Arborists manage, maintain and care for trees. They identify particular types of trees, inspect them and prune or plant them according to the tree's condition, and the area in which it is situated. They often deal with hazards such as trees that are within a dangerous proximity to power lines, and also clear damaged or fallen branches and trees after storms. They consult with councils and liaise between local authorities and members of the public about the maintenance or removal of specific trees, and resource management.
   

ANZSCO ID: 362212
    

Alternative names: Tree Surgeon, Arboriculturist, Tree Officer,

Specialisations:

• Tree Surgeon: A tree surgeon is very similar to an arborist but usually has less formal qualifications. Depending on their employment, they might actually have the job title of an arborist, but there are some differences between the roles. A tree surgeon focuses on removing trees in urban settings in a safe and controlled manner. Instead of focusing on tree health, they focus on tree removal. A tree surgeon may specialise in hazardous tree removal, particularly in suburban environments. They may prune branches overlapping power lines or remove large trees between properties.

• Tree Climber: A tree climber also shares similar responsibilities to a tree surgeon and arborist. They may prune, remove and maintain large trees, though they focus on extensively large trees that can be difficult to scale. Compared to a tree surgeon or arborist, a tree climber may have a larger variety of responsibilities and clients. They may assess tree health in national forests for government agencies, install cameras in trees for film crews and remove large trees for private clients. A tree climber might also collect research samples for environmental scientists and research scientists.
  

Knowledge, skills and attributes

An arborist needs:

• an interest in arboriculture and horticulture

• strong practical and logical ability

• good planning, organisation and communication skills

• to be comfortable working at heights

• the ability to work as part of a team

• a methodical approach to their work.

 

Duties and Tasks

• Trim and Prune Trees: One of the foremost responsibilities of an arborist is trimming and pruning trees, shrubs, and other woody plants. Arborists frequently need to climb to a tree’s upper branches using ropes, harnesses, and ladders, and they use hand and power tools to remove branches. This aspect of the job requires thorough knowledge of how to trim trees to encourage healthy growth, along with the physical strength and dexterity to climb and move around a tree’s branches.

• Apply Pesticides: Arborists also prevent infestations and pest-related issues by applying pesticides to trees and shrubs. For this part of the job, arborists need to understand the potential risks and benefits of a particular type of pesticide and ensure that the pesticide they are applying will not have adverse effects on the surrounding environment. In some locations, arborists need special licensing to use pesticides.

• Remove and Plant Trees: In many cases, arborists also need to remove problematic trees. For example, a tree that is threatening structures or power lines may need to be removed rather than trimmed to prevent damage or property destruction. Arborists also supervise plantings, ensuring that new trees have room to grow without damaging neighboring areas and that selected tree species will thrive in the surrounding environment.

• Maintain Soil Conditions: In addition to caring for the trees, arborists also focus on maintaining soil conditions. This can include testing the soil’s acidity to make sure it is within an acceptable range for the tree type, as well as maintaining moisture levels through regular watering and ensuring proper drainage. If the arborist removes a tree, they may also need to backfill the area or prepare the ground for future planting.

• Identify and Treat Tree Diseases: Arborists also use their knowledge of tree anatomy and biology to identify and treat tree diseases. In this aspect of the role, the arborist identifies symptoms such as blights and fungal infections and determines whether a particular tree can be saved. If the infection appears to be limited to a single tree, the arborist may remove it and treat the soil while also examining surrounding trees for indicators of disease.

• Consult with Clients: Many arborists also provide consulting for homeowners, landscaping companies, and local governments on tree care and maintenance. These arborists prepare reports and provide advice and guidance on planting and tree placement, maintenance, removal, and disposal. They may also participate directly in the client’s tree maintenance, planting, and removal activities.

Did You Know? The process of trees sheding their leaves is called Leaf Abscission.  Leaf abscission involves a number of biochemical and physical changes that are largely controlled by plant hormones. Read more about it here (Word doc)

 

Working conditions

Arborists work mostly outdoors in parks, farms and roadsides, and in private yards in most weather conditions. They are occasionally required to cut or remove trees and branches in wet, rainy and stormy conditions, sometimes at heights, and sometimes at night during emergencies. Conditions can be noisy and dangerous.

Tools and technologies

Arborists drive trucks and excavators to and from work sites. They use chainsaws, handsaws and pruning equipment, as well as ropes and climbing equipment such as throw lines and harnesses to get in and out of large trees. They may also use large machines such as volume wood chippers, stump grinders, and elevated working platforms such as cherry pickers, winches on vehicles or chainsaws on very large jobs. They must always wear safety equipment such as helmets, earmuffs, goggles or visors, gloves and boots, and may also need to use traffic management equipment such as cones and signs.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become an arborist, you usually need to complete a traineeship in horticulture (arboriculture). The traineeship usually takes 12 months to complete. ​You can also complete a certificate in arboriculture.

You can work as an arborist without formal qualifications. You would get some on-the-job training. Your employment prospects may be improved if you have qualifications such as a VET qualification in forest management, environmental monitoring and technology or environmental management.

Arboriculture Australia promotes the Australian Quality framework for arborists, and maintains a publicly - available register of qualified arborists.

Some employers may require a current valid drivers’ licence or a Provide First Aid Certificate.

 

 

 

Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs

 

Forester	Gardener	Greenkeeper	Horticultural Assistant
Horticulturalist	Landscape Architect	Logging Truck Driver	Pomologist

 

 

 

Materials sourced from
Jobs & Skills WA [Arborist;]
WebArchive Only - CareerHQ [Arborist; ]
JobHero [Arborist;]
Your Career [Arborist; ]

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