Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Arborist
An Arborist is a professional who specializes in the care and maintenance of trees. They possess extensive knowledge of tree biology, diseases, pests, and proper tree care techniques. In this blog post, we will delve into the primary responsibilities of Arborists as well as the most in-demand hard and soft skills necessary for success in this field.
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Main Responsibilities of an Arborist
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Arborist:
Abide by
Abide by industry safety policies and procedures.
Administer
Administer tree injections and other specialized treatments.
Apply
Apply arborist chips as a mulch to landscape beds and tree rings.
Apply fertilizers, pesticides, and other treatments to promote tree health.
Apply granular and liquid fertilizers.
Assist in
Assist and help in maintaining the City of Edmonton, one tree at a time!.
Assist climbers and crew leaders working on the ground and aloft.
Assist crew leaders and climbers with day to day duties.
Assist in pruning trees, shrubs and plants.
Assist in remval of hazardous trees.
Assist in the performance of specialized pruning and take-downs, installing cabling and bracing.
Assist in the removal of hazardous trees.
Assist monitoring expenditures.
Assist other crew members in performing job duties.
Assist the District Manager in the direction of the operation.
Assist the foreperson on job site setup, debris removal, cleanup and equipment maintenance.
Assist the trimmers and foreperson in job site setup, debris removal and cleanup.
Assist with driving, backing, dumping, and parking duties.
Assist with the implementation of work zone safety procedures.
Attend
Attend community and industry events to help promote our business.
Attend home shows and other opportunities to demonstrate Monster Tree Service capabilities.
Attend weekly Arborist check in, providing input to help schedule weekly tasks.
Brush
Brush hauling and brush chipping, raking and providing ground support for a lead arborist.
Climb
Climb and operate aerial lift to perform tree pruning, removal, cabling & bracing.
Collaborate with
Collaborate in a team environment to deliver work programs.
Collaborate with landscape architects and planners to incorporate trees into urban design.
Collaborate with utility companies to ensure proper clearance around power lines.
Collect
Collect tree inventory data according to municipal regulations in the Metro Vancouver Region.
Communicate
Communicate well with all crew members and clients.
Communicate with client in a respectful and courteous manner.
Communicate with client to ensure work meets their satisfaction.
Complete
Complete Arborist Reports.
Complete proper job site cleanup.
Complete task cards, work records and interpret work assignments.
Conduct
Conduct field work to support Arborist Reports and other documents.
Conduct or assist with Tree Inventories.
Conduct site inspections at various locations to review work progress and quality.
Conduct tree appraisals for insurance claims and legal purposes.
Conduct tree assessments to evaluate overall tree health.
Conduct tree preservation during construction and development projects.
Conduct tree removals when necessary, ensuring safety protocols are followed.
Conduct tree risk assessments.
Conduct tree root investigations and implement root management strategies.
Confirm
Confirm that all maintenance checks and services on equipment are followed.
Contribute to
Contribute to local office marketing efforts by providing ideas, feedback, and consistent oversight.
Control
Control road and sidewalk traffic as needed by use of warning devices.
Coordinate
Coordinate and participate in the work of the Arboriculture work unit.
Create
Create arborist report for the project site.
Create detailed Tree Risk Assessments for clients.
Create follow up report once demolition or excavation is complete.
Create Proposals using MS Excel.
Cut
Cut, chip and load brush and wood.
Deliver
Deliver excellent client experience in all interactions.
Develop
Develop and implement tree care, lawn care & plant health care programs.
Develop and implement tree management plans for municipalities and organizations.
Develop Tree Management Plans.
Diagnose
Diagnose and provide on-site estimates, review scope of work with the customer.
Direct
Direct crew in performance of work to be done.
Direct crew members and equipment as well as planning and executing the assigned work and tasks.
Direct the cleanup of job site and ensure all equipment and supplies are secured on the trucks.
Educate
Educate the public about the benefits of trees and proper tree care practices.
Enforce
Enforce company safety and training policies.
Engage
Engage in community outreach programs and volunteer initiatives.
Ensure
Ensure equipment is properly maintained.
Ensure safety in operations.
Ensure that all tree care work is performed in accordance with industry and company standards.
Ensure that crews are properly trained and understand company safety policies and procedures.
Ensure that each crew member is trained appropriately for each designated job assignment.
Establish
Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Estimate
Estimate costs Arborculture / Horticultural consulting.
Examine
Examine trees and shrubs to diagnose problems and disease.
Focus on
Focus on a variety of source data and VDT for short periods.
Focus on new business development.
Follow
Follow directions from the crew leader or designated supervisor.
Foster
Foster positive relationships with clients, colleagues, and the community.
Identify
Identify and diagnose tree diseases, pests, and nutrient deficiencies.
Identify any jobsite hazards before climbing.
Implement
Implement appropriate treatments to combat tree ailments.
Improve
Improve based on constructive criticism.
Inspect
Inspect, trim and prune trees.
Interact with
Interact with clientele in order to help ensure job satisfaction.
Lead
Lead horticulture staff, if assisting arborist(s) , when performing ground-based duties.
