Lincoln Erbeck’s humor and joy contrast with the technical and often dangerous nature of his work. As a climbing arborist and horticulturist at the UW Botanic Gardens, Lincoln is not just responsible for the health of trees in the Washington Park Arboretum — he plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of the people who visit. And he does this all with a big smile on his face.

Before he ever pruned a tree, Lincoln’s first love was riding and working on bicycles. He spent many years working in bike shops across the county, and it was there that he developed a deep understanding of mechanics and hands-on work. His journey into arboriculture began when he learned to climb trees from a “wild cowboy” out in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Life brought him from Wisconsin to Colorado, then Seattle for seasonal work. He worked for years at Stonehedge Tree Experts where he obtained his arborist certification then at Seattle Tree Preservation where he met friend and fellow arborist Shea Cope in 2014. Years later, they both got jobs at the Arboretum and the rest is history!

Lincoln’s care and attention to each tree is evident in his work. On our walk he pointed out the beautiful green bark of an Acer rufinerve (redvein Maple) planted as a memorial tree by two parents whose young son had passed away. Lincoln carefully prunes the surrounding evergreens to allow more light to reach the maple, honoring the tree’s significance while preserving its health. Removing a branch or an entire tree is never a simple task in an arboretum packed with rare and special plants; it takes very skilled arborists to ensure no harm comes to neighboring trees and understory plants.

This attention to detail becomes even more critical when unexpected challenges arise. Take, for instance, a major storm in December 2024, during which the Green Bay Packers were beating the Seattle Seahawks in football. Lincoln is from Green Bay, Wisconsin, a town where football is life. Though he is fiercely loyal to the Packers, his commitment to his work came first. Knowing that the storm knocked down a 50-foot white pine in the Arboretum, he wisely decided to turn the game off early and get a good night of sleep; the next day his team would need to act swiftly to reopen the Arboretum Loop Trail for public access. When Lincoln arrived near the Stone Cottage, fellow arborist, Shea, had already set up safety precautions by closing the trail under the fallen tree and setting up detour signs around the area. The pine was precariously suspended above the trail, held up by the limb of another tree. The plan was for Lincoln to climb a nearby tree to secure a pulley, allowing the team to carefully lift the tree and begin the process of chain sawing it into logs. But just as the horticulture crew began setting up their worksite, a runner ignored the trail closure, ran past the danger tape and detour signage, and ventured under the suspended tree. Lincoln spotted the runner and immediately shouted for them to move. Within seconds, the tree cracked loudly and came crashing down to the ground. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but it was a close call. “How rowdy is that?” he laughs, recalling the event. This serves as an important reminder to heed all trail closures and detours in the Arboretum, as they are set up for public safety.

While adrenaline is part of the job, Lincoln emphasizes that the most important part of his work is taking care of himself to ensure that he can continue doing this physically demanding and technically challenging work. This is why he values good jokes, great friends, and staying active.

With his job comes a unique perspective: the ability to experience the Arboretum’s changing seasons from a bird’s-eye view. Most people will never have that vantage point, but for Lincoln, it is part of the daily experience and his favorite part of working at the Arboretum. The next time you spot Lincoln up in the shiny new red spider lift or among the Asian Maples or Oaks in the Arboretum, take a moment to appreciate the dedication he brings to his work. He and the entire horticulture crew are true professionals — combining knowledge, skill, and humor to keep plants healthy, people safe, and the Arboretum beautiful.