CareErs in Public Horticulture
Career Category:
Horticulture
Position Title:
Urban Forester
Position Summary
- Ensures the overall good health and appearance of urban tree plantings by overseeing their planting, maintenance, inspection, preservation, and removal
- This position often requires an undergraduate degree and 3-5 years of experience
- Other abilities: supervisory, communications, and horticultural skills, as well as the ability to work with contractors
2006 APGA Salary Range
N/A
Career Profiles of Urban Foresters
Thomas Zaleski
Title
Parks Superintendent, City of Newark, DE Parks Department
Job Responsibilities
- Landscape design, maintenance, and tree inspections
- Playground equipment installation, repair, and inspection
- Crew supervision, inventory control, and citizen contact
Educational Background
- A.S., Landscape Design, Temple University
- B.S., Land Management with a Recreation Concentration, Temple University
- Diploma in Horticulture, Pennsylvania State University
Practical Experience
- City of Newark- 18 years
- Philadephia Cricket Club- 2 years
- Fairmount Park Commission, City of Philadelphia- 6 years
Favorite Part of the Job
"Working outdoors most of the time."
Advice
"Start working with landscape firms while in high schoool and college to get work experience."
Why is Public Horticulture a Good Career Choice?
"Knowing you are making our planet a better place for future generations."
Matt Stephens
Title
Senior Forester, New York City Parks and Recreation Department
Job Responsibilities
- Manage approximately $4,000,000 of street tree plantings annually
- Manage the contracts and contractors who perform the tree installation and maintenance of street trees planted throughout New York City
- Manage approximately $3,000,000 of tree procurement contracts annually for trees that are being grown for the city and will be planted
Educational Background
- B.S. in Horticulture, Illinois State University
- M.S. in Public Horticulture, Longwood Graduate Program, University of Delaware
- Certified as an arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture
Practical Experience
- Street Tree Specialist, Delaware Center for Horticulture
- Several years of garden center work
- Extensive knowledge in horticulture and growing conditions of woody plant material
Favorite Part of the Job
- Knowing that I am positively impacting the environment, neighborhoods, and people's lives in a substantial and meaningful way by planting trees