ARBORIST

Arborists, also known as arboriculturists, are involved in all aspects of tree care. They inspect trees to make sure they are growing properly. They apply fertilizers and pesticides to spur growth or control bugs. Much of the job involves pruning trees, shaping them to improve their beauty, and clearing away dead or diseased branches that prevent growth, interfere with power lines, or pose hazards to pedestrians, motorists, or nearby homes and businesses. If a tree is damaged, an arborist uses special braces and cables to keep it upright and growing properly. If a tree dies or must be removed for a building project, an arborist cuts it down. Arborists also plant trees along city streets and in yards, gardens, parks, and forests.

Arborists usually work in urban or suburban settings. They might be employed by a city or town to care for trees in public areas, in parks, along sidewalks, and near buildings. They might work as part of a crew for a landscaping firm or tree-care company. Some arborists are self-employed and work alone or with a partner.

An arborist's work is rewarding but physically demanding. Most work is done outside during the warm spring and summer growing seasons, but arborists are exposed to all kinds of weather conditions, from blistering heat to chilling rain. Following tornadoes, hurricanes, or other natural disasters, arborists may be called to the scene immediately to remove damaged trees that have fallen on buildings or blocked roadways.

Arborists must be strong and healthy. Whether planting, fertilizing, pruning, or removing trees, they are constantly climbing, bending, or kneeling. Arborists also need a good sense of balance and must be comfortable working high above the ground in buckets, also called aerial lifts. Strength and dexterity is necessary when handling equipment, too. Although arborists use shears, saws, pruners, and other hand tools, they also transport and handle heavy power equipment like chain saws, stump grinders, wood chippers, and sprayers used for applying chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Handheld power tools are especially hazardous when used high above the ground. Also, many chemicals are dangerous to handle or inhale. Although arborists use safety equipment like goggles, gloves, climbing ropes, and safety belts, or harnesses, they can suffer cuts, sprains, bruises, and falls.

Those arborists who don't actually want to prune, fertilize, and cut down trees often work as consulting arborists. A consulting arborist works with homeowners, landscapers, landscape architects, real-estate developers, and tree-service and landscaping companies. He or she advises them on the best trees to plant and how to care for them, as well as how to treat diseased, insect-infested, or damaged trees. If someone is hurt, or property is damaged by trees, consulting arborists work with insurance companies and the courts to provide expert testimony on the cause of the damage as well as its financial cost.