Get To Know Leaf & Limb: Meet Luke
An arborist whose journey from mental health therapy to tree care is as brave as it is inspiring.
This month, we meet Luke, an arborist whose journey from mental health therapy to tree care is as brave as it is inspiring. Thoughtful, curious, and grounded in purpose, Luke brings a deep sense of care to both people and the planet.
Nora: Hi, Luke. Go ahead and introduce yourself however you want.
Luke: My name is Luke, and I’m an arborist for Leaf & Limb. I’ve been here for about 2 years now, and it’s the most favorite job I’ve ever had.
What led you to this kind of work?
Luke: I’d describe the sequence of events that led to me working here as spontaneous, scary, and transformative, in that order. I spent most of my adult life studying to become and working as a mental health therapist. I really enjoyed the work, but after about three years in the field, I started to question whether it was the best fit. Until I decided to make a career change, I realized that most of my life experience had been as a student. I graduated with my master’s degree at 25 and realized I had spent a significant portion of my life in an academic bubble. I felt I had missed out on some “real-world” experiences. A little over two years ago, I left my clinical work behind and took a road trip (with the best dog ever, Mulder) all the way from Tennessee to Oregon. I spent four months volunteering at a vineyard, where I learned a great deal about farm life as well as about myself. I knew that this was precisely what I needed at the time: a healthy space to explore and be curious about my values and vocation. Then I saw an ad online for a tree company.
Why Leaf & Limb?
The ad I saw instantly piqued my curiosity. Never in my life would I have guessed I’d be wielding a chainsaw in the sky, but life loves to surprise. When I learned more about Leaf & Limb, I realized how perfectly the company aligned with my own values. I’ve always appreciated the helping professions, and being an arborist for an environmentally conscious tree care company feels like a continuation of that path, just in a unique way.
What was the most surprising thing about this work or L&L when you started?
When I first started, I felt lost in life and immediately gravitated toward the sense of community everyone was building here. That was a very nice surprise, given how genuine it felt. I was also surprised by how quickly I “got over” my fear of heights. My first few climbs were challenging. I noticed my leg trembling SO much, and I immediately thought, “Well, here we go…I just traveled all the way across the country again just to realize I can’t do this”. Somehow, that visceral fear went away in my next climb.
It’s not to say I don’t get scared anymore. I still get scared every day, but the meaning I find in life tends to come from doing things despite being scared. And doing things that scare me has helped me improve in my competence and confidence. After two years, I have had so many days where I come home feeling a multitude of feelings. Some days are tough, truly. Some days are amazing. Overall, I am grateful for the opportunity to do this every day.
Tell me a couple of things you’d like people to know about you.
I’m a huge fan of music, and I listen to almost every genre. I am a sensitive person and always feel a close connection to the music I engage with. I have a decent record collection that includes everything from neoclassical music to Scandinavian metal, experimental electronic, and Caroline Polachek. My favorite band is Godspeed You! Black Emperor. They’re an instrumental band that has a post-apocalyptic sound. I get chills every time I put them on. I also enjoy attending concerts and occasionally creating my own music. I was a drummer for many years and enjoy making ambient music.
There are a surprising number of very musical people at Leaf & Limb.
Perhaps we should start a band. I wonder what we would call ourselves?
