Editor’s Note: Honoring the People Who Protect Our Trees

Each year, Arbor Day invites us to pause and reflect on the trees that quietly shape our world — filtering our air, cooling our cities, stabilizing our soil, and offering homes to countless species. But beyond their ecological value, trees also connect people — to nature, to one another, and to the communities they call home.

At ArborTIMES^™, we know the people behind the pruning saws and climbing harnesses do more than maintain green infrastructure. Arborists are educators, advocates, and stewards of the urban forest. Their work often begins long before a tree becomes a problem and continues long after the public turns its attention elsewhere.

This April, tree-care-centered events took place all over the nation in celebration of Arbor Day and efforts to secure a greener future. In my neck of the woods, arborists with the Baltimore City Forestry Division reminded us of what community engagement can look like. Together with the Cylburn Arboretum, these individuals held a climbing event and subsequent clean-up demonstration with bucket trucks and chippers on Maryland’s Arbor Day. Their goal? To show residents what it really means to care for trees.

“People think we’re all tree killers,” one arborist explained, “but generally, we’re trying to keep trees safe and healthy.”

Another added, “We’re actually tree huggers, in a sense, because our goal is to preserve a tree. If we’re taking it down, it’s more than likely because it’s a hazard or it’s dead… but generally, we try to save the tree.”

Demonstrations like this not only educate the public but also humanize the profession. They build trust, inspire young people to consider green careers, and promote stewardship in urban neighborhoods that may not always feel connected to nature. The impact of even a short Arbor Day event can be long-lasting, especially when it sparks conversations about tree equity, climate resilience, and community health.

Others reflected on the deep personal satisfaction the work provides. “For me, I like hanging out in the trees, you know, just breathing that fresh air and swinging around, taking a break, sitting on a branch.”

Another shared, “Looking at the job we just finished… it doesn’t look nothing like it did when we first got here. Doing my travels all over the city, I see the trees that I planted, and it’s beautiful and still going on.”

From physical teamwork to lasting results, the pride in their voices is clear. “The joy behind it is team effort… the team effort that came with pruning the tree or maintaining the tree properly, and that’s really rewarding.”

This Arbor Day, and every day, let us not only celebrate trees, but also the dedicated professionals who protect them. When arborists are visible and valued, our communities grow stronger — rooted in knowledge, care, and collaboration.

Stay grounded,

Amy Kent