Dirk Dujesiefken

In this Friday episode of Talking Trees, we pay tribute to one of the most influential figures in modern arboriculture—Prof. Dr. Dirk Dujesiefken. His career has shaped the way we understand, teach, and care for trees in urban environments across Europe.

We discuss:

His early fascination with nature protection and the urban role of trees, which led him from studying wood to researching living trees and tree care systems
The founding of the Institute for Tree Care and its three central pillars: education, research, and consulting
His pioneering work in advancing the CODIT (Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees) model and tree condition assessment methods
His contributions to national and European standards for tree management, helping unify and raise the quality of arboricultural practices
How he addresses emerging challenges such as climate change, tree diseases, and urban pressure, and his advice for the next generation of arborists

Dirk Dujesiefken’s work continues to inspire a science-driven, practical, and respectful approach to working with trees.

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