Branching Out: The Vital Role of an Arborist in Preserving Our National Parks

Meet Adam Foldesi, a dedicated Horticulturist and Board-Certified Master Arborist with the National Park Service. In this profile, we explore the unique and vital role arborists play in preserving the natural and historical landscapes within our national parks. From safeguarding significant trees with lightning protection at Shiloh National Military Park to the innovative efforts of cloning and transplanting historic magnolias at Andersonville National Historic Site, Adam's work showcases the diverse skills and deep commitment required to protect these national treasures for generations to come. Read on as we delve into his inspiring journey and discover the fascinating intersection of horticulture, history, and public service within the NPS.

The Spark: What initially drew you to the field of arboriculture, and how did that journey lead you to working for the National Park Service? Were there any specific moments or experiences that solidified this path for you?

I graduated from Michigan State University with the intent of working for the park service. I got a job in Zion National Park as an interpreter but ultimately left. I moved to Denver and got a job with the Department of Forestry for the City and County of Denver, Colorado, and fell in love with the work. I’ve always cherished trees, but I also love the athletic, technical, and exciting nature of the job. On my first day with Denver, watching my crew-leader fly around the canopies of trees in Denver’s City Park, I knew I wanted to invest myself in arboriculture.

Protecting History, Branch by Branch: We saw you expertly installing lightning protection on a mature tree at Shiloh. Can you explain why this kind of work is so vital for the National Park Service, especially in a place with such historical significance? How does protecting individual trees contribute to the larger mission of the park?

There are so many reasons we want to protect individual trees! In our heavily managed landscapes (cemeteries, housing units, visitor centers, picnic areas, campgrounds, etc.) trees are at the crossroads of all kinds of different management focuses. Of course we value a tree as a natural resource, but they have impacts on:

• Facilities and infrastructure
• Public safety, wildlife, cultural resources
• Sustainability
• And of course, public enjoyment and aesthetics.

When a mature tree dies or is damaged, it can often set off a chain reaction of impacts that a park is left to deal with. Benjamin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” As the park service, we manage irreplaceable historic and cultural resources. I will do everything within my skillset to help in the effort.

A Living Legacy: What does it mean to be involved in projects that directly preserve the natural heritage of a site while also addressing practical needs like cemetery space? Can you walk us through the process and the significance of ensuring the "legacy" of a historic tree lives on?

Simply put, it means the world to me. Finding pragmatic solutions to tree problems gets me fired up, especially when the items being addressed are seemingly at odds (“How can we continue burying veterans with these trees in the way?”). Trees help tell the story of a place. Think of the giant sequoias in Yosemite, the orchards of Manzanar and Capitol Reef, the live oaks of Savannah and New Orleans, even the horse-chestnut tree Anne Frank describes in her diary from The Annex. Ensuring the legacy of a historic tree can take a lot of different forms. Sometimes we can take grafts or cuttings and regrow a new tree, sometimes seed collection, but as the preservation efforts of the original tree are reaching the maximum of their potential, it’s time to think about the next chapter of life. In some cases, preserving the original genetics of a tree may not be a good option because of pests or disease, in which case an alternative variety, cultivar, or species may be chosen to achieve the same “form” as the original.

More Than Just Climbing Trees: What are some of the less obvious or perhaps surprising aspects of being an arborist for the National Park Service? What skills or knowledge beyond tree identification and climbing are essential for success in this role?

The ability to always be learning is crucial for work in the NPS. Do I know every species of tree or disease or pest in America? Heck no, and yet I’ve gone all over this country as a tree expert. It’s on me as a professional to become familiar with each region’s, state’s, or ecosystem’s complexities. Each time I have to say I don’t know the answer to a question is a challenge to add something to my professional tool bag. It’s also very important to eat well, stay hydrated, and get a good night’s sleep lol (seriously though).

A Day in the Life: Could you paint a picture of a typical day (or perhaps a particularly memorable day) in your work as an arborist for the NPS? What are some of the challenges and rewards you experience?

Well, like the timbermen of yore, I start my day with a lot of strong coffee. But then it really depends on what the job is. If I have a long day of tree climbing or felling ahead of me, I have to treat myself like an athlete. If I’m doing more reporting and observational stuff, I need to make sure I have all the right tools with me to gather the information. Regardless of either one of those things, I usually try to take time to appreciate where I’m working, it helps give context to the job specific goals. Like in the fall of 2023, I went out to Little Bighorn in MT, to help with de-compacting the soil of the trees in the national cemetery. Before work on the first day, I walked to the monument that denoted where the last of George Custer’s men fell in battle to the combined Native American forces, and on my walk back I found a tiger salamander crossing the path. It was a surprising sighting that perfectly encapsulated the complexity and magic of the park service; the profound historic and the ever-present natural.

For the Love of Parks: What is the most rewarding part of contributing your arboricultural expertise to the National Park Service? What keeps you passionate about this unique line of work?

The trees and the people. I really love trees LOL. I’ve had the pleasure of working on multiple state champion trees and unique trees all over the country. After a decade of full-time arboriculture, I’m still blown away by them.

Meeting people across the NPS and helping them achieve their goals with trees. The NPS is filled with employees who really care about these places and stories, I get to meet them and contribute to their efforts.