As you step outside your door, you hear a chainsaw. You look up to the sky and see a man lifted high on a crane wearing a hard hat and goggles and delicately slicing away limbs from the tree. Who is that man, and why is he near deadly electrical wires cutting limbs from a tree? He's an arborist - one who treats trees and shrubs to improve their appearance and health.
An arborist is part of the arboriculture profession. This science discipline deals with the cultivation, management, and the study of trees mainly, but shrubs, vines, and other permanent woody plants are included. This professional study trees and other related plants, learning about how they grow and respond to cultural practices and their environment. Arborists use several cultural techniques, such as planting, fertilizing, pest control, pruning, and removal.
For example, in an attempt to maintain the healthy stature of a tree, an arborist may try to prevent deterioration by scraping decayed matter from the holes in trees and then filling them with concrete so that the decaying matter will not return. Or, they may use the fertilizing technique, using a hand or machine sprayer, to keep plants thriving and productive.
The practice of arboriculture is primarily focused on individual wood plants and trees that are maintained as permanent fixtures of a landscape and amenity purposes. This refers to settings that are typically created for the enjoyment, protection, and benefit of human beings, including gardens, parks, wooded sanctuaries, and other populated settings. Consequently, it is related to but very distinct from agriculture, horticulture, and forestry sciences.
Education and training for this field of science typically requires completion of a two-year arboriculture technician program. Courses involve a variety of subjects that provide broad education and training on how to care for and maintain trees and similar plants.
The program covers subjects such as diseases of trees and shrubs. Students learn about the various fungal and bacterial diseases of woody plants and how to identify symptoms and render management techniques for reducing disorders. Another essential skill for the arborist to learn is rope technique. Some conduct work that requires climbing a tree, and some do not; however, it is typically part of the curricula.
Some universities and organizations offer arboriculture technician internship programs. In this capacity, the student intern has hands-on experience in every area of the practice, including tree-planting, tree health assessment and inventory, lightning strike prevention, cabling, and tree-climbing, to name a few. Internships are far and few between, so you must be diligent in research to find one suitable for you.
One must be willing to work odd hours and in all kinds of weather, and the work is physically demanding. This is nothing if you have a genuine interest in the profession. If you are one who loves trimming your home bushes and keeping your trees shaped and healthy, this is a good profession for you to pursue! Do some research and find if a program in this field is offered at one of your local colleges or universities. An Associate degree may prove to be sufficient enough. Some may choose to complete online certificate programs.
An arborist is part of the arboriculture profession. This science discipline deals with the cultivation, management, and the study of trees mainly, but shrubs, vines, and other permanent woody plants are included. This professional study trees and other related plants, learning about how they grow and respond to cultural practices and their environment. Arborists use several cultural techniques, such as planting, fertilizing, pest control, pruning, and removal.
For example, in an attempt to maintain the healthy stature of a tree, an arborist may try to prevent deterioration by scraping decayed matter from the holes in trees and then filling them with concrete so that the decaying matter will not return. Or, they may use the fertilizing technique, using a hand or machine sprayer, to keep plants thriving and productive.
The practice of arboriculture is primarily focused on individual wood plants and trees that are maintained as permanent fixtures of a landscape and amenity purposes. This refers to settings that are typically created for the enjoyment, protection, and benefit of human beings, including gardens, parks, wooded sanctuaries, and other populated settings. Consequently, it is related to but very distinct from agriculture, horticulture, and forestry sciences.
Education and training for this field of science typically requires completion of a two-year arboriculture technician program. Courses involve a variety of subjects that provide broad education and training on how to care for and maintain trees and similar plants.
The program covers subjects such as diseases of trees and shrubs. Students learn about the various fungal and bacterial diseases of woody plants and how to identify symptoms and render management techniques for reducing disorders. Another essential skill for the arborist to learn is rope technique. Some conduct work that requires climbing a tree, and some do not; however, it is typically part of the curricula.
Some universities and organizations offer arboriculture technician internship programs. In this capacity, the student intern has hands-on experience in every area of the practice, including tree-planting, tree health assessment and inventory, lightning strike prevention, cabling, and tree-climbing, to name a few. Internships are far and few between, so you must be diligent in research to find one suitable for you.
One must be willing to work odd hours and in all kinds of weather, and the work is physically demanding. This is nothing if you have a genuine interest in the profession. If you are one who loves trimming your home bushes and keeping your trees shaped and healthy, this is a good profession for you to pursue! Do some research and find if a program in this field is offered at one of your local colleges or universities. An Associate degree may prove to be sufficient enough. Some may choose to complete online certificate programs.