Normandy American Cemetery staff complete arborist certification training

Two crew members at Normandy American Cemetery completed a four-day arborist certification course on site last week, strengthening the cemetery's ability to care for its historic landscape.

From Feb. 26 to 29, 2026, Normandy American Cemetery Gardeners Benjamin Herault and Quentin Pasturel received intensive training in equipment safety, worksite procedures, climbing methods, trimming and cutting techniques, and emergency response. The program combined classroom instruction with hands-on practice across the cemetery grounds. Upon completion, both staff members earned lifetime arborist certification.

Normandy American Cemetery Superintendent Bob Adams said the training will have an immediate impact on daily operations. "Having certified arborists on the team allows us to support healthy tree growth and remove any branches that may pose a safety risk without waiting for a contractor," the superintendent said.

The cemetery's trees - many of them decades old - require regular monitoring to ensure visitor safety and preserve the site's appearance. The new certifications expand the team's capacity to manage that work internally.