MA Arborists Association upcoming events

2026 Electrical Hazards Awareness Training with John Ball (02/18/2026)

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:00:00 GMT

ONGOING PRESENTATION FOR 2026
Electrical Hazard Awareness education in three 1-hour sessions.

EARN MCA SAFETY and ISA CREDIT!

All arborists must be trained to recognize and avoid electrical hazards. This on-demand webinar covers a wide range of safety-related topics essential for arborists working near energized overhead power lines, presented by the tree care industry’s leading safety expert – Dr. John Ball.

Critical topics addressed in this webinar include:

How electricity works

Basic terminology

Current standards & regulations

Electrical hardware identification

Hazard assessment

Estimating nominal voltage

Line clearance pruning practices to reduce exposure

Recent incidents involving tree workers & electrical conductors

Emergency response to electrical contact incidents involving workers who are aloft

Completion of the course satisfies one major OSHA requirement for arborists working 10 feet or closer to energized conductors. Additional employer-verified proof of aerial rescue training and CPR/First Aid are required to fully meet OSHA’s electrical hazards awareness certification standards.

MAA will issue a Certificate of Attendance to participants who watch the full 3-hour course and complete the follow up quiz. Your certificate of attendance will come from the MAA office.

CEUS: MCA Safety Credit (2); ISA Credit (1)

GROUP VIEWING & ADMINISTRATION: If you would like to complete the series with your team, please contact MAA for further instructions. Discounted rates are available. Please contact the MAA for a special rate for large groups of 10 or more.

Speaker:

John Ball, Ph.D.

John Ball is currently a Professor of Forestry at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD and serves as a campus arborist for the University and as the Forest Health Specialist for the South Dakota Department of Agriculture. He received the Malo Teaching Excellence Award in 2018 for his dedication to student learning. One of his primary research interests is tree worker safety. Dr. Ball obtained his Ph.D. and M.S. in Forestry from Michigan State University and a B.S. in Forestry from Michigan Technological University. Dr. Ball is also on the Safety Committee for the Tree Care Industry Association.

2026 MAA Sponsorship Opportunities (03/01/2026)

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

MAA Meeting Sponsorship
Investment: $500 per meeting (members); $800 per meeting (non-members)
To receive member pricing, please log in to your MassArbor account.

Why Sponsor an MAA event?

MAA meetings are education-driven and topic-focused. Each meeting delivers a targeted audience of 120-150 engaged industry professionals who attend to learn, improve, and invest in their businesses. This is your best face-to-face opportunity with the association.

What are the sponsorship benefits?

1. Targeted Audience
Exposure to skilled professionals and key decision makers. 120-150 arborists attend MAA dinner meetings.

2. Professional Credibility
Recognition as a professional development partner to a trusted organization.

3. On-Site Presence
Brief introduction from the podium
Display table space for materials and product samples
Outdoor equipment display (1-2 small pieces) possible
Logo displayed on event signage and presentation slides
Verbal recognition during the program

4. Pre-Event Promotion
Logo included in promotional emails
Recognition on event registration page
Social media acknowledgment prior to the meeting

5. Post-Event Visibility
Logo included in post-meeting recap communication
Attendee contact list – names, company and email address (for opted-in attendees).

Sponsors may reserve multiple meetings in advance to ensure alignment with topics throughout the year. Commit early and maximize your exposure!

2026 MCA RECERTIFICATION (08/31/2026)

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

MCA RECERTIFICATION FORM

Please be sure you are logged in to your MassArbor.org account before you begin.

CLICK REGISTER ( <--- the button on the left of your screen) to begin reporting your credits earned between January 1 - December 31, 2025.

10 CREDITS ARE REQUIRED ANNUALLY. This should include 2 Education and 2 Safety credits. Credits may have been earned online or in-person. Please use the text boxes to add any additional information not captured by the pre-filled lists.

IMPORTANT: 2 safety credits are required. But if you have "extra" safety credits, these can be used toward your education credit requirements. (Education credits cannot be used to fulfill your safety requirement).

DEADLINE: February 15. After February 15, a $50 late fee will be added.

MAA MEMBERS: Recertification is included with your MAA membership. NO MONEY WILL BE COLLECTED WITH THIS FORM. However, please make sure that your dues are paid for 2026. Your dues invoice is located in your account at MassArbor.org. For affiliate members (employees of member companies), those renewal invoices will be generated in December.

Non-MAA MEMBERS: Non-members pay $95 for recertification. This fee will be paid here with your recertification form.

MAA Fall Workshop: Tree & Pest ID Tours at Millborn Farm (09/16/2026)

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Discover Millborn Farm, up-and-coming home of
MAA’s Arboriculture Learning Hub!

Tree & Pest Identification Tours:
What Can We Learn from the Mature Trees of Millborn Farm?

Wednesday, September 16, 2026
12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Millborn Farm Reservation
97 Bullard Street
Sherborn, MA

Be among the first to experience the MAA Arboriculture Learning Hub at Millborn Farm Reservation.

