I’m Brandon Elrod, and I love trees! Originally a Landscape Architecture student, I earned a degree in Ornamental Horticulture after I discovered it was possible to have a career spent among the trees! I’ve been a Certified Arborist for 25 years and an ISA member for 18, and my career has been spent in holistic commercial arboriculture.
I originally interned with the USDA Forest Service before being hired by a nationwide tree care company. After a decade working for them, I launched my own holistic arborist company. I went on to found Community Forests Council, a non-profit where I currently work to bridge the world of arborists with the world of urban foresters.
I’ve had some great opportunities to collaborate with other arborists and educators over the years: I was able to serve on the Rancho Santiago Community College District’s advisory committee for arboriculture; I have volunteered on the WCISA’s Spanish Committee for a few years now, and I am especially proud of having launched the first ever Spanish Regional Conference during my time as chairman of the WCISA’s Spanish Committee. I now serve on the Board of Trustees for Oak Valley College.
I believe strongly in the importance of continued personal growth, and as a result I have earned my Agricultural Pest Control Adviser License, Certified Professional Horticulturist endorsement, Master Herbalist certificate and a diploma in Ecology as well as a doctorate in an ancillary field. Most recently I graduated from Yale University’s Tropical Reforestation Certificate program and the Municipal Forestry Institute.
