What is an Arborist?
Arborists | Heartwood are tree care professionals who specialize in a wide range of services. They offer expert advice on gardening, tree health, pruning, planting, hazard assessments and tree removal.
They often work with landscaping companies, tree nurseries and municipal governments. They may also work in private landscapes and on commercial properties.
What do arborists do?
Arborists practice the science of arboriculture, which includes promoting the health and safety of trees. They offer a variety of services like tree pruning and trimming, tree removal and stump grinding. They work for landscaping companies, tree nurseries, parks, forestry agencies and private property owners. They also help maintain trees in urban environments and promote biodiversity in undeveloped areas.
Some arborists even perform specialized techniques, such as “crown raising” to permit people to walk under trees and “crown reduction” to keep them away from fences, houses and wires. The best way to find an arborist who can meet your specific needs is to ask for references and visit their past work sites.
When choosing an arborist, make sure they have personal and professional liability insurance. In addition, they should be certified by the International Society of Arboriculture or ISA. Also, a reputable arborist will carry the necessary equipment to complete the job in a safe and efficient manner.
How do arborists get started?
Arborists have a deep love for trees and know how they add value to homes and communities. They have a high level of technical knowledge about tree care, including pruning and trimming. They are also experienced in plant health and disease management.
Arborists work outdoors in varying weather conditions and are often subject to cuts, bites, stings, and other injuries while working with power tools or climbing tall trees. They also use a lot of hand tools and may have to work with chemicals, so physical exertion is an important part of the job.
Arborists work hard to help their clients keep their trees healthy and thriving. They inspect the health of trees, diagnose any problems, and provide services like tree trimming and pruning. They are also called upon to respond in emergencies, such as when a tree falls or is damaged during storms or natural disasters. They can even help with tree planting by helping to determine which trees will thrive on a property and teaching how to plant them.
What are the duties of an arborist?
Arborists perform a wide range of duties. Some specialise in pruning trees, shrubs and other vegetation to ensure they are healthy and aesthetically pleasing. They are also skilled in removing trees safely when necessary, for example, if they are dead or dying, causing risks, obstructing views or crowding other trees.
Others are tasked with surveying and monitoring the health of trees, especially in urban areas. They will assess and report on the status of trees, provide recommendations for maintenance and help to protect them during construction projects.
In the case of emergency, arborists are responsible for assessing and addressing tree damage caused by storms or natural disasters. They are also able to assist with replanting after a tree has been removed, ensuring that it is planted in the correct manner to help with the growth of the new plant. They can also offer advice to property owners regarding the location of trees, based on the climate and soil conditions.
What are the skills of an arborist?
Arborists have skills in tree climbing and removal, identifying trees’ diseases, and ensuring regrowth won’t jeopardize the safety of structures and people. They also have knowledge of various tree species and can advise property owners on selecting the best plants for a location.
They can perform soil tests to check the acidity, nutrient levels, and space for growth before planting a new tree. They can also trim and prune trees to improve air circulation, boost growth, maintain shape, prevent hazards, and keep the trees healthy and attractive.
Depending on the job, an arborist may need to operate equipment and tools such as boom trucks, cranes, loaders, brush chippers, shredders, stump grinders, tractors, chainsaws, and handsaws. They are also trained to safely use a variety of climbing and rigging techniques to access the canopy of trees, and can work off-the-ground using truck-mounted lifts. Arborists can also identify problems with trees, such as fungus or pest infestations, and treat them through environmental changes, pruning, insecticides, or direct injections.
