Tree care professionals, projects recognized at 2025 Texas Tree Conference
Arborist, community forestry program and landscaping awards presented
The Texas Tree Award winners were presented at the 45th annual Texas Tree Conference in Waco on Sept. 25 by Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture.
The Texas Tree Awards Program recognizes the accomplishments of community members, organizations and programs that use their talents and resources to protect, plan and proliferate Texas community forestry canopies. The program is open to anyone who has a role in building stronger Texas communities by planting, maintaining or protecting trees.
Texas Arborist of the Year
Barbara Quattro was awarded the Texas Arborist of the Year. This award recognizes a Texas arborist who contributes to arboriculture and community forestry through leadership, commitment, innovation and sustainability.
For over 40 years, Quattro was an advocate for community green spaces throughout the Alief neighborhood in Houston. Her work helped launch initiatives such as the Alief Community Center, renamed the Barbara Quattro Trail, and the NeighborWoods program, which has planted over 10,000 trees.
Outstanding Community Forestry Program
The TreeFolks Neighborhood Wood Program in Austin was awarded the Outstanding Community Forestry Program.
This award recognizes individuals, organizations or municipalities that have promoted community forestry through a program that significantly engages, educates or enhances the community.
The TreeFolks Neighborhood Wood Program distributes over 7,000 5-gallon-size trees every planting season to Austin neighborhood residents, schools, parks and churches, targeting areas with low canopy coverage and providing tree care training for adopters. The organization strives to play a significant role in helping the city of Austin achieve its goal of creating 50% tree canopy coverage by 2050.
Outstanding Landscape Improvement Program
San Antonio Parks and Recreation CommuniTree Neighborhood Tree Planting Program was awarded the Outstanding Landscape Improvement Program.
This award recognizes individuals, organizations and municipalities that have significantly contributed to tree planting and landscaping, enhancing environmental protection, conservation, watershed benefits, human health, energy conservation or wildlife protection.
The CommuniTree Neighborhood Tree Planting Program has planted 6,000 native trees throughout areas in San Antonio with a high need for canopy development, potentially generating nearly one million square feet of new canopy cover, sequestering over 21 million pounds of carbon dioxide and avoiding nearly 16 million gallons of stormwater runoff.
Arboricultural Project of the Year
City of Cedar Hill – Cedar Hill Signature Park was awarded the Arboricultural Project of the Year.
Cedar Hill Signature Park, opened in 2024, serves as a community hub in Cedar Hill’s West Midtown redevelopment efforts and was designed to preserve the city’s natural character and provide additional public space.
The city collaborated with certified arborists, landscape architects and community members to protect existing trees and strategically plant native, drought-tolerant trees to create more shaded and cooler outdoor spaces for future generations.
Fallen Leaves Memorial
Two late arborists were also honored for their lifetimes of contributions to community forestry. Quattro and William Koenig were recognized with the Fallen Leaves Memorial.
Award recipients received a framed, limited-edition, remarqued print of a famous Texas tree by artist Ronnie Wells from Salado for their outstanding achievements.
