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Our Staff
​At UAC, we pride ourselves in valuing the professional development of our skilled employees.
"As a company, we believe that human capital is our greatest asset, more than a bucket truck will ever be, and because of that we are committed to the continual growth and betterment of our employees through education and training"
- Dawn Hughes
Owner & Master Arborist
Urban Arbor Care is committed to developing highly skilled and dedicated employees, producing certified and industry leading tree-healthcare specialists who are happy and knowledgeable doing the work they do.
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Jacob Harrison
Co-owner, Chief of Operations
ISA Certified Arborist® (MI-4545A)
Jacob Harrison works alongside Dawn Hughes at Urban Arbor Care. He is currently pursuing his ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) certification as well as his MDARD Aquatics Category 5 certification. Jake's credentials include:
Jacob Harrison
MI-4545A
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ISA Certified Arborist
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ISA Certified Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
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Aerial Rescue Certified
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Arborjet University Trained Tree Care Service Provider
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Chainsaw safety, maintenance, and tree felling
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Tree climbing, fall protection, and work positioning
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EHAP trained (Electrical Hazard)
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Modern tree pruning techniques
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MDARD Certified Pesticide Applicator #C003190765 Categories 1B,1C, 3A, 3B and 6 (vegetable crops, fruit crops, turf, ornamental plants, right of way)
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MDARD Wild Mushroom Certification #MC00633
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CPR/First Aid trained Certification #6ADA985A
As he continues his skilled time here at UAC, Jake plans to pursue BCMA (Board Certified Master Arborist) certification. In his free time, Jake enjoys the outdoors, hunting, fishing and renovating UAC's second location in Michigan's upper peninsula.
Dawn Hughes
CEO & Master Arborist
Dawn Hughes, Owner of Urban Arbor Care for over 16 years, is a Master Arborist specializing in holistic and organic care of trees including soil to canopy; root pruning and rejuvenation of stressed trees; and fruit tree rejuvenation with pruning and care. Dawn has worked in many different facets of the green industry. Her professional credentials:
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Master Arborist
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Cornell University, certificate in Women's Entrepreneurship 2025
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​Emeritus EMG (Extension Master Gardener) Michigan State University 2020
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MAEAP, USDA Environmentally Verified Cropping System & Forest and Wetland Habitat 2023.
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Michigan Certified Green Industry Professional (CGIP) Retired
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Michigan Licensed and Certified Pesticide Applicator Categories 1C, 3A, 3B, 5, 6 (fruit crop, turf, ornamental plants, aquatics, right of way) #C007080372
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Associates Degrees in Applied Science Landscape Horticulture, and Small Business Management - Oakland Community College Summa cum laude.
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Oak Wilt Trained Specialist.
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Arborjet University Trained Tree Care Service Provider
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Dawn’s desire to work with trees and her community started early in life with tree climbing in her yard and Girl Scouts, and it continued through her high school years. She was named Ms. Clawson in 1993 due to her excellence in athletics, academics, community service, and public speaking.
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In 2008, after completing her plant health care apprenticeship, and while working as a diagnostic technician at the Michigan State University plant and pest help desk, Dawn was inspired to create her own arbor care business to help tree owners with their landscapes. She felt called to bring hands-on love and science to urban trees and communities.
The purpose of Urban Arbor Care’s work is to establish and nurture healthy urban landscapes integrated with native plants and organic edible fruit. The right tree in the right place gives back, adding value from the moment it is planted. Dawn believes that we can contribute to the greater health and vitality of our society simply by planting or caring for an urban tree in our own backyards.
