing a 20 question quiz with 80% accuracy. Learn more on our website.

The dates are set--Sept. 3, through Sept. 10, 2022--so mark your calendars! Watch for more details.

The route is now being planned in Iowa, and you can expect to once again have the virtual participation option.

Please join the virtual TREE Fund After Hours event Wednesday, Dec. 15, 3:45 to 5:00 CST. The event will feature a panel of three researchers--Drs. Richard Hauer, Brian Kane, and Bryant Scharenbroch--who all have been awarded TREE Fund grants, discussing the impact of their research and the emerging challenges and opportunities facing the arboriculture industry.

In addition, we will provide an update on our accomplishments and activities, announce this year’s volunteer of the year, and recognize the success of this year’s Tour des Trees riders.

For an additional bonus, all attendees will be put in a raffle for one of five KASK Super Plasma Climbing Helmets, or KASK Rapido Cycling Helmets just for joining us.

Please use this link to join us on Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 3:45 (CST): TREE Fund After Hours

We are deeply grateful to the following people and organizations who contributed $2,500 or more to the TREE Fund in November 2021:

See the full list of lead donors who make our vital tree research and education work possible on our website.

TREE Fund Crown Partners!