Working With Trees

Arborists look after trees as: Tree Surgeons, Tree Loppers, Consultants, Tree Planting Contractors, Foresters and other professions.

What They Do

Work may involve: removing dangerous, sick or damaged trees (or parts e.g. invasive root systems), controlling the size and shape of trees,  tree repair (e.g. bracing, propping, cabling branches to prevent them breaking), removing or chipping prunings, accessing trees by climbing or with a travel tower, planting new trees, transplanting large trees, controlling and removing unwanted roots, controlling tree pests or diseases, or developing  tree management plans.

  • Tree workers may specialize: stump removalists provide a service to dispose of large stumps after the tree is removed.  Stump removal can result in soil subsidence, so understanding all of the implications of dealing with 'left over' roots need to be understood.
  • A consultant arborist may advise on the health of existing trees, the dangers they may pose, and actions that should be taken. They may also work with developers or landscape professionals to advise on tree selection, placement and may supervise work.

Where They Work

Arborists often work for an arboriculture business, tree removalist or tree surgeon. Some are employed by public instrumentalities. Some work in forestry and others in private enterprise. Many will start their careers climbing trees and move  on to being a consultant or manager later in their careers or conduct tree inspections and write tree reports for councils. Others may leave arboriculture and find work in other areas of horticulture.


Non-climbing arboriculture assistants are employed to work ropes, lower branches to the ground and clear away branches. They may also operate a chipping machine. This type of work is less skilled than climbing, does not pay as much and may be an easier job to get when starting out in this industry.

A skilled climber is always in demand and can earn very good money however one should always consider whether this is a job you would plan to do for decades, or for a lesser period - as a stepping stone towards something else.

What is Needed


Arborists also need to understand trees: to identify plant pest and disease problems (particularly wood rotting diseases) and differentiate between perhaps 100 or more of the more commonly grown species of trees in their locality and the plant families they belong to.
A tree lopper removing trees, still needs to understand what woods are safe to climb up and what should not be climbed. Different species of trees are stronger or weaker; some are prone to break and others are not.

Courses in Arboriculture - Click for details 

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