We asked you to share your information and photos from Arbor Day 2025. From a park in the Bronx to a small village in Niagara County, New York State Arborists played a role in planting new trees and educating the public of all ages about tree care.

Ben Osborne, Assistant Commissioner of Forestry and Horticulture for the New York City Parks Department, who represents NYSA Regions 2 and 10 on our Board of Directors, reported on NYC Parks' official observance. 

Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday in April in 24 U.S. states, including New York. Other states time their Arbor Day observances to suit their climates and planting seasons, with South Carolina marking the day on the first Friday in December, and Alaska waiting until the third Friday in May.

Whenever it takes place, Arbor Day is a day to celebrate trees, learn about trees and most of all, plant trees.

As all applicators know, pesticide use in New York is governed by Article 33 and parts of Article 15 and 71 of the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL). Additionally, regulations are set forth in Part 325 of the New York State Codes, Rules and Regulations.

These were historically provided by DEC in "yellow books." Now the books are green and blue, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation advises that you access these laws and regulations online.

Thanks to everyone who helped make the NYSA’s 2025 Conference & Expo last month a rousing success. About 300 tree care professionals joined us at Resorts World Catskills in Monticello to further their education; earn ISA, DEC and CNLP credits, network with one another, and meet our exhibitors.

Attendees were pleased with the new location. After years of holding the Conference at the Crowne Plaza Suffern-Mahwah, we were starting to suffer (pun intended) from a lack of room to grow. Resorts World is not only a beautiful venue, but it offers plenty of potential to expand the event in the future, including the possibility of a larger trade show.