About Us

Our Roots

The Tree Research & Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund) is the merged organization of the International Society of Arboriculture Research Trust and the National Arborist Foundation. The missions of the two organizations were similar, and the Boards felt that through joining of resources, the TREE Fund would advance the joint mission more effectively.

The ISA Research Trust was established in 1976 to provide a reservoir of money from which important research could be funded. It’s goal was to “identify significant environmental, biological, social and economic needs of arboriculture and urban forestry … and provide funding for innovative basic/applied research and education project.”

In 1985, the National Arborist Foundation (NAF) was established to “be a vehicle for funding endeavors that would benefit the commercial arborist profession in its efforts to protect and enhance the global environment.” The main objective of the NAF was to fund scholarships in arboriculture and promote career opportunities in the field.

The boards of these two organizations agreed to merge in 2001 and the TREE Fund was officially established in 2002. Although the TREE Fund is an independent organization, it continues to work closely with the ISA and the Tree Care Industry Association (formerly, National Arborist Association) to fulfill our mission.