Trees are everywhere and play a more important role in our world than most people think. Trees produce oxygen as a by-product of the photosynthesis process and therefore need to be protected, grown, and nurtured wherever possible.
Nature and the world around us truly is a wonder and it’s becoming more present every day how important it is that we are all super-mindful about taking care of our planet. Trees and plants play a pivotal role in providing homes in almost every ecosystem, big or small.
Most of us go about our daily lives and see all these trees and might think they just appear all neat, tidy, and well maintained but there is more to this than meets the eye. An arborist is more commonly known as a tree surgeon and their sole role is the upkeep, management, and moving of trees.
So What Are The Responsibilities Of An Arborist?
Planning & Structure
Given how fast the world is developing and the demand for housing is increasing, the positioning and removal of trees is an important thing to assess when focusing on new construction or property development. Maybe there is a requirement to move trees that are in the way of plans or perhaps the plans include an outdoor area that has trees and wildlife as part of the vision. Either way, tree surgeons will be called in to give their advice and provide an insight into the best way to deal with the situation. Trees are complex things and their roots go deep, so structurally things need to be assessed before you can start building houses on them or establishing water pipes underneath them.
Maintenance & Management
This will be more prevalent in larger outdoor areas like national parks or forests, where if we neglect the wildlife too much and allow things to become overgrown then it can cause all sorts of issues. The local councils or authorities will have a workforce whose specific role is the Emergency Tree Removal plus the upkeep and maintenance of this type of stuff, along with other important bits. Sometimes if there are lots of trees near buildings that require sunlight, they may be asked to trim back the leaves or branches if things are inhibited by it.
Study & Research
In this type of role, you need to have both the passion and a deep understanding of trees in order to be an Arborist. Because trees play such a crucial role in the environment for various reasons, arborists are in a unique position where they can study trees and advise on any changes that may be required in their care or upkeep. Furthermore, they may be able to spot certain scientific points and advise the industry on how best to plant and nurture trees, for the good of the local wildlife and people.
Without nature and wildlife, we will be left with nothing so it’s extremely important that we allow industries and sectors that support this, to grow! Maybe you are interested in trees or perhaps you are looking at becoming an arborist because it’s a fascinating area and you will always be kept engaged.
Outcalls & Removal
Given how unexpected nature and the weather can be, often there are mishaps, accidents, or mistakes that happen. If a tree falls down and obstructs the road or disturbs other things then an effective solution needs to be put in place and therefore tree surgeons could be called out to help.
They are the ones who will be equipped with the right gear and knowledge to deal with unwanted or broken trees. It’s not just about how to actually remove the tree based on its surroundings so as not to disturb more wildlife or property, but what to do with them once removed. Maybe they need replanting somewhere else and the Arborist can give an insight as to where might be best, or perhaps they need destroying as they are dead and this must be done in the correct way. Either way, these are the guys you need to call should a tree problem arise.
Private Installations & Work
Much like a landscape gardener or designer, an Arborist has the responsibility of providing specialist advice on where and how to plant trees based on a number of different factors. There is more to just planting trees in a location than you might realize, and they need to think about:
- How the growth of the trees will affect the sunlight for the surrounding buildings, roads, houses, and wildlife
- The space between the trees so each one has enough space to grow their roots in a healthy way without getting wrapped up in those around them
- The client’s budget and how many trees they can purchase based on their goals
- Whether any trees need to be removed in order for the new ones to be put in
How Can I Get Involved In This Area If I Want To Become An Arborist?
As with anything in life that comes with its complexities and importances, becoming an Arborist requires an investment of time and resources. There are many things that need to be learned about before being given the responsibility of dealing with our trees. At the end of the day, these guys have a duty of care towards our wildlife and nature, something which we all share and has an impact on our planet and the way we live our lives.
It’s definitely a positive thing if you are looking into becoming a tree surgeon and one you might find fascinating or even surprising. Becoming an Arborist and taking on that responsibility can give you:
- A deep understanding of the world around us and open your eyes to the awesomeness and power of nature
- The path towards a real future and career in an area that is always going to be in demand and requires a high level of skill and knowledge to do
- An edge over your competitors in the job marketplace given how niche this area is
Understanding the responsibilities of an Arborist is crucial to know how this industry works and what it takes to become one.