All industries require specific training, skill set, and level of experience for you to qualify. Aboriculture is no different. It is a specialised field that requires one to be well-trained, insured, licensed, and equipped with all the right tools to deal with trees' overall health and well-being. This is what sets arborists apart from tree hobbyists; they may also have a certain level of knowledge and understanding of how to care for trees but lack the proper training, skills, and most importantly, the certification to become a qualified arborist.

If you love trees and want to turn your passion into a profession, you may want to consider becoming a certified arborist. In this article, we will give you an in-depth look at what an arborist is, the job they need to do, and what it takes to become one.

What is an arborist?

Arborists, also known as tree surgeons, are licensed professionals trained to examine, tend to, and maintain different species of trees. Arborists are your go-to people when it comes to caring for your plants and trees. Their main focus is the health and safety of each species, and recommend proper treatment in case of a disease or infestation is diagnosed. 

Aside from their expert knowledge of the biological needs of each tree species, arborists are also experienced in the processes of properly trimming, pruning, and removal of a tree, which means they know council regulations as well as have the right tools to get the job done.

Are arborists different from foresters, loggers, and horticulturists? Perhaps this question has crossed your mind. Many people confuse the role of an arborist with that of a horticulturist, a forester, and a logger since all four deal with trees. The answer to this question is yes. Being an arborist is an entirely different job from being a horticulturist, a forester, and a logger. They may all be dealing with plants and trees but each area of specialization is different from one another.

Horticulturists are experts in garden cultivation and management. Their main focus is on propagating and cultivating ornamental plants, fruits and vegetables. Foresters are specialists responsible for the sustainable management of forests and the ecological restoration of protected areas. As renowned forester Jack C. Westoby once said, "forestry is concerned not with trees, but with how trees can serve people." Loggers, on the other hand, are tradesmen responsible for harvesting and transporting trees.

Now you know what an arborist is and what sets them apart from other specialists dealing with plants and trees, let us take a look at what arborists do for a living.

So, what do arborists do?

If you think that all an arborist does is trim tree branches or cut trees, think again. Their job description and the responsibilities that they need to undertake are much more complicated than that which is why they are required to get certified and licensed.

As mentioned earlier, an arborist's main job is to deal with any issues related to a tree's structure, overall health, nutrition, and disease. Qualified arborists also prune, trim, and remove trees with careful consideration. They make sure that the trees are pruned without causing too much stress which can be detrimental to a tree's recovery and growth. 

Arborists also examine damaged or decaying tree branches. Experienced arborists can tell if your shrub or tree is infected or suffering from a disease just by looking at the color and texture of a tree branch or leaves. They would then take some samples and send them to a laboratory for further testing.

Qualified arborists must also be adept in using hand tools as well as mechanical tools and equipment such as chain saws and stump grinding equipment to do their job. They also need to put on special gear while climbing trees as a safety precaution. Furthermore, they must also be knowledgeable of council policies regarding cutting trees as some trees are considered protected species, which means council approval is necessary before an arborist can cut a tree down otherwise they will be liable to pay hefty penalties.

Working as an arborist comes with a lot of hazards which is why it is considered one of the most dangerous jobs out there.

In October 2022, a dire shortage of arborists in the country has been reported and could pose a safety risk. According to Arborist Australia director James Maund, he believed that the workforce shortage was direr than in any other blue-collar trade. There’s a whole range of jobs within the (aboriculture) industry, which can span a career of 20, 30, or 40 years.

So, if you feel like being an arborist is your true calling, now is your time to shine!