Arboretum caretaker has deeply-rooted passion for nature

            It is not difficult for Kenneth Robinson to take care of 60 acres. He says he does it “for the trees.”

 Robinson has been the head caretaker at the University of Alabama Arboretum in Tuscaloosa for the past eight years, and was a volunteer before that.

He called the arboretum a tree museum, as it is home to many Alabama native trees and flowers such as south-eastern redwoods, Alabama black cherry trees, azaleas and various hardwoods.

Robinson said he is concerned about Alabama hardwoods being clear-cut and replaced with a spruce, pine and fir hybrids, which grow faster. The arboretum is one of the only places in Alabama where native plants can grow without the danger of being clear-cut or damaged.

Robinson has a very close relationship with nature and values his Cherokee and Lakota heritage. He protects and takes care of the hardwoods in his own backyard, too. He said he has acorn trees, and the deer can come there and know it is a safe spot for them.

“I honor their spiritualism,” Robinson said. There are also many species of birds, deer, coyotes, rabbits and other woodland animals in the arboretum he has a respectful relationship with.  He believes as long as one honors other beings, they can all connect on a spiritual level.

Robinson is also an advocate for preserving the Earth’s drinking water and supports the non-profit Tuscaloosa group, Friends of Hurricane Creek.

He said he hopes to shed light on both how beautiful nature is and how much conservation is needed through photography he does while traveling throughout the United States. His photos can be viewed on Facebook on his page called “Hawks Photos,” a reference to his Lakota name “Cata” meaning “hawk.”

As caretaker of the arboretum, Robinson makes sure everything is groomed and taken care of, from planting and pruning to picking up sticks off the walking trails. He also works with the university’s biology department and looks after the tropical plants the professors keep in the greenhouses.

Robinson has been working by himself since the director retired in April 2012.

“The entire arboretum was left in his hands,” said Sharon Wise, a Tuscaloosa County master gardener. She has been a volunteer at the arboretum for the past seven years, and helps Robinson with any grooming-related tasks he has.

He got some more help when he hired an assistant in May 2013. Wise has also been encouraging fellow master gardeners to volunteer regularly.

The arboretum ground is covered in leaves that fell off the trees in the fall, and with spring not too far away, clean-up will be starting soon. Volunteers are always welcome.

Both Robinson and Wise said the arboretum is a perfect place to work. It is peaceful and beautiful and an ideal escape, located just a few minutes from the UA campus.

“There’s so much to see, so much people just drive past,” Robinson said.

He said he hopes when a new director gets hired, the clubs with UA will start again and more students will come out and enjoy the arboretum.

The arboretum is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset, and is located at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Parkway and Loop Road. For general or volunteer information, visit the website at arboretum.ua.edu.

Kenneth Robinson stands in front of the greenhouses at the front of the UA Arboretum.