With Saws, Chippers, Pruners, and Bucket Trucks, 26 Tree Experts Gather for Another Successful Arborist Day

A bumper crop of talented and generous tree workers went out a limb on Tuesday, Dec. 6, for the benefit of Monument Mountain Regional High School. Thank you to all of the arborists and tree specialists who volunteered for Berkshire Botanical Garden’s annual Arborist Day.

The day included “tree removals, tree plantings and a lot of pruning,” said Tom Ingersoll, of Ingersoll Land Care, in Sheffield, a BBG trustee member who helped start the annual event 17 years ago along with BBG’s former Director of Horticulture Dorthe Hviid and arborists Ron Yaple and Ken Gooch.

In all 26 arborists and tree specialists donated their day. They did five plantings, seven removals, and structural pruning of more than 20 young trees and six mature trees. A total of 50 yards of wood chips were generated that will go back to the school for its horticultural programs. The volunteers donated $22,000 worth of tree work today (that’s 130 hours of labor), and 50 students came out to observe and learn from the experts (and hopefully be inspired for future careers).

In edition to Ingersoll Land Care, participating arborists and tree specialists included Sweet Tree Service, Whalen Nursery, Race Mountain Tree Services, John W. Field Tree Service, Burdick Tree and Property Services, Joe Burkhart, and Zach Oles.

Since its founding 17 years ago, Arborist Day has held close to its roots as a time of community service, education and recreation.

“In recognizing the Berkshire Botanical Garden’s need of professional attention, we reached out to our industry peers and created a tradition,” said Ingersoll. “After the first Arborist Day on the BBG campus, the group then reached out to other area non-profits, schools and museum properties to offer the services of as many as 25 professionals and their equipment.” 

Over the years, Arborist Day has visited — and provided free tree service to — The Mount, the Norman Rockwell Museum, Construct’s Pine Woods Condominiums, The Bidwell House, Gould Farm, Brookside Manor, and Hebert Arboretum. This year will be the group’s second visit to Monument Mountain High School.

Arborist Day not only provides a time to work together, but it’s become a reunion of sorts where tree professionals reconnect with their peers to trade stories from the past season, discuss trade secrets, show off newly purchased equipment, and contemplate new challenges in the industry. 

“Some 2,000 volunteer hours have been logged by Berkshire arborists as part of the tradition,” said Ingersoll. 

This year, Ingersoll gave a presentation called “Pruning Shade Trees for Sustainability and Climate Change.” Participating arborists earned continuing education units.