Becoming an Arborist
Arborists are trained to study and care for trees. They are experts on the health and structural problems of trees. They may specialize in a variety of different tasks, including pruning, thinning, treating, planting, or removing trees. If you love the outdoors and would like to work with trees, a career as an arborist may be right for you.
You might work for a local government or for a landscaping company. The salary you receive depends on where you live and what type of business you work for. Becoming an arborist requires a lot of dedication and work. In addition, you must be well-versed in the biological needs of trees.
While working as an arborist, you might be exposed to a number of hazards. For example, you could come into contact with poisonous plants, or be around power lines. Depending on where you work, you might also deal with legal issues. There are a number of reasons why an arborist might need to remove a tree, including if the tree is causing a hazard to the surrounding area or to neighboring homes.
Trees have a very important role in human life, and as an arborist, you might be able to play a key role in keeping them healthy. Pruning, thinning, and removing diseased or dead branches can help keep the structure of a tree strong, while also helping it grow and mature.
Taking care of trees can be very dangerous, as arborists are often in very high places, and they might need to wear safety equipment. In addition, they might be working near pesticides, power lines, and poisonous plants. Having a thorough knowledge of these hazards and the best ways to avoid them is a must.
An arborist works with a variety of equipment. These include chainsaws, aerial buckets, and stump grinders. Often, they will climb ladders, or use other high-tech methods of tree removal. Other tasks that an arborist might perform include spraying trees, transplanting, or removing vegetation that is considered hazardous.
Working as an arborist can be very physically demanding, as they spend a great deal of time on their feet. This is why it is important to have good physical fitness. Also, if you are going to be climbing into branches, you need to have the proper training. Some of the skills that you need to learn include CPR, first aid, and safety protocol when working around power lines and poisonous plants.
Arborists can work in urban and rural areas. Their job is to help promote biodiversity and the health of the natural environment. Among other things, they might be advising on the best species to plant in certain locations.
Some of the benefits of becoming an arborist include the ability to have a career that is physically demanding, but rewarding. Additionally, you can be involved in shaping and beautifying ornamental trees, which can be a huge benefit to any homeowner.
As an arborist, you can choose to work for an employer or you can be self-employed. Typically, you will need to have a degree in a related field, such as forestry or horticulture. However, you might be able to find work as an arborist without a degree, if you have a high school diploma and a lot of experience.