Arboriculturist: Job description

Arboriculturists cultivate and manage trees, hedgerows and shrubs. The work is undertaken in both rural and urban settings and includes all aspects of felling, preserving, planting and protecting trees, sometimes using heavy equipment. They also provide information and advice on specific tree-related issues. There is an increasing focus on maintaining a safe relationship between the trees, their immediate environment and the general public.

Arboriculturists who do only hands-on tree and shrub maintenance may be called arborists.

Arboriculturists usually specialise in a particular area of work, such as tree climbing and maintenance, tree preservation and conservation, parks and gardens, planning, or tree survey and inspection. Advances in tree biology, equipment and techniques have resulted in fundamental changes to traditional tree work practices, and arboriculture has moved away from the 'tree surgery' approach to a 'tree care' approach.

Typical work activities

Tasks vary between specific areas of arboriculture.

An arborist works at a practical level and visits a range of sites in order to:

• plant trees and shrubs;
• undertake thinning and tree surgery using a range of equipment;
• undertake groundwork using a chainsaw and a chipper.

An arboriculturist may be involved in the same activities as an arborist, but works at a supervisory/managerial level and will also be involved in:

• selecting plants and designing landscaping schemes;
• applying knowledge of tree biology for effective tree maintenance;
• following and negotiating clients' requirements;
• managing tree care and tree planting contracts;
• carrying out tree inspections and surveys;
• writing reports for engineers, solicitors, mortgage and insurance companies, providing information relating to trees, for example if a tree root system is damaging or likely to damage a building or cause subsidence;
• reviewing and responding to planning applications;
• providing training for junior colleagues and volunteers;
• conducting development site surveys and giving pre-planning advice on topics such as the effect a proposed development may have on trees in the area, and how best to retain them and incorporate them into the finished project.

In urban areas, the work involves improving the relationship between the environment and urban development through activities such as:

• reclaiming abandoned industrial sites;
• pruning tree growth away from electrical cables and public access routes;
• developing practical solutions to environmental issues;
• advising on suitable trees for development sites.