Join fellow arborists for an exclusive field workshop at this newly restored and preserved historic landscape. From towering specimen trees to hidden woodland treasures, Millborn Farm Reservation offers a rare opportunity to study post-agricultural trees in the setting where they have thrived for generations.

This inaugural educational program showcases the MAA's growing relationship with The Trustees at Millborn Farm Reservation, and our shared commitment to hands-on learning, environmental stewardship, and advancing the practice of arboriculture.

Tree Identification Tour

Joann Vieira
Director of Horticulture, The Trustees

Explore the formal gardens and woodland trails of Millborn Farm while sharpening your tree identification skills. Joann will highlight the property's diverse collection of native and ornamental species, including rare specimens and centuries-old trees that tell the story of this extraordinary landscape. Whether you're refreshing the fundamentals or expanding your knowledge, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the history, ecology, and beauty of these remarkable trees.

Tree Pest Identification & Management

Tawny Simisky
Extension Entomologist, UMass Extension

As we explore Millborn Farm's historic landscape, Tawny will identify signs of both invasive and native insect pests affecting trees throughout New England. Learn how to recognize emerging issues in the field, understand current pest pressures, and discuss practical management strategies that can be applied in your own work.

Why Attend?

Be among the first to experience the future home of MAA’s Arboriculture Learning Hub at Millborn Farm Reservation.

Explore a beautifully preserved 195-acre property featuring exceptional mature and historic trees.

Strengthen your tree and pest identification skills through hands-on field instruction.

Learn directly from experts representing The Trustees and UMass Extension.

Earn 2 MCA education credits, 2 ISA credits & MDAR Pesticide Credit

Registration

To ensure an engaging, field-based learning experience, registration is limited to 60 participants. Reserve your spot early and be part of the next chapter in MAA's educational programming at Millborn Farm.

Schedule

12:30 p.m. Registration

1:00 p.m. 1st tour: Tree ID or Pest ID & Management

2:15 p.m. 2nd tour: Tree ID or Pest ID & Management

3:30 p.m. Q&A w/ Joann Vieira and Tawny Simisky

4:00 p.m. Workshop Ends

Tours are one hour long and will be offered concurrently. You will be given a group assignment at registration. Each group will participate in one tour (e.g. Tree ID) at 1:00 p.m., followed by a second tour (e.g. Pest ID) at 2:15 p.m.

This workshop will be held rain or shine. Come prepared with appropriate attire for this outdoor workshop including proper footwear and bug spray. Please bring a hand lens or other magnification for the Pest ID tour, if available.

Learn more about MAA’s role at Millborn Farm Reservation

MCA Exam - October 2026 (10/08/2026)

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

MCA Exam October 2026

This exam will be held in multiple sessions.

Candidates should choose ONE exam time at the sign up form in their confirmation email.

Thursday October 9 @ 1 PM
Friday October 10 @ 9 AM

The last day to cancel an exam registration and receive a refund will be September 24.

Cancellations received after September 24 are not guaranteed a refund.

REQUIREMENTS:

Candidates should be able to demonstrate at least 2 years of field experience OR have earned a degree in arboriculture, horticulture or related area of study.
Candidates should be employed, or intending to be employed, in arboriculture or an industry-related profession.
Candidates must be 18 years of age.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

MCA Online Study Guide (version 3.0).
Best Management Practice Manuals (from which 50% of the exam is derived) - these are sold by TCIA or ISA.

October 2026 MAA Meeting: Legal Pitfalls Every Arborist Should Know (10/21/2026)

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Protect Your Company. Reduce Your Risk. Make Better Decisions

Every recommendation you make, from evaluating a hazard tree to preparing a proposal or advising a homeowner, has the potential to create legal liability. As today's tree care industry faces increasing scrutiny, understanding your legal responsibilities has never been more important.

Join attorney Timothy F. Fallon for a practical program designed specifically for tree care professionals. Drawing on his extensive experience representing businesses and litigating commercial and residential tree disputes, Tim will discuss the legal issues that can affect arborists every day.

You'll learn how to reduce risk when providing professional advice, navigate complex questions surrounding tree ownership and property boundaries, strengthen contracts and documentation, and better understand the role of insurance in protecting your business. Through real-world examples and practical guidance, you'll gain strategies you can put to work immediately.

Whether you own a company, manage operations, supervise crews, or work directly with clients, this session will help you recognize potential legal pitfalls before they become costly problems.

About Our Speaker

Timothy F. Fallon, Esq.

Managing Partner, Upper Charles Law Group, LLC | Lexington, Massachusetts

Timothy F. Fallon represents individuals and businesses in matters involving construction, employment, real estate, land use, corporations, partnerships, and personal injury. He has extensive experience advising clients and litigating commercial and residential tree disputes throughout Massachusetts. In addition to appearing in state and federal courts, Tim is an experienced mediator and appellate advocate, bringing practical legal insight to the unique challenges facing today's arborists.

November 2026 MAA Annual Meeting & Dinner (11/18/2026)

Wed, 18 Nov 2026 21:00:00 GMT

SAVE THE DATE!
MAA NOVEMBER ANNUAL MEETING

This meeting will focus on invasive pests of concern.