Education
BS Zoology & MS Entomology University of Kentucky
Certificate in Horticulture University of Cincinnati
Biography
My fascination with trees is never-ending because completely understanding trees is impossible. Trees have an amazing ability to react and adapt to their circumstances and evolve to overcome situations that seem disastrous. Learning about and comparing how some trees succeed while others fail does not take place in research papers or textbooks. An arborist employs all of our senses when examining a failed or storm-damaged tree and mentally catalogs the uniqueness of these occurrences. The same arborist accesses these memories unconsciously when they evaluate another majestic but maybe not so healthy tree years later, using experience to justify their opinion.
My career as a tree caretaker, technically a horticulturist, began in 1995 after graduating from the University of Kentucky with an unrelated degree that did not suit my love for nature. I spent ten years working at Summit Hills Country Club in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, observing and maintaining the trees and landscape. While there, I completed a certificate in Horticulture from the University of Cincinnati. I often think about my favorite ginkgo tree on the golf course. It made an impression on me because it was large and tough and demanded respect. Many years later, I wanted to help protect our ash trees from the emerald ash borer. I studied many publications about arboriculture and passed my certified arborist exam. A more formal career as a certified arborist slowly became my goal. I passed the International Society of Arboriculture's Board Certified Master Arborist exam in 2021 and soon after completed my Tree Risk Assessment Qualification.
Along the way, I have continued to learn about all aspects of tree care, even the highly technical tree removals performed by Gerrein Green Tree Specialists. Working with the Gerrein brothers has been instrumental to my tree risk knowledge. Their combination of equipment and skilled teamwork during extremely difficult storm damaged and other seemingly impossible removal situations have provided me with priceless learning opportunities. I am most proud of myself for becoming a Registered Consulting Arborist with the American Society of Consulting Arborists in July of 2023. A Consulting Arborist must possess on-the-job-training amongst the real boots-on-the-ground arborists. In other words, you must get dirty, eat a lot of sawdust, and witness the storm-damaged trees in person.
In December of 2023, I completed my Master's Degree in Entomology from the University of Kentucky. I studied under our State Extension Entomologist, Dr. Jonathon Larson, focusing on educating our green industry colleagues about invasive pests in the state of Kentucky.
My most recent work has focused on projects at the University of Kentucky and Berea College. On both of these campuses, multiple capitol renovation and construction contracts involve monitoring highly and historically significant trees. Striking a balance between progress and tree preservation while working with construction subcontractors has been challenging and fun.
Community is important, both professionally and neighborly, and I am involved with several organizations that focus on education and outreach. Currently, I serve on the Kentucky Arborists Association Board of Directors. The KAA works to encourage professional and personal growth within the field of arboriculture, focusing especially on safety and proper tree care techniques. I also am a part of the Educational Products Committee of the International Society of Arboriculture and the Editorial Committee of the American Society of Consulting Arborists.
I am a member of Taking Root, a non-profit organization working in eight counties of Greater Cincinnati, to improve and conserve the region's tree canopy for the future. Taking Root provides educational outreach to homeowners, and tree professionals, and partners with local businesses and schools to maintain and plant trees on private and public properties. I also recently joined the Kenton County Rotary Club.