Branching Out: 3 Arboriculture Experts Elevating Green Careers in the American South

By Cowgirl Candace | Photos by Jill Burnsed

The South is renowned for its dense tree canopies, where sprawling branches weave a patchwork of shade and shelter across the region. In Georgia, where forests cover more than 40 percent of the land, these trees do more than beautify the landscape – they support ecosystems, safeguard communities, and tell stories as old as the soil they stand in. For three Black arborists, these trees are not just their livelihood but their legacy. Steve Morrow, his son Edward Morrow, and their colleague Dewarren Crist don’t just work among the branches. They challenge the norm, rewrite the narrative of the green industry, and open new paths for the next generation. Their story begins in the roots. With family. Tradition. The land they’ve called home for generations. Steve, 68, is a legend in Middle Georgia, where he founded M&K Tree Service over three decades ago. He is a man whose hands are calloused from a lifetime of labor yet gentle enough to coax life back into a struggling tree. 

His son Edward, 38, has inherited not only his father’s skill but also his passion for advocacy, blending the science of tree care with the art of storytelling. Dewarren, 35, joined the team in 2018, bringing ingenuity and a dedication to eco-friendly practices that elevate their collective impact. While the perception of this work often stops at chainsaws and hard hats, Steve explains the deeper balance required: “Our job is to make sure we’re preserving existing plant life while removing pressing hazards.” Some of their fundamental contributions to the discipline of arboriculture include preserving ecosystems and wildlife habitats by providing recommendations to combat pests and diseases threatening tree life; educating younger generations about trees’ abilities to function as natural air filters to extinguish pollutants; supporting biodiversity by managing healthy trees that can provide proper shelter, food, and breeding for wildlife to thrive; and preventing soil erosion by ensuring tree root systems remain intact.  

These men are more than arborists; they are architects of an industry often overlooked. Their work stretches beyond trimming branches and removing storm-damaged trees. They educate communities about the symbiotic relationship between trees and people, ensuring the next generation understands that every leaf plays a role in the planet’s health. Together, they climb higher — literally and figuratively — challenging stereotypes and planting seeds of possibility for others who may follow. As Georgia’s small towns and sprawling cities stretch their boundaries, the demand for tree care professionals grows right along with them. With 22 million acres of working forests, the Peach State has held the title of the nation’s top-producing forestry state for nearly a decade. This $41.3 billion economic powerhouse sustains 144,000 direct and indirect jobs. Yet, for all its roots and branches, this industry is still missing something vital: representation. The absence of Black and Brown professionals isn’t only a gap. It’s an opportunity waiting to take root.

Steve Morrow: M&K Tree Service

Since 1991, Steve Morrow has been the steady hand behind M&K Tree Service, a family-run operation rooted in Middle Georgia. For over three decades, he has pruned, toppled, and ground his way through lakefront estates, rental properties, and commercial landscapes across the state, leaving behind healthier trees and safer communities. A veteran in arboriculture, Steve is as comfortable with a harness and climbing rope as he is passing down the skills of his trade. “This work is labor intensive,” he admits, but for Steve, it’s also a calling. His on-the-job training program prepares the next generation of tree professionals to handle the tools of the trade and approach the work with respect for safety, the environment, and the people they serve. New ground crew members learn everything from rigging limbs safely to mastering equipment and disposing of debris without leaving a mark on the landscape. “Our ground crew gains extensive experience in how we use advanced rope technology to complete projects with their protection, tree care, and customer satisfaction at the forefront of the job,” Steve explains. It’s a family affair, too. Over the years, Steve’s wife and five children have all pitched in, helping to transform M&K Tree Service from a small operation into a lasting legacy. Steve and his family exemplify the idea that arboriculture is about building strong foundations for trees. For people.

Edward Morrow: Edward The Arborist 

Edward Morrow may call Middle Georgia home, but his influence in arboriculture stretches far beyond the state line. As a partner in M&K Tree Service and an International Society of Arboriculture-certified arborist, Edward spends his days prescribing care for trees and his evenings advocating for their preservation. Whether addressing agribusiness leaders, college students, or outdoor associations, his message emphasizes the need to build sustainable relationships with these powerful plants. Edward’s expertise goes beyond tree care. He develops urban and rural forestry programs designed to reconnect neighborhoods with their local ecosystems, showing communities how to build sustainable relationships with the powerful plants they pass by every day. He highlights the benefits of green spaces for mental and physical well-being, weaving together science and storytelling to inspire a new generation of environmental stewards. “I don’t think many people truly understand how essential and powerful trees are to our individual and community stories,” said Edward, who grew up climbing trees on his family’s Baldwin County farmland. “Some of the best sustainability ideas and planning sessions I have actually happen on urban nature trails and in rural forests I’m surveying.” Edward’s talent for storytelling has earned him national attention, with recognition in EBONY Magazine and Condé Nast Traveler. Most recently, he combined his love for adventure and the outdoors as the author of Tree S.T.A.R.S., a sci-fi series celebrating the intricate connections between people and nature. For Edward, arboriculture is more than a career – it’s a bridge between the natural world and the people who depend on it.

Dewarren Crist: Fayette Tree Co.

Dewarren Crist planted the seeds for Fayette Tree Co. in 2016, and since then, his work has blossomed into a vital resource for property managers and landowners across Central Georgia. Whether addressing new developments or cleaning up after storms, Dewarren navigates the complexities of tree care with precision and purpose. But his vision goes beyond aesthetics. It’s about creating sustainable ecosystems and inspiring others to see the potential in green careers. In 2018, Dewarren joined forces with Steve and Edward. Their collaborations have been nothing short of transformative. Together, the three have expanded awareness of arboriculture throughout the Southeast while also cultivating opportunities for younger professionals to enter the field. By integrating eco-friendly practices like selective trimming, careful removal, and land clearing, Dewarren ensures that every job leaves neighborhoods and communities healthier and more vibrant. “Trees are so versatile,” said Dewarren, a self-taught carpenter who’s as skilled with a bandmill as he is with a chainsaw. “We all work together to not leave a footprint or interfere with the natural world as much as possible. Anytime we can repurpose our work into sustainable and educational resources is a win for us and nature.” When he’s not beautifying neighborhoods or conserving ecosystems, Dewarren sharpens his hobby skills in lumber production, building relationships with sawyers, developers, and engineers. For him, arboriculture is a craft, a science, and a responsibility – a way to honor the land while ensuring a greener future for generations to come. As the South continues to grow, so does the demand for professionals who can navigate the intersection of nature and development. These arborists meet that demand with grit and grace, showing that green careers aren’t just about the trees but also about building legacies, challenging perceptions, and creating room for others to climb higher.

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