W. Jim Cortese was recently featured in ArborTIMES with his article, “The Arborists Who Built Us,” a reflection on mentorship, knowledge transfer, and the responsibility experienced tree care professionals have to help develop the next generation of arborists.
The article, published by ArborTIMES, explores why mentorship still matters in modern tree care. Cortese reflects on how much the industry has changed over the past 50 years, from better equipment and stronger safety practices to a deeper understanding of tree biology. But he also points to something that remains essential: arboriculture is still a profession built on people willing to teach what they know.
In the piece, Cortese writes about why good mentors teach more than climbing systems, pruning cuts, and technical skills. They also teach judgment, restraint, professionalism, communication, safety culture, and respect for trees as living organisms.
This theme closely aligns with Cortese’s ongoing work supporting the next generation through the Cortese Arboriculture and Urban Forestry Scholarship Endowment at the University of Tennessee. The scholarship reflects his belief that the future of tree care depends on education, mentorship, and helping young people take root in the profession.
The ArborTIMES article also builds on Cortese’s broader public writing about trees, people, and professional tree care. In a recent post connected to his feature in The Pioneer Woman, “A Tree Usually Tells You Before It Gives Up,” Cortese reflected on tree heat stress and the warning signs homeowners often miss before a tree begins to decline.
Together, these pieces show the larger purpose behind Cortese’s work: helping people see trees not only as landscape features, but as living systems connected to homes, communities, memory, safety, and stewardship.
Read the full ArborTIMES article here: https://arbortimes.org/the-arborists-who-built-us/
Cortese is the author of John Muir Climbs a Tree and Other Tree Tales, a unique anthology devoted entirely to stories about trees. The book brings together history, folklore, reflection, and personal connection to explore the many ways trees shape human life.
To stay connected with W. Jim Cortese or inquire about speaking opportunities, visit JimCortese.com or contact him at Ji*********@*****ok.com.
W. Jim Cortese Featured in ArborTIMES
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Posted: August 3, 2026 by W. Jim Cortese
W. Jim Cortese was recently featured in ArborTIMES with his article, “The Arborists Who Built Us,” a reflection on mentorship, knowledge transfer, and the responsibility experienced tree care professionals have to help develop the next generation of arborists.
The article, published by ArborTIMES, explores why mentorship still matters in modern tree care. Cortese reflects on how much the industry has changed over the past 50 years, from better equipment and stronger safety practices to a deeper understanding of tree biology. But he also points to something that remains essential: arboriculture is still a profession built on people willing to teach what they know.
In the piece, Cortese writes about why good mentors teach more than climbing systems, pruning cuts, and technical skills. They also teach judgment, restraint, professionalism, communication, safety culture, and respect for trees as living organisms.
This theme closely aligns with Cortese’s ongoing work supporting the next generation through the Cortese Arboriculture and Urban Forestry Scholarship Endowment at the University of Tennessee. The scholarship reflects his belief that the future of tree care depends on education, mentorship, and helping young people take root in the profession.
The ArborTIMES article also builds on Cortese’s broader public writing about trees, people, and professional tree care. In a recent post connected to his feature in The Pioneer Woman, “A Tree Usually Tells You Before It Gives Up,” Cortese reflected on tree heat stress and the warning signs homeowners often miss before a tree begins to decline.
Together, these pieces show the larger purpose behind Cortese’s work: helping people see trees not only as landscape features, but as living systems connected to homes, communities, memory, safety, and stewardship.
Read the full ArborTIMES article here: https://arbortimes.org/the-arborists-who-built-us/
Cortese is the author of John Muir Climbs a Tree and Other Tree Tales, a unique anthology devoted entirely to stories about trees. The book brings together history, folklore, reflection, and personal connection to explore the many ways trees shape human life.
To stay connected with W. Jim Cortese or inquire about speaking opportunities, visit JimCortese.com or contact him at Ji*********@*****ok.com.
Category: Media and Events Tags: Arbor Times, arboriculture, arborist mentorship, ArborTIMES, knowledge transfer, professional tree care, tree care education, tree care industry, W. Jim Cortese