Why were we visiting an arborist?

In preparation for the first "Write your Art out! Art and Writing class"  that starts today Skye and I visited with arborist Pete Botke of "Buds Expert Tree Care". He prepared a set of tree rings for us to use in class and he taught us how to "read" a tree ring!  The tree is, or was (?) a Douglas fir. He also told us he has friends in high places....