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!

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 8 @ 1 PM
Friday October 9 @ 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.

MAA Safety Saves: Cranes & Aerial Lift Job Site Safety (10/21/2026)

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 17:30:00 GMT

A safe day on the job starts before the first cut is made. Proper site assessment and equipment setup are critical when cranes, bucket trucks, and crews are working together.

Developed in response to OSHA’s encouragement for more job site set up training, and aligned with the ANSI Z-133 standards, this session takes safety training out of the classroom and into the field.

Participants will learn what to look for when evaluating terrain and ground conditions, equipment placement, outriggers and stabilization, overhead and electrical hazards, traffic and pedestrian concerns, drop zones, crew positioning, and other site-specific hazards.

Just as importantly, the session will demonstrate how an effective pre-job briefing gets the entire crew on the same page before equipment goes into operation.

Attendees will see proper setup demonstrated using actual equipment, discuss potential hazards and common mistakes, and learn practical safety steps they can bring back to their own crews and job sites.

Learn more about MAA’s role at Millborn Farm Reservation

Our Experts:

Mike Melito, MCA, CTSP
Director of Operations, Tree Tech, Inc

Ryan Hatcher
Owner, Hatcher Crane Co, Inc

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.

2026 MCA RECERTIFICATION (10/30/2026)

Fri, 30 Oct 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.

November 2026 MAA Annual Meeting & Dinner: Invasive Insects on the Move (11/18/2026)

Wed, 18 Nov 2026 21:00:00 GMT

SAVE THE DATE!
MAA NOVEMBER ANNUAL MEETING

Invasive Insects on the Move: What to Watch for in 2027

Elizabeth Barnes, Ph.D.
Forest Pest Outreach Coordinator
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

Invasive insect pests continue to reshape our landscapes and challenge tree care professionals throughout Massachusetts and New England. As we head into the 2027 growing season, knowing what to look for and how to respond is increasingly important.

We will focus on invasive insects of concern like spotted lanternfly, emerald ash borer, box tree moth, spongy moth, and other emerging pests that warrant attention. Learn how to identify key pests and recognize the signs and symptoms of infestation, along with the latest information on their distribution, population trends, and what arborists should anticipate in 2027.

Learn about current monitoring and management strategies, treatment considerations, and practical steps tree care professionals can take to protect valuable trees while helping to limit the spread and impact of invasive insects.

Attendees will learn:

·       Key identification characteristics and signs of infestation

·       Invasive and emerging pests to watch in 2027

·       Host plants and trees most at risk

·       Current distribution, population trends, and projections

·       Monitoring, treatment, and management options

·       The important role arborists play in early detection and reporting

MDAR and ISA Credit Pending

About our speaker

Elizabeth Barnes Elizabeth Barnes is the Forest Pest Outreach Coordinator with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and previously worked as the Exotic Forest Pest Educator at Purdue University. She studied biology as an undergraduate at Mount Holyoke College and received her Doctorate in plant-insect interactions from the University of Denver where she studied tent caterpillars and fall webworms.

Annual Elections

Members will vote on the following slate of officers and directors recommended by the Nominating Committee for 2027:

President: Max Ford-Diamond, MCA - City of Boston
Vice President: Brandon Maltby, MCA - Maltby & Co., Inc.
Treasurer: Kieran Yaple, MCA - Bartlett Tree Experts
Past President: Russell Holman, MCA - Eversource
MCA Representative: Julie Clements, MCA - Newton Cemetery & Arboretum
Directors:
Keith Bernard, MCA - Barrett Tree Service East
Steve Vernon, MCA - Harrison McPhee
Matt Fisk, MCA - Fisk Tree Service

Bylaws Update

The MAA Board of Directors is recommending an update to the Association’s current Bylaws. Members will receive advance notice detailing the proposed revisions, which will be presented for a vote at the meeting.