As a young boy, Andy Dahl was mesmerized by the beautiful bur oak trees surrounding his childhood home.

"I was always transfixed by them," the 43-year-old said. "They were just so massive. I was surprised that they were trees. And the acorns, I could just pick it up, put it in my pocket and plant it elsewhere, even as a child."

Dahl took his first step into the industry with an internship for a tree care company while attending community college 23 years ago. He then worked at a local nursery and was self-employed before reaching his dream job as an arborist at the University of Iowa 15 years ago.

Last month, the Washington resident was honored as a True Professional of Arboriculture by the International Society of Arboriculture.

"The past winners, you look at their bio and it's the who's who of tree people," he said. "To be included in that, my first response was, 'Is this a joke? Is this real?' I'm very honored and humbled. I still just can't believe it. It's nice to see that other people appreciate what I've been doing all along."

The ISA is an organization devoted to educating the public about the importance of trees, the need for proper tree care and the roles of arborists today. The award highlights the successes of arborists around the world.

Working for UI landscape services, Dahl cares for more than 8,000 trees on two campuses with his four-person crew. The collection includes more than 250 species — with seven state champion trees on site.

Being a successful UI arborist means flexibility, he said.

"One minute you may be talking to a contractor on why they can't park an excavator on the drip line of a tree or explain the benefits of a tree protection zone," Dahl said. "The next day you may be grinding stumps or doing a tree removal or pruning. It's just a lot of fun."

UI became the first college or university to achieve the National Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus USA award in 2012 — which Dahl considers as a huge achievement in his career.

"It kind of shows that we are on the right track doing things the right way," Dahl said. "It's just a great job. I can't imagine doing something else."

For Dahl, trees are involved in all aspects of his life. Outside of work, he volunteers for several tree projects, loves to travel, hikes and works in his greenhouse.

He even at times drags his kids, Amelia, 8, and Iris, 6, to old neighborhoods to look for special trees.

"Trees seem to be, for me, my life at all levels, for better or for worse," Dahl continued. "My oldest daughter's first word was 'tree.' I was so proud."

His wife, Brandy Dahl, said he is a very lucky person to have a career in something he is so passionate about.

"I don't know many people at all that are as enthusiastic as Andy about trees," she said. "His passion led to his career that he is also very good at. I believe he makes a difference in what he does. He's just a person that is constantly looking to make the world a better place when it comes to our environment."

And he's a great teacher, especially to their girls.

"He teaches that stewardship, respect of nature to his kids in a way that he doesn't force it upon them," Brandi Dahl said. "But they're interested in learning."

by Chastity Dillard, Press-Citizen