If you enjoy working outside and learning about the natural environment you may be the right kind of person to become an arborist. Arborists specialise in caring for trees by diagnosing and treating any issues they may have. Learning about what an arborist does can help you decide whether it’s the right job for you.
What does an arborist do?
Are you interested in learning about plants and trees and how to care for them? Arborists have a range of duties which help to keep trees healthy. This can involve taking samples from trees and soil for diagnosis, and then applying pesticides, or using pruning techniques to treat their problems. Arborists also carry out large-scale projects to predict how tree growth could impact an area. So, here are some key duties of an arborist:
Assessing soil conditions.
An important aspect of maintaining tree health is ensuring optimal soil conditions for providing tree roots with good nutrition. Arborists can assess these conditions with various soil tests. This can involve testing soil pH level and the nutrients it contains. Arborists use the test results to balance out the pH levels in gardens.
Pruning, trimming and lopping.
A large part of an arborist’s job involves pruning trees to optimise their health and maintain their attractiveness for clients. This may involve removing unhealthy branches or shaping a canopy. Arborists are also responsible for lopping off branches that may pose a hazard, for example when a tree grows too close to a power line. Arborists such as the tree lopping in North Shore service have specialised knowledge of how to cut a tree to ensure its health and safety.
Tree planting.
Arborists can plant the right tree species in the right location for it to thrive. They will first establish the ideal time to plant a specific species. For instance, it might be best to plant a certain tree in autumn when the weather conditions are cool to establish a healthy root system. Before planting they would survey the area to check for underground pipes or cables. Digging a hole at the optimal depth is another important consideration, as is whether a newly planted tree needs a stake, and how much mulch it requires to get a good start.
Cleaning up debris.
After working on trees, arborists are usually responsible for clearing away debris. This may include collecting tree trunks, limbs and branches and feeding them through a wood chipper for composting. Clients may sometimes ask an arborist to cut wood to length for firewood or other purposes. Cleaning up can also involve raking and sweeping the work area, and then washing it down.
Maintaining equipment.
Arborists use a range of equipment including chainsaws, cable hoists, swivels, and slings. To prevent the job from being hazardous, all this equipment must be well-maintained. Before arriving at a job, an arborist will check over all his equipment to make sure he can work safely. This includes checking fuel and oil levels in chainsaws, and carefully examining ropes and slings to check for damage.
