Arboretum scientist honored for work with urban soils

An urban soil scientist at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Bryant Scharenbroch, is this year’s recipient of the International Society of Arboriculture’s Early Career Scientist Award.

The award is given to professionals showing exceptional promise and potential for becoming internationally known for their contributions to arboriculture.

ISA President Terrence Flanagan honored Scharenbroch at a ceremony in early August in Toronto as part of the group’s annual conference and trade show.

“Dr. Scharenbroch gladly shares his research findings with the industry and is highly regarded by colleagues as an exceptional scientist and scholar,” Flanagan said.

“His research on soil assessment and characterization, soil improvement for landscape trees and ecosystem processes in urban settings is significant for the growth of arboriculture and urban forestry.”

In his work at the Arboretum, Scharenbroch studies urban soils to improve tree growth and longevity. An ISA certified arborist, he has mentored many undergraduate and graduate students and also many citizen scientists at the arboretum’s soil science laboratory in such areas as urban ecology, soil quality and tree health.

“For the past five years, we’ve been quite active with ISA and the local chapters, presenting much of our applied research on assessing and improving urban soils for trees,” Scharenbroch said.

“As a scientist, I am fortunate to interact with ISA professionals, who guide our research questions and implement our results.”

Scharenbroch is one of 11 distinguished professionals who make up the circle of winners for ISA’s Awards of Distinction, sponsored by Bartlett Tree Experts. ISA has been honoring members and industry professionals with the Awards of Distinction since 1963.

The winners are selected by a diverse group of experts in arboriculture. More than 20,000 members make up ISA’s organization worldwide.