FSC Eighties Graduate Wins International Prize in Arboriculture

November 19, 2018

Alumna Fran Reidy '85

Fran Reidy ’85 was absolutely stunned when she learned she’d won the 2018 “True Professional of Arboriculture” from the International Society of Arboriculture.

“Surreal. When I was notified, I did not believe it,” said Reidy, owner of Dryad Tree & Shrub Diagnostics, LLC, in East Islip. “My first thought was all of the arborists that should be in line before me. This is a peer award and part of my awe is the names on the list, people I admire. I am incredibly honored to be part of this international elite. I just try to do my job as well as I can.”

Reidy attended FSC 1983-1985, earning an AAS in Ornamental Horticulture: Arboriculture. She began as a commercial art major, but switched to horticulture when she was just one semester away from earning her art degree. Trees became her passion.

Actually, she was a “tree person” even as a child.

“We didn’t have lawn service, kids did yard work as a chore. I enjoyed being outside, the physical aspect, and all the different plants- their seasonal changes – and of course, creating the best leaf piles for jumping. You haven’t had a proper childhood if you didn’t experience being covered in leaves.”

Now, in addition to her own business, Reidy is an arboricultural consultant, supporting gardeners with plant and tree problems, and figuring out how to make their plants and trees thrive without pesticides. Her specialty landed her a consulting job with Manhattan’s Highline project, The Met Cloisters (11 years and counting), and parks in Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island.

“Being able to work in different venues that want non-pesticide control has been a blessing to me. I am lucky to work with such forward thinking gardeners who embrace ideas, experiments, and trials.”

Reidy is still in touch with her alma mater, doing classroom presentations and making new friends.