The Arborist (or Tree Surgeon) is responsible for maintenance pruning of branches or larger limbs, carrying out major “surgery” and ultimately safely felling trees when necessary.
The work is very varied. An Arborist needs to be physically fit and like working outdoors. Climbing day in and day out for many hours a day, with a chainsaw hanging from your harness, is demanding and requires physical and mental stamina, although tree climbing is based on technique rather than strength. An Arborist must also be happy working at heights! Practicing Arborists tend to be young - 35 is regarded as old!
Arborists make sure that trees are safe, healthy and well-managed. A basic starting level for an Arborist can be as a Groundsman; with training progression is to a climbing Arborist, who prunes and fells trees, uses a chainsaw, and a chipper to shred up waste.
Jobs can include pruning out dead or damaged branches; maintenance work such as the removal of basal growth or water shoots on street trees; clear or sectional felling of trees; crown thinning; crown lifting.
The most successful Arborists are highly trained professionals who have strong science skills as well as knowledge of tree work. They will be technically competent, understand the science, technology research and development of the tree care industry and be able to work safely as a member of a team. There are qualifications for virtually all aspects of arboriculture and you will need a great many of these before anyone will employ you.
As an Arborist you can work for yourself or as part of a team. To set up on your own, you will need first to have a minimum of three years experience working with someone else. It is often estimated that it takes at least two years of climbing in a commercial environment to become strong and fit enough to be a good Arborist. It also takes time to slowly build up confidence to take on larger and larger trees.