outdoor living
“The very best time to plant a tree is 25 years ago. The second best time to plant a tree is today.” - Dr. Malcolm Guidry
The Tree Doctor Will See You Now photo: HEATHER BURBRINK www.kristinandheather.com
by Webb Williams
SINCE 1998, ST. TAMMANY’S OWN Dr. Malcolm Guidry has consulted on the health, care, protection and value of the 1,000-plus live oaks on the main campus of LSU, as well as many others in the area. A professional consulting arborist, he is known throughout the Southeast for his expertise in dendrology, the study of trees. Malcolm grew up in the woods of Old Metairie in the 1940s and loved trees even as a kid. “In Old Metairie in those days, we were in the woods. We had relatives in New Orleans who thought visiting us was a weekend trip because we were too far away!” He’s had about 40 years of academic experience, first graduating with a degree in agriculture from Southeastern Louisiana College in 1957. He taught general science in Orleans and Jefferson parishes and
then went to work in the LSU Agriculture Extension Service. He eventually earned his master’s degree in extension education and horticultural sciences and a doctorate. After a time at the University of Florida doing specialty work in horticultural and tree matters, he returned to Louisiana to teach in East Feliciana Parish. He then started his own horticulture business, launching his career of the past 20 years as a consulting arborist. Guidry has testified in court as an expert arborist in cases involving property damage, personal injuries and deaths caused by trees. “When a tree fails and people are hurt or property is damaged, I testify in court as to what precipitated that failure—an ‘occurrence of Nature’ (used to be called an ‘act of God,’ but you can’t say that anymore) or ‘negligence’.” He offers some advice: When a property owner >> March-April 2012 111