It sounds like a child’s dream come true, climb trees and earn money. In the arborist profession, the care of trees, even high up in the treetops, is the order of the day. More than just good climbing skills are required.
As the tree arborist job title suggests, an arborist is responsible for ensuring a healthy population of trees in his daily work. This includes both preventive and remedial measures.
Prevention and Care:
- Regular tree inspections
- Cutting out tree tops and hedges
- Creation of tree grates, safety cuts in traffic trees
- Soil analysis to ensure adequate nutrient and water supply as well as root growth
Renovation:
- Removal of storm damage
- Milling off root stocks, removal of dead branches
- Supporting or stiffening overhanging branches and unstable trees
- Rehabilitation of sick trees: filling holes, treating the cut surfaces with wound protection agents
- Treating tree diseases and removing tree pests
- Felling sick trees
- Disposal of wood, chopping of green waste
In addition, a certified arborist may carry out expert work , for example to clarify the question of whether a tree is under nature protection. As an arborist, you will mainly work for horticultural and landscaping companies or for specialized tree care and tree renovation companies. Another field of activity is provided by green space offices or forest tree nurseries.
In order to take care of trees, you must demonstrate climbing skills and physical fitness. You must also have extensive knowledge about the tree.
In order to move safely in the treetops, tree workers must be able to climb well . More precisely, they have to master the rope climbing technique. Physical fitness and the ability to work in a team are essential when climbing. Because when doing risky work high up in the tree, a tree worker must be able to rely on colleagues to protect him.
However, knowledge of climbing and a good physical condition alone are not enough. You also need the theoretical expertise related to the tree. So you should know about all biological processes that have to do with the tree and its environment. You must also be able to use the tools necessary to maintain a tree, such as a chainsaw.
Requirements
As a prerequisite for working in tree care, professional training in a so-called green profession is usually necessary. A lateral entry is also possible with sufficient previous experience.
What are the requirements for training as an arborist?
The profession of arborist is not a classic apprenticeship. There are several ways of fulfilling this career dream, usually in the form of further training. The basis is usually a completed training in a green profession , for example gardener, winemaker, forester or farmer. This will give you the necessary basic knowledge.