Arborists are tree experts trained in planting, caring for, and maintaining trees. Necessary skills include tree trimming to keep trees healthy and grinding tree stumps after removal. Passion for nature and environment, tree species knowledge, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, logistics experience, and tree care skills are valued. Arborists monitor and treat trees to ensure safety, using pesticides and fertilizers to protect from threats. They participate in winter work shoveling steps, roofs, and walkways.
Education for Aspiring Arborists
Aspiring arborists should obtain a bachelor’s degree in arboriculture, horticulture, or environmental conservation.
Key Skills and Responsibilities
Arborists need stamina and initiative to work outdoors in all weather conditions. The thrill of climbing trees makes the challenging work worthwhile. Duties include providing expert tree and landscape care through trimming, fertilizing, cabling, and pruning. Dead or diseased trees are removed.
Essential skills include safety training to prevent injury when working at heights with heavy equipment and trees. Chainsaws must be used properly. Physical fitness, climbing skill, biology and physiology knowledge are needed to tend trees. Plant identification skills allow quick species differentiation to determine care needs. Excellent communication and problem-solving enable positive client relationships.