History

Tour des Trees was born as an idea–a dream, really–in the minds of a few arborists at the ISA conference in Philadelphia in 1991. They were looking for a way to create a growing source of funds for the International Society of Arboriculture’s Research Trust in order to support the research and education required for the on-going advancement of urban tree care. Their dream was to use their passion for cycling as a means for feeding their love of trees.

The first Tour des Trees began a year later in Seattle Washington. It was a great success–the first of eleven, and the beginning of a growing tradition. Now, under the new name Tree Research & Education Endowment Fund, the Tour continues to raise awareness and money for tree research:

The group who rode the Coastal Highway from Seattle to Oakland were all tree-care professionals. But in 1993, Tour des Trees was opened to participants from fields outside of the “green industry.” Educators, students, homemakers, business people and other professionals and even a dentist have joined the arborists with one common goal – to raise money to support the care and protection of the urban forest — the forest where most people live.

As the thousands of miles rolled past and over $2,500,000 dollars flowed in to the TREE Fund (formerly Research Trust), Tour participants reaped many additional rewards:

• The joy of working with others to make the world a better place
• Building lifelong friendships
• Achieving personal goals
• Networking with others, leading to important professional opportunities
• Exploring beautiful and interesting places
• FUN!

To gain a fuller impression of the Tour des Trees experience through the eyes of those who have “been there,” visit the Tour des Trees archives page.