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.