Lead job-site Hazards, Obstacles, Plan, Equipment (H.O.P.E) process.
Learn
Learn how to install cables, bracing, and lightning protection systems.
Learn to perform all aspects of tree pruning and removal services safely and skillfully for clients.
Learn to properly plant trees and shrubs following arboriculture practices.
Learn tree Identification and ANSI A300 Pruning guidelines.
Learn, understands, and adheres to all safety rules and company safety policies.
Lift
Lift and move heavy trees and branches.
Maintain
Maintain accurate records.
Maintain accurate records of tree inventories and work performed.
Maintain all issued gear, assigned equipment and any associated paperwork.
Maintain and clean equipment to ensure optimal performance.
Maintain arborist certification through continuing education credits.
Maintain a safe and controlled workplace and environment.
Maintain Davey and industry safety policies and procedures.
Maintain issued personal gear, crew gear, and equipment.
Make
Make client and prospect visits to diagnose and monitor landscapes.
Make recommendations on the selection, maintenance and reactionary work related to the urban forest.
Make satisfactory progress in Davey's Career Development Program.
Manage
Manage all bid communication including change orders and revisions.
Manage client folders - scan in field notes.
Manage customer service expectations.
Manage customer service expectations, and work safely and professionally.
Manage customer service expectations, safely lead jobsite and crew operations.
Manage landscaping projects.
Manage schedule and confirm appointments for consulting arborist.
Manage time, equipment and materials to ensure jobs are completed in an efficient manner.
Map
Map new plantings via GIS technology or other methods.
Meet
Meet with clients to review and explain project cost, extras and change orders.
Mentor
Mentor crew members through the Davey Career Development Program.
Monitor
Monitor and assess tree growth rates and response to treatments.
Monitor, document, and conduct follow-up operations for tree hazards.
Negotiate
Negotiate contract and bid proposals for residential and commercial customers.
Operate
Operate all equipment in a safe manner.
Operate and maintain chippers, chainsaws, and all other equipment safely.
Operate and maintain tree care machinery, such as chainsaws and chippers.
Operate as a member of a tree crew while progressively learning new skills.
Operate as an active crew member with support from the ground crew and crew leader.
Operate as an active crew member with supporting ground crew and crew leader.
Operate as an active crew member with supporting ground crew and foreman.
Operate chainsaws, chippers, stump grinders, and other equipment as needed on job-sites.
Operate chainsaw to fell, delimb and buck trees.
Operate chippers, trucks, aerial lifts, stump grinders or special equipment.
Operate equipment related to urban tree care.
Operate equipment / tools.
Operate large truck, brush chipper, and a variety of power tools.
Operate the chipper, stump grinder, and all other equipment safely.
Organize
Organize project info accordingly.
Own
Own transportation & clean driving abstract.
Participate in
Participate in all job site safety briefings.
Participate in professional development activities and attend conferences and workshops.
Perform
Perform additional similar and related duties as assigned.
Perform all aspects of tree pruning and removal services safely and skillfully for clients.
Perform customer service, e.g., interact with clients, meet with general public, etc..
Perform daily, weekly and monthly maintenance inspections on equipment.
Perform quality workmanship and quality control with customer care attitude.
Perform related duties as required.
Perform related duties where qualified.
Perform remediation of compacted and poorly drained soils, cultivation and use of organic mulches.
Perform required general maintenance and daily inspection of equipment.
Perform tree cabling and bracing to provide structural support.
Perform tree planting and transplanting to establish healthy urban forests.
Perform tree risk assessments to identify potential hazards.
Perform tree services e.g. pruning, bracing, clearing and marking work-site for public safety.
Perform work in the canopy of the trees at various heights.
Plant
Plant and maintain private and public lawns and gardens.
Practice
Practice safe work habits and adhere to industry safety standards.
Prioritize
Prioritize safe working procedures and familiar with ANSI and OSHA tree industry regulations.
Process
Process employee timecards and approve vacation / PTO.
Promote
Promote ambitious, team-focused experts quickly and focuses on continuing education.
Proofread
Proofread correspondence, arborist reports or other documents as req'd.
Provide
Provide consultation and expert witness services for legal disputes.
Provide emergency tree services during storms and natural disasters.
Provide expert tree trimming services and inspections to client properties.
Provide guidance on tree care practices to homeowners and property managers.
Provide sound arboricultural recommendations to residential or commercial customers.
Provide tree trimming services and inspections to client properties.
Provide trimming and removal of trees up to electrical limits of approach.
Prune
Prune, thin and remove deadwood throughout the tree canopy.
Prune trees to develop and maintain tree health.
Prune trees to improve structure, remove hazards, and enhance aesthetics.
Read
Read and interpret blueprints.
Record
Record and modify customer information within the contact mgmt database (Insightly CRM).
Removal
Removal or trimming of trees and brush encroaching onto utility or transportation rights of ways.
Reorder
Reorder materials and supplies needed for trucks and equipment.
Report
Report delays, mechanical problems and accidents.
Resolve
Resolve issues at the job site to customers' satisfaction.
