The TREE Fund was created as a charitable trust in Illinois on July 20, 2002, via a merger of the Research Trust of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and the National Arborist Foundation of the National Arborist Association--now the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA).

In that time, the TREE Fund has given more than $5.1 million to scientific research and education in arboriculture. A recent study found that every $1 we give acts as seed money and attracts an average of another $2.63. That means the TREE Fund has brought more than $18.5 million to the mission. Last year, the TREE Fund achieved its highest total assets and lowest operating costs on record. Since 2019, the TREE Fund has enjoyed Guidestar's highest level of achievement for nonprofit transparency--the platinum award.

In 2018, a study of the TREE Fund’s work was made. The conclusion of that study reads, in part:

The TREE Fund’s new development and office assistant, Heath Hupke, began work July 5. Heath's principle service to the TREE Fund will be heading up both our important free webinar series offering CEUs for certified arborists and our development and donor database systems (including data analytics, reporting, tracking and entry, donor recognition documentation, and working in eTapestry, Blackbaud Merchant Services, JustGiving, and Constant Contact).

Heath has more than 10 years of nonprofit experience, including four years with Trees Forever in Marion, IA. Most recently, he has two years as executive director of the Mason City YMCA. His experience is wide, covering event planning, development, marketing, social media, and budgeting. Heath graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a major in marketing and a minor in public relations.

Heath and his wife, Rachel, have two children, Noel and Charlie. They are active in their community through the YMCA, Kiwanis and other organizations. Outside of caring for his family, Heath loves to care for his dozen (and growing!) trees he's planted on his property--including hazelnuts, swamp white oaks, river birch, plum (from seed), cedar, and apple trees.

You can reach Heath here. Please help us welcome him to the TREE Fund family.

The Tour des Trees has 72 riders registered, but if you're not one of them you can still be a part of this great event. How? Two ways.

Registration is still available for the Virtual Tour des Trees, which allows you to participate in tour events, track your fitness goals, and earn prizes by raising funds for TREE Fund--all doing what you like to do most (no, you don't have to ride a bike), at your own pace, and from your own home.

It is free to participate in the Virtual Tour des Trees! All you have to do is 1) register at Virtual Ride Option–TREE Fund and 2) create a fundraising page. There are no minimum fundraising requirements, but if you choose to fundraise, you can win prizes for hitting fundraising benchmarks: A TREE Fund work light for $250 raised and a Tour des Trees cap and KASK climbing helmet for $500 raised.

Or if you prefer, you can support the TREE Fund by donating on behalf of the rider, the team, or the ISA chapter of your choice. Go here and click on "donate" in the upper right.

TREE Fund thanks you for all your help in supporting our grants and scholarships.

Provides start up or seed funding to support innovative research and technology transfer projects.

Award amount: up to $25,000 (minimum $10,000)

100-Word Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) accepted August 1 to September 15, 2022

For approved LOIs only, applications accepted August 1 to October 1, 2022

Provides funding for arboriculture research by applicants working primarily outside of the United States.

Award amount: up to $10,000 (minimum $5,000)

100-Word Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) accepted August 1 to September 15, 2022

For approved LOIs only, applications accepted August 1 to October 1, 2022

Supports projects which will help arborists and urban foresters communicate the value of trees and urban forests on a global basis through technology transfer and engagement with developers, builders, civil engineers, city planners, elected officials and other policymakers.

Award amount: up to $30,000 (minimum $10,000)

100-Word Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) accepted August 1 to September 15, 2022

For approved LOIs only, applications accepted August 1 to October 1, 2022

The TREE Fund is adding one more webinar to its schedule this fall, which will be streamed during this year's Tour des Trees. 

Mark your calendars and join the TREE Fund and Tour des Trees riders live the evening of Wednesday, September 7 at 7:30pm Central Time for a presentation by Chris Riley, PhD, of Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories. 

Title: "Examining the connection between woody plant biodiversity and arthropod pest management interventions in residential landscapes" 

Description: The woody plant communities found on residential properties constitute an integral component of cities’ green infrastructure and serve as a nexus between urban residents and the natural world. Despite this importance, residential landscapes are infrequently designed with principles of sustainability in mind, resulting in the extensive use of pesticides to suppress a diverse array of plant pests. In this presentation, we will discuss recently published research that asks whether ecological theory can inform the sustainable design and management of woody plant communities on urban residential properties.

Registration for this free, 45 minute webinar will be available in mid-August. CEU credits will be available. See our website for all our upcoming webinar details.

We are deeply grateful to the following people and organizations who contributed $2,500 or more to the TREE Fund in June 2022:

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

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, Sept. 7 at 7:30pm (Central Time)

Chris Riley, PhD, of Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories.

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.

TREE Fund Crown Partners!