An arborist, as described by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), is an individual trained in the art and science of planting, caring for, and maintaining individual trees. Arborists are knowledgeable about the needs of trees and are trained and equipped to provide proper care. Hiring an arborist is a decision that should not be taken lightly.
Proper tree care is an investment that can lead to substantial returns. Well-cared-for trees are attractive and can add considerable value to your property. Poorly maintained trees can be a significant liability. Pruning or removing trees, especially large trees, can be dangerous work. Tree work should be done only by those trained and equipped to work safely in trees.
Being an arborist can be a very rewarding career. A career that not many youths may be exposed to or might not even know of the possibilities that exist for entry level positions that could literally ‘grow’ into something that could be a career that would be challenging, gratifying, and provide opportunities for advancement.
The City of Toledo received funding to plant and ultimately care for trees in areas of the city that are lacking trees and are considered heat islands. The RE-TREE program that is funded through a grant by the United States Department of Agriculture’s, Forest Service. RE-TREE Toledo (Restoring and Enhancing Tree Canopy for Resilience, Equity and Engagement in Toledo) is planting thousands of trees where trees are needed most, making Toledo healthier and more beautiful for everyone.
Trees provide so much more than simply beautification. They are also powerful and provide so many benefits to us as human beings, and the environment around us. A thriving tree canopy means healthier air, cooler streets, and cleaner water. With every new tree that is planted, this program is creating inviting, persistent places where kids can play, neighbors can gather, and families can thrive. To learn more about the overall program, and the benefits that trees provide, be sure to check out the website at: https://toledo.oh.gov/residents/neighborhoods/re-tree-toledo
But, back to the purpose I had when writing this BYGL Alert. The need for trained arborists is great. The RE-TREE Toledo program was designed not only to plant over 10,000 trees, but to train future caretakers and advocates for those trees, and the already existing tree canopy. There is a need to expose youth to become future arborists – which is the portion of the project that I am involved with, and the creation of tree ambassadors – another component of the program that is led by the efforts of Keep Toledo Lucas County Beautiful (KTLCB).
This summer, Historic Woodlawn Cemetery and Arboretum who partnered with the City of Toledo, organized a teen tree training program, exposing high school students to careers as an arborist for eight weeks in the month's of June and July. The program just completed the inaugural year and there will be a total of four co-horts of youth selected and participating each summer over the next three years.
Experts from as far as South Dakota and Illinois, across Ohio, and right here in northwest Ohio shared their experience, passion, and knowledge to hopefully encourage these youth to explore careers in arboriculture and be future caretakers of the tree canopy as trees grow and provide even more benefits as they age. Whether that tree is in their own yard, in the right-away in front of the home, or across the city on streets or in parks, these trees will have new advocates because of this training.
The first week, the youth were climbing trees and learning about ropes, gear, and rigging and were able to safely ascend into the canopy of trees under the amazing guidance of Dr. John Ball. They learned the value of teamwork and the importance of safety when working in and around trees. This group of teens developed a tree walk at Forest Cemetery, the City of Toledo’s oldest cemetery, highlighting 25 trees which will be made available to the public to explore maturing trees. They are excited to get people out into the cemetery, which was their outdoor classroom, to explore the trees and learn more. They researched the information about each species including the mature size, the ecological benefits, and why, or why not, each tree might be a good addition to someone's landscape if they are in the market to plant a tree.
They learned and experienced the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry's Urban Site Index used to select street trees in communities across Ohio with our regional urban foresters, Stephanie Miller and Haley Belisle. The students visited North Branch Nursery and then returned to purchase trees that we chosen by the youth to be planted at the cemetery. They shadowed City of Toledo Forestry employees both at their facility and woodlot, and out on the street.
Each week was different and instructors were the best. They were exposed to the arts, nature, interpersonal skills and volunteered in their community. They visited a volunteer run tree nursery and learned about Tree Toledo, and toured Urban Wholistics an Urban Farm in Toledo. It was a well rounded experience.
The team also visited the Davey Tree SEED (Science, Employee Education, and Development) Campus, the almost 200-acre property that formerly housed the Oak Knolls golf course and Franklin Elementary School in Kent, Ohio. The specialized training and research facilities for The Davey Tree Expert Company was an amazing opportunity. The facilities include a 70,000-square-foot training center with two classrooms, laboratories, associated offices, event center, and a 10,700-square-foot indoor at-height climbing training center. Some of the other additions to the property included 10 spans of non-energized utility lines, greenhouses, a container nursery, an arboretum and multiple research plots and fields.
I was so blessed to be part of this program and am thankful for the opportunity to spend a lot of time and energy with youth that I hope explore careers in this field. And even if they choose a different path, the knowledge and experiences gained this summer will instill a passion to be a tree advocate for their neighborhood, community, and city as a resident.
Trees do matter - and so does this amazing group of students!