Respond to
Respond to and assess storm damaged trees.
Respond to client inquires and selling and marketing the organization.
Respond to emergency storm-related work.
Respond to inquiries and complaints from the public and other departments.
Review
Review neighboring properties for work opportunities.
Review plans to confirm that the location of utilities and services have been marked out of flagged.
Safe
Safe operation and maintenance of trucks, trailers and horticultural tools.
Schedule
Schedule work, dispatches and directs crews to complete proposed projects.
Sell
Sell Arboricultural Services to residential and or commercial customers.
Send
Send A / R emails to clients for overdue payments.
Set-up
Set-up personal sales expectations with Branch Managers.
Stand
Stand and / or sit for long periods of time.
Stay up to date with
Stay up to date with industry standards, research, and best practices in arboriculture.
Submit
Submit and pickup demolition permits.
Supervise
Supervise small staff groups (up to 9 FTE).
Supervise workmanship to ensure the work meets job order specifications.
Support
Support the implementation of the Tree Protection Bylaw.
Survey
Survey and assess designated sites.
Take
Take credit card payments over phone and process with online terminal.
Travel
Travel to various locations within a specified region providing consulting services.
Understand
Understand and apply the principles and techniques of modern arboriculture.
Understand the importance of safe work practices.
Update
Update A / R sheets to current.
Update inventory on COE software.
Use
Use all necessary personal protective equipment.
Use and maintain chainsaw safely.
Use data to determine employee pay rate and year-end bonus amount.
Use hand tools and power equipment.
Use specialized equipment to climb trees and perform aerial tree work.
Utilize
Utilize all appropriate personal protective equipment.
Utilize knowledge of compartmentalization and other concepts related to tree wounding / pruning.
Utilize ropes for work positioning at heights up to 60 feet, while pruning or removing trees.
Work
Work in awkward positions with arms unsupported while pruning or planting.
Work on new arborist reports (input tree info, mock-up site photos, create retention plans, etc.).
Work outside in all weather conditions.
Work safely on job sites and participate in safety programs.
Work with a multidisciplinary team from various firms.
Work with office manager to ensure the High Point facility is properly maintained.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Arborist:
Tree identification and taxonomy
Tree pruning techniques (e.g., crown thinning, deadwooding)
Tree removal and rigging methods
Diagnosis and treatment of tree diseases and pests
Soil analysis and fertility management
Planting and transplanting techniques
Tree risk assessment and hazard mitigation
Tree preservation during construction and development
Aerial tree work and climbing techniques
Tree inventory and mapping software
Operation of tree care equipment (e.g., chainsaws, wood chippers, stump grinders)
Tree support systems (e.g., cabling, bracing)
Arboricultural knots and rope work
Tree pruning standards and guidelines (e.g., ANSI A300)
Tree biology and proper use and application of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides
Tree injection techniques
Tree root investigation and management
Tree appraisal methods
Understanding of local tree regulations and permits
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Arborist:
Communication: Effective verbal and written communication skills to interact with clients, colleagues, and the public. This includes explaining tree care recommendations, discussing tree health issues, and providing educational information.
Problem-solving: The ability to assess tree health issues, diagnose problems, and develop appropriate solutions. Arborists must be able to think critically and make informed decisions in challenging situations.
Attention to detail: Arborists must have a keen eye for detail when assessing tree conditions, identifying diseases or pests, and implementing treatments. Precision is crucial in tree pruning and other technical tasks.
Customer service: A customer-centric approach is vital in working with clients who have specific tree care needs and expectations. Arborists should have strong interpersonal skills to listen to client concerns, address questions, and provide guidance.
Time management: Arborists often work on multiple projects simultaneously, requiring effective time management and organizational skills. They must prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and ensure efficient use of resources.
Teamwork: Arborists frequently collaborate with other professionals, such as landscape architects, property managers, and municipal authorities. The ability to work well in a team and communicate effectively is essential for successful project outcomes.
Physical fitness: Tree care work can be physically demanding, involving climbing, lifting heavy equipment, and performing manual labor. Arborists should have good physical fitness to handle the rigors of the job and maintain safety.
Adaptability: Arborists may encounter unexpected challenges or changing environmental conditions. The ability to adapt to new situations, adjust plans accordingly, and find innovative solutions is crucial in the field.
Environmental awareness: Arborists should have a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and conservation. Understanding the ecological benefits of trees and implementing practices that minimize environmental impact is important.
Professionalism: Arborists represent their profession and should uphold a high standard of professionalism. This includes maintaining ethical conduct, demonstrating integrity, and continuously developing their skills and knowledge through professional development.
Conclusion
An Arborist plays a vital role in the care and maintenance of trees, ensuring their health, safety, and sustainability. The primary responsibilities of an Arborist encompass various tree care tasks, from pruning and disease diagnosis to tree preservation and risk assessment. To excel in this field, Arborists need a combination of technical skills, including tree biology, pruning techniques, disease management, and inventory software, as well as soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and customer service. By possessing the necessary skills and knowledge, Arborists can contribute to the preservation and appreciation of our urban forests.
