This award is given to recognize an arborist that has strengthened arboriculture in Utah through professionalism or volunteer work and has shown dedication to the field of arboriculture.

According to Laws, he wasn’t even aware he was nominated for the Arborist of the Year by Zack Stratton, the CEO of Stratton and Brätt, until he attended the award ceremony luncheon.

“It was a surprise,” Laws said. “They kept it a secret from me until we actually went to the luncheon, and I thought… ‘oh we’ll see who actually got the nomination.'”

Laws began working in the landscaping industry at the age of 22, and earned his ISA arborist certification in January 2001. Now decades later, he has been able to watch the trees he planted at the beginning of his career grow tall and strong.

Laws has worked on landscaping projects for Salt Lake and Utah County landmarks including Thanksgiving Point, South Towne Mall, the Hogle Zoo and the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple. He helped to plant some of the first trees in Eagle Mountain City when it was incorporated in 1996.

“I was one of the people out there planting literally the original trees that got planted there. To establish that city project, and kind of watch that grow up over the last 30 years has been a lot of fun,” Laws said. “It’s been fun to originally plant those projects and then be called back every few years to actually oversee the development of the trees and how they’ve grown.”

Laws stressed that when it comes to trees and landscaping, he’s focused on playing the long game. It’s not about what will look nice right now, but rather what will stand the test of time.

“If there’s a certain tree that you like in a park, go back the next year, go back in five years, and take mental notes and pay attention,” Laws said “It’s amazing what you can learn from how the tree grew.”

Laws’ main message to hopeful arborists and even at-home gardeners is straightforward, and reflects his connection to the Earth.

“Learn to listen to the trees,” Laws said. “If you pay attention they give you signs of what is actually going on around them. They’re great indicators of what is happening environmentally above the ground, below the ground. A lot of that is just taking the time to take time with the tree.”