tion requirements — can make the difference between a temporary job and a lasting career. This isn’t charity. It’s an investment in building a skilled, committed work- force. People who have worked hard for a second chance often bring a level of dedication and resilience that em- ployers value. A LONGER VIEW OF THE CANOPY Outside the ACI, the street trees planted by Green Reentry trainees will likely shade sidewalks long after their planters have moved on. Some of the men and women who planted them may pass by those trees years later; others may never see them again. But the act of planting them carefully and correctly has already made a lasting impact. Garden Time’s model isn’t a quick fix, and Lacouture is the first to acknowl- edge that. Trees grow slowly. So do people. For an industry accustomed to working on long timelines, that pace should feel familiar. Arborists routinely invest in work whose greatest benefits they may never personally witness. Ex- tending that same long-term perspec- tive to people rebuilding their lives is a natural expression of the profession’s values. In Providence, Rhode Island, the re- sults are already becoming visible: a growing group of workers entering green careers with meaningful train- ing and experience, and a community whose urban canopy is stronger be- cause of their work. For tree care professionals concerned about the future of both the workforce and the urban forest, Garden Time of- fers a compelling example. With thoughtful instruction, patient mentor- ship, and a willingness to recognize potential where others see only past mistakes, a correctional facility can be- come an unlikely nursery — one where skills, confidence, and second chances are cultivated every day.
Graduates who secure steady employment don’t just transform their own futures — they strengthen their families and the communities around them.
Tree care is patient work. So is person- al change. Both require people willing to return season after season to prune, mulch, adjust, and try again. WHAT EMPLOYERS CAN DO For employers interested in supporting programs like Garden Time, Lacou- ture’s advice is straightforward: treat them like any other workforce develop- ment pipeline. • Connect with organizations like Garden Time and learn what participants are being taught. Align entry-level positions with skills such as tree identification, planting, watering, and ground operations. • Offer site visits or job-shadowing opportunities so participants can experience a professional tree crew and better understand employer expectations. • Consider structured interviews or paid work trials for graduates of prison-based and reentry green industry programs. • Provide mentorship whenever possible. A foreman or experienced crew member who understands the challenges of reentry — including housing, transportation, and proba-
tional training during incarceration is associated with higher employment rates and lower recidivism after release. Grad- uates who secure stable employment don’t just improve their own lives — they strengthen families and communities. When those careers are in tree care, the benefits extend even further through healthier street trees, better-maintained parks, and stronger urban forests. TEACHING TREES, TEACHING TIME Trees offer a natural metaphor for change. Young trees need the right conditions to thrive: healthy soil, proper planting depth, consistent watering, and protec- tion from damage. Neglect those early years, and correcting problems later becomes much more difficult. Many of the people who participate in Garden Time understand what it’s like to grow up without those early supports. The connection is never forced, but it’s always present. When participants identify a girdling root or discuss structural pruning, they’re also learn- ing about intervention, resilience, and long-term stewardship. They see how a strong root system supports healthy growth and how trees develop strength by responding to the forces around them.
14 | Summer 2026 ArborTIMES ™
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