Arboriculture Merit Awards

In its ongoing effort to promote research and excellence in arboriculture practice, as well as foster closer ties and better coordination between researchers and practitioners, the Société internationale d’arboriculture Québec inc. (SIAQ) invites individuals from interested sectors to nominate candidates whose work or career deserves to be considered for one of these awards. To submit a nomination, please complete the nomination form.

Nomination Form

The Société Internationale d’Arboriculture-Québec inc. took advantage of the creation of these awards to pay tribute to the pioneers of the Quebec arboricultural world.

WHO ARE THEY?

RENÉ POMERLEAU

Dr. Pomerleau dedicated over 50 years to studying tree diseases of fungal origin. As the first active forest pathologist in Quebec, he contributed to understanding and solving numerous arboricultural problems. His work on Dutch elm disease, seedling blight, white pine blister rust, conifer decays, and birch dieback has been featured in hundreds of scientific and technical publications. The numerous distinctions he received testify to Dr. Pomerleau's worldwide reputation as a phytopathologist and mycologist. Several years after his active retirement, he continued to receive honorary distinctions such as an honorary doctorate in law from the University of Toronto in 1982. He tirelessly pursued his work in mycology, and the Flora of Quebec mushrooms was his most recent contribution and will remain the best reference in this field in Quebec and North America for many generations to come. Dr. Pomerleau (1920-1994) continually enriched the orientations of arboricultural research in Quebec with his knowledge and experience. The SIAQ wished to honor him by naming the excellence award for research the "René-Pomerleau Prize."

ALPHONSE GUIMONT

A graduate of Université Laval in forestry engineering, class of 1933, Mr. Guimont is also among the pioneers of the arboricultural world. After working in the provincial civil service for several years, he founded the company Le Service d’Arbres Guimont Ltée in 1951. Throughout his career, he fought for the recognition of arboriculture as a science, the creation of a chair in arboriculture at Université Laval, and the promotion of excellence in arboricultural practice. Using available references at the time and based on American standards, he developed precise specifications for arboricultural work, taught his employees proven techniques, and insisted on the quality of execution. A pioneering member of the Quebec Association of Landscapers and Nurserymen, he represented arboriculture within several other professional and technical associations while remaining very active in social groups. Instigator of many other achievements related to arboriculture, he ended his career teaching at the Duchesnay forestry school.
Mr. Alphonse Guimont devoted an entire lifetime (1907-1980) to promoting excellence in arboricultural practice; this is why the SIAQ identified him with the excellence award "Alphonse-Guimont Prize."

YVON FOURNIER

The excellence award for training in arboriculture is dedicated to Yvon Fournier, who was the initiator of training in Quebec. He always encouraged his employees to improve their knowledge of arboriculture. He created the complete tree maintenance course and worked in the field from 1953 until he retired in 1990. In arboriculture in Quebec, training is synonymous with Yvon Fournier.

CLAUDE DESJARDINS

The excellence award for remarkable volunteer involvement and exceptional dedication to the arboricultural cause is dedicated to Claude Desjardins, another pioneer of arboriculture in Quebec. He was one of the first to believe that Quebec could have its own arboricultural association. Thus, he was one of the founders of the SIAQ in 1977. He is also among the few Quebecers to have held the position of president on the board of directors of the ISA in 1989. 2016 marks the 10th anniversary of his death but will also mark the creation of this new arboricultural merit award. In arboriculture in Quebec, remarkable volunteer involvement and dedication to the arboricultural cause are synonymous with Claude Desjardins.

THE "GOLD LEAF GRAND MERIT" AWARD

For an exceptional contribution to landscape enhancement.

The presentation of this award is a unique opportunity for the Société Internationale d’arboriculture Québec to recognize projects that have impacted a community or region while highlighting trees or the urban forest in general. The project must demonstrate an impact over several years. This award recognizes individuals, organizations, or municipalities that have made a significant contribution through planting and landscaping projects, thus encouraging environmental protection, conservation, beautification, pollution mitigation, or wildlife protection. Projects without planting but having a positive impact in promoting tree care and preservation are also recognized.

To submit a nomination, please fill out the nomination form.