Massachusetts Tree Wardens’ and Foresters’ Association (MTWFA) presented the 24th annual Seth H. Swift Tree Warden of the Year award to Blair Crane, the Tree Warden and Director of Public Works for the Town of Norfolk.

MTWFA President Ed Olsen presented the Silver Tree Award to Blair Crane at the association’s 112th annual meeting and conference on Jan. 7.

Blair is a United States Air Force Security Police Veteran and was a business owner prior to starting his career in public service many years ago. Beginning his public service career in a small Berkshire town, Blair was the town’s Highway Superintendent, Tree Warden, Harbormaster and even the official “Measurer of Wood and Bark.”

For the past six years, Blair has worked for the Norfolk Department of Public Works and has been the Tree Warden and DPW Director for the past five years. While being responsible for multiple facets of the DPW, he believes that taking care of the town’s trees and helping to educate the public as the Tree Warden is not just a responsibility but also an incredible honor.

The Massachusetts Tree Wardens’ and Foresters’ Association is the nation’s oldest urban and community tree protection organization, founded in 1913 for the protection and preservation of trees. The position of tree warden is a municipal one, mandated under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 87, with the charge to protect public shade trees within the 351 cities and towns of the Commonwealth.

For more information about the position of tree warden and about the association, visit the association’s website: https://www.masstreewardens.org/. 

The association plans to hold a commemorative tree planting in the Town of Norfolk to honor Blair Crane’s award.