About

The Academy is established to provide an organization which will encourage communication and coordination among scientists and educators working in arboriculture and urban forestry through physical, biological, ecological and the sociological sciences. AREA was established in 1973.

AREA supports efforts of faculty, students, and researchers in conducting and disseminating arboricultural & urban forestry research.

AREA supports education pertaining to the management of trees in urban environments at the individual tree or the landscape level. Efforts include the educational sessions at the ISA Annual Conference which are devoted to presenting student and professional research, supporting periodic workshops and seminars, fostering and promoting arboriculture and urban forestry education at colleges and universities, and hosting working groups directed toward research and education in arboriculture and urban forestry.

Join the AREA Executive Committee 

The elected officers of AREA work to prompt and when possible provide funding opportunities to support research and educational opportunities in arboriculture. The Vice-President assumes the duties of secretary in the secretary’s absence, and serves as AREA liaison to the Editorial Board of Arboriculture & Urban Forestry.  The Vice-President shall preside during the President’s and President-elect’s absence. This role is a three year commitment, followed by a year as Past President. 

If you are interested in joining the AREA Committee, please email us at area.arbor@gmail.com

2024-2025 Officers

• President: Chad Rigsby, Bartlett Tree Experts

• President Elect: 

• Past President: Andrew Hirons,  University Center Myerscough, UK

• Secretary/Treasurer: Rich Hauer

2024-2025 Executive Committee

• Sara Barron; Ryan Klein; Yujuan Chen; Chris Riley; Alex Martin; Daniel Burcham

Past Presidents

• Andrew Hirons, University Centre Myerscough, 2023-2024

• Ryan Klein, University of Florida IFAS, 2022-2023

• Deb Hilbert, Many Trees Consulting 2020-2021

• Eric North, University of Minnesota, 2019-2020

• Alessio Fini, University of Milan, 2018-2019

• Anand Persad, The Davey Tree Expert Co., 2017-2018

• Jess Sanders, Casey Trees, 2016-2017

• Andrew Koeser, University of Florida, 2015-2016

• Cecil Konijnendijk van den Bosch, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 2014-2015

• Greg Dahle, West Virginia University, 2013-2014

• Angela Hewitt, Morton Arboretum, 2012-13

• Kamran Abdollahi, Southern University, 2011-2012

• Rich Hauer, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, 2010-2011

• Zhu Ning, Southern University, 2009-2010

• Christina Wells, Clemson University, 2008-2009

• Laura Jull, University of Wisconsin, 2006-2008

• Jason Grabosky, Rutgers University, 2005-2006

Representatives to Standing ISA Committees

• Annual Conference & Programing Committee: AREA President Elect

• Liaison to Editorial Board or Arboriculture & Urban Forestry: AREA VP

• Council of Representatives (CoR): Rich Hauer

• Science & Research Committee: AREA Board Approved