A career in tree care is a lucrative one, with more vacancies than can be filled by certified arborists and tree care specialists. If you're looking to break into the field, getting educated and certified in arboriculture can open up many different positions that require a tree care specialist. This work requires a basic knowledge of tree and shrub identification, insect and disease identification, and some plant maintenance practices. Trees need care and maintenance, especially when they are in an urban environment where falling branches can cause problems. I'm an expert in the field of arboriculture, and I can tell you that there's nothing quite like the feeling of climbing a magnificent 400-year-old oak tree to help preserve its existence on Monday, putting myself to the physical and mental test in a technically hazardous tree removal with a team of trained professionals armed with incredible tools on Tuesday, and then flying on Wednesday to share information with fellow tree-climbers in a distant location.
Working with trees is much more than learning to handle a chainsaw or knowing how to climb a tree. New arborists would start a 90-day tree gardening job and receive extensive training before moving on to tree climbing. I also spend a good amount of time traveling to shows, conferences, tree climbing competitions and some media events on behalf of STIHL Inc. The problem is that some people think that tree maintenance and tree service isn't that dangerous and that they can handle the job quite easily. Unfortunately, some providers are ill-equipped to cope with such conditions, which makes their work more difficult and dangerous.
Responsibilities range from conducting tree inventories, diagnosing insects & diseases and applying treatments to manage and control problems. We talked to Mark to learn a little about his tree care work as an arborist, as well as his efforts to educate others about trees and safe climbing. They also conducted interviews with private and municipal tree care experts to understand Sandy's experience and suggest ways to improve safety. Tree care workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in America, regularly encountering heights, slippery conditions, falling limbs, sharp equipment, and electrical cables. According to findings published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, workers employed by tree care experts and licensed arborists were more likely to receive health and safety training and to wear personal protective equipment than those employed by companies that are not part of the professional network of arboriculture. Consumers should work with a licensed tree care professional to identify damaged or improperly planted trees and remove dead trees and branches before the next big storm. He noted that New Jersey recently passed a comprehensive licensing law to help consumers hire a tree care company that respects state standards.
A lot of people see arboriculturists as unskilled workers but this couldn't be further from the truth for most in the field.
