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We caught up with Robert to find out how he helps trees—and what he loves about autumn. He works at the Arbor Day Foundation in Lincoln, Nebraska.
 Question: What do you do?
Answer: I'm the Certified Arborist for the Arbor Day Foundation. I help people plant and care for trees throughout the entire United States and beyond. I also work with fellow arborists, tree care professionals, and urban foresters to find better ways to grow healthy trees and promote safety.
 Q: Have you always wanted to work with trees?
A: When I was just beginning elementary school I moved from upstate New York to Nebraska City, Nebraska - the home of Arbor Day. While I missed the beautiful maple trees back in the Catskill Mountains, I was surrounded by the great diversity of trees planted in Nebraska City. As I child I grew up with apples, apricots, peaches, cherries, grapes, plums, pears and walnuts in my own backyard. As I explored the neighborhoods, I grew to love the large bur oak trees and many apple orchards. I never forgot the beauty and benefits of the trees I found there. Many years later, I was part of a land surveying crew in North Carolina. We would go out and make maps of trees growing in the pine forests surrounding Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh. These maps were later used to help protect and save trees.
When I returned to Nebraska it was natural for me to continue my lifelong interest. I joined the Foundation as a member in 1989, and soon after began a career in Membership Services helping inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.
 Q: What's the best part of your job? What's the hardest?
A: People call and write to the Foundation from all around the world to learn about trees and the celebration of Arbor Day. Speaking with them I'm able to learn and share about every aspect of trees including conservation, planting & care, pruning, soils, watering, wildlife, and all aspects of urban forestry. However each day contains a few surprises. Often our members will ask special questions about trees. This is when I'm able to share unique information covering such diverse subjects as; history, botany, construction, poetry, photography, utilities, and even international tree planting traditions. I wish there were more hours in each day. Public speaking is the hardest, but most rewarding part of my career.
 Q: If I'm a kid who wants a job like yours, what should I do?
A: You can start by learning how to plant and care for trees in your own neighborhood. Be sure to visit nearby nature centers, parks, and arboretums in your community. With practice you will learn to recognize and identify many different types of trees and how they grow. Ask if there are opportunities to volunteer to help with tree planting and simple tasks such as mulching and watering. To look for local volunteer tree care opportunities in your community ask your parents to visit www.arborday.org. Type in the keyword: "volunteer."
Be sure to learn about the many benefits of trees, and find creative ways to share those messages with others.
To learn about certified arborists working in your community, please visit www.arborday.org. Type in the keyword: "arborist."
Q: In some places it's not always obvious that its fall, is it? If I were in the desert in Arizona, how would I know its fall?
A: From the midst of the desert, I would look towards the horizon to spot one the many mountain ranges found in Arizona. Even from many miles away it is easy to spot the shining golden leaves of the aspen groves as they turn in color in autumn.
Q: Why are some trees more brightly colored than others in the fall?
A: The brightest fall leaf colors are revealed during years with a warm, wet spring, followed by a mild summer that isn't too hot or dry. Trees display their best color when the late summer days are dry, and fall has perfect sunny days followed by crisp cool nights. This causes leaves to produce more pigments known as anthocyanins. Anthocyanins give leaves their bright, brilliant shades of red, blue, purple and crimson.
An autumn full of cloudy days and warm nights brings dull fall colors. An early hard frost can quickly end the entire show.
 Q: Why do some deciduous trees hold onto to their dead leaves through winter? Are the trees okay?
A: Each year most deciduous trees drop their leaves when the shorter days of fall arrive. Right where the leaf stem is connected to the twig, a small layer of cells form and block the flow of water and sugars to the leaves. This layer is known as the abscission zone. However, many oaks and beech trees will hold on to their leaves throughout the winter months. Brown, dry leaves that stay on until spring are called "marcescent" leaves. These trees seem to lack the small layer of specialized cells. Wind, rain, snow, and ice storms will break off many leaves during the winter months. The leaves that remain will be forced off in spring when the buds break and new leaves are formed.
Q: Is there anything we can do to help trees through winter?
A: Deep watering is important to do in late summer and fall to help trees through the long months of winter. Young trees can be protected from wildlife damage and drying winter winds by surrounding them with chicken wire fencing covered with landscape cloth or burlap. Be sure to make sure trees are properly mulched before the snow starts to fall. Apply a 2 to 3 inch thick layer of mulch to a minimum 3 to 4 foot diameter circle around the base of each tree. Don't let the mulch touch the bark on the tree trunk.
Q: What's your favorite fall food that we get from trees?
A: Apples come in all shapes and sizes; with different flavors and textures. Some of my favorites are old heirloom varieties like Baldwin, McIntosh, and Esopus Spitzenburg. However, the Jonathan is my favorite choice for making an apple pie. It is fun to attend the Apple Jack Festival at Arbor Day Farm each September. Come and taste rare antique apple varieties and learn about their history. And, by the way, hazelnuts are pretty wonderful too.
Thanks, Robert! We can see why you "fall" for trees!
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