MAA Member Spotlight
For the Fall 2022 member spotlight , we ’ re heading back to school for a rapid-fire Q & A with Kristina Bezanson , MCA at UMass . Many thanks to Kristina for taking time from her busy schedule to answer some questions for our members !
How old were you when you decided you wanted to study trees ? I was 29 when I fell in love with tree science in my first arboriculture course at Southern Maine Community College .
What was your first paying job in higher education ? Adjunct professor at a community college in Virginia , I taught nights part-time while I was a city arborist .
Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work ? How have they influenced you ? Dr . Bonnie Appleton was my professor at Virginia Tech who convinced me to pursue arboriculture as a career instead of horticulture . She taught me to work hard and persevere . I try to mentor my students the way she did with me .
What energizes you at work ? My students !
Favorite thing to teach ? I love to teach students how to plant a tree . I am amazed how many have never planted a tree or shrub before .
What ’ s your favorite plant or tree ? Why ? Quercus virginiana , Southern live oak . It has the most fantastic branch architecture : extended solid limbs , longlived , evergreen leaves . It is my favorite tree to climb .
What ’ s something you ’ re good at that most people wouldn ’ t know ? Sailing .
Kristina Bezanson ,
MCA , ISA , BCMA , Municipal Specialist , TRAQ
Lecturer in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry Department of Environmental Conservation
UMass Amherst
Mountain , lake or ocean ? Yes to all three !
What would we most likely find you doing on your day off ? Running , biking , skiing , or hiking .
What ’ s one thing you ’ re learning now ? Why is it important ? Mindfulness . It ’ s important to be kind to yourself and others .
What ’ s the best advice you were ever given ? Who was it from ? Never say never . My mom .
If you didn ’ t go into higher education , what would you be doing instead ? I loved my job as a city arborist . I enjoy urban forestry and miss working in a big city .
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Photo / Kevin Gutting
Best book you ever read ? My favorite tree book is Donald Peattie ’ s A Natural History of North American Trees .
Top destination on your must-see list ? New Zealand .
Favorite season ? Autumn
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FALL 2022 MAA NEWS 19