Tree Trimmers and Pruners
Using sophisticated climbing and rigging techniques, cut away dead or excess branches from trees or shrubs to maintain right-of-way for roads, sidewalks, or utilities to improve the appearance, health, and value of trees.
The Tree trimmer and pruner job description include taking care of the trees and other woody plants. They are also called “Tree Surgeons.” They trim down the branches and excess parts of the plants to improve the health and value of the trees. They use different types of equipment like Lopers, Secateurs, Pruning saw, Hand shears, and Clippers.
Their daily tasks include cleaning, sharpening the tools, and operating with boom trucks, loaders, and power saws to enhance the utility.
To make a successful career as a tree trimmer and pruner, one must have good knowledge of trees, and diseases affecting the plants, trees and shrubs, machines and their maintenance. In addition, they must have good software knowledge in tools like spreadsheet software, web page creation and editing software, electronic mail software etc., with skills like operation monitoring, critical thinking, manual dexterity, ability to detect problems etc.
If we look at the career flow of becoming a tree pruner, one has to complete a High School Diploma or its equivalent with previous work experience, and certification in the respective field.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- Diploma Horticulture
Tasks
- Supervise others engaged in tree trimming work and train lower-level employees.
- Operate boom trucks, loaders, stump chippers, brush chippers, tractors, power saws, trucks, sprayers, and other equipment and tools.
- Climb trees, using climbing hooks and belts, or climb ladders to gain access to work areas.
- Clean, sharpen, and lubricate tools and equipment.
- Cut away dead and excess branches from trees, or clear branches around power lines, using climbing equipment or buckets of extended truck booms, or chainsaws, hooks, handsaws, shears, and clippers.
- Trim, top, and reshape trees to achieve attractive shapes or to remove low-hanging branches.
- Prune, cut down, fertilize, and spray trees as directed by tree surgeons.
- Hoist tools and equipment to tree trimmers, and lower branches with ropes or block and tackle.
- Operate shredding and chipping equipment, and feed limbs and brush into the machines.
- Load debris and refuse onto trucks and haul it away for disposal.
Progression Routes
READY FOR MORE?
Subscribe to our Premium package and you'll unlock a wealth of extra information about your favourite careers and gain access our library of immersive 360° VR careers experience.
As a Premium user you'll find out more about the day-to-day demands of any career, what you could earn and, importantly, receive expert advice on study routes, preparation expenses, and where & what to study to fulfil your potential.