Delia Mahoney, Arboretum Arborist

Biography

Growing up in Western Mass, I enjoyed exploring local woodlands through hiking and running.  Because of these experiences, I aspire to bring the benefits of forests to a broader urban community. In 2024, I graduated from UMass Amherst with a master’s degree in arboriculture and urban forestry.  My research combined topics in urban forestry and community development, while working with MassDOT to develop their street tree preservation and protection framework.

I began at the Arboretum in 2023 as an arboriculture intern with the Hunnewell internship program. Working closely with the arborist team, I developed my skills in the technical and practical aspects of tree care. Following the internship, I began an appointment as an arborist apprentice, where I had the opportunity to continue to deepen my knowledge and expertise under the guidance of the arborist and horticulture crew. As part of the apprenticeship, I worked closely with the Arboretum’s Fagus (beech) collection, quantifying the effects of novel disease pressures and environmental stresses on these trees. This project balances the treatment and preservation of a declining historic collection with experimentation and strategizing for a resilient future. At the conclusion of the apprenticeship, I joined the full-time staff as an Arborist I and look forward to continuing to care for the magnificent trees and historic landscapes of the Arboretum.