30 May 2019

What is a Arborist

An arboristtree surgeon, or (less commonly) arboriculturist, is a professional in the practice of arboriculture, which is the cultivation, management, and study of individual treesshrubsvines, and other perennial woody plants in dendrology and horticulture.

Arborists generally focus on the health and safety of individual plants and trees, rather than managing forests (the domains of forestry and silviculture) or harvesting wood. An arborist’s scope of work is therefore distinct from that of either a forester or a logger.

Scope of work[edit]

An ISA Certified municipal arborist examining a Japanese Hemlock at Hoyt Arboretum in Portland, Oregon

To work near power wires either additional training is required for arborists or they need to be Qualified Line Clearance Arborist or Utility Arborists (there may be different terminology for various countries). There is a variety of minimum distances that must be kept from power wires depending on voltage, however the common distance for low voltage lines in urban settings is 10 feet (about 3 metres).[1]

Arborists who climb (as not all do) can use a variety of techniques to ascend into the tree. The least invasive, and most popular technique used is to ascend on rope. There are two common methods of climbing, Single Rope System (SRS) and Moving Rope System (MRS). When personal safety is an issue, or the tree is being removed, arborists may use ‘spikes’, (also known as ‘gaffs’ or ‘spurs’) attached to their chainsaw boots with straps to ascend and work. Spikes wound the tree, leaving small holes where each step has been.

An arborist’s work may involve very large and complex trees, or ecological communities and their abiotic components in the context of the landscape ecosystem. These may require monitoring and treatment to ensure they are healthy, safe, and suitable to property owners or community standards. This work may include some or all of the following: planting; transplanting; pruning; structural support; preventing, or diagnosing and treating phytopathology or parasitism; preventing or interrupting grazing or predation; installing lightning protection; and removing vegetation deemed as hazardous, an invasive species, a disease vector, or a weed.

Arborists may also plan, consult, write reports and give legal testimony. While some aspects of this work are done on the ground or in an office, much of it is done by arborists who perform tree services and who climb the trees with ropes, harnesses and other equipment. Lifts and cranes may be used too. The work of all arborists is not the same. Some may just provide a consulting service; others may perform climbing, pruning and planting: whilst others may provide a combination of all of these services.[2]

Qualifications[edit]

An arborist disassembling a tree using a crane and bucket

Arborists gain qualifications to practice arboriculture in a variety of ways and some arborists are more qualified than others. Experience working safely and effectively in and around trees is essential. Arborists tend to specialize in one or more disciplines of arboriculture, such as diagnosis and treatment of pests, diseases and nutritional deficiencies in trees, climbing and pruning, cabling and lightning protection, or perhaps consultation and report writing. All these disciplines are related and some arborists are very well experienced in all areas of tree work, but not all arborists have the training or experience to properly practice every discipline.

Arborists choose to pursue formal certification, which is available in some countries and varies somewhat by location. An arborist who holds certification in one or more disciplines may be expected to participate in rigorous continuing education requirements to ensure continuous improvement of skills and techniques.

In Australia arboricultural education and training are streamlined countrywide through a multi-disciplinary vocational education, training, and qualification authority called the Australian Qualifications Framework, which offers varying levels of professional qualification. Government institutions including Technical and Further Education TAFE offer Certificate III or a diploma in arboriculture as well as some universities.[3][4] There are also many private institutions covering similar educational framework in each state.[5][6] Recognition of prior learning is also an option for practicing arborists with 10 or more years of experience with no prior formal training. It allows them to be assessed and fast track their certification.[7]

In France a qualified arborist must hold a Management of Ornamental Trees certificate, and a qualified arborist climber must hold a Pruning and Care of Treescertificate; both delivered by the French Ministry of Agriculture.[8][9]

In the UK an arborist can gain qualifications up to and including a master’s degree. College-based courses include further education qualifications, such as national certificatenational diploma, while higher education courses in arboriculture include foundation degreebachelor’s degree and master’s degree.

In the USA a Certified Arborist (CA) is a professional who has over three years of documented and verified experience and has passed a rigorous written test from the International Society of Arboriculture. Other designations include Municipal Specialist, Utility Specialist and Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA). The USA and Canada also have college-based training which if passed will give the certificate of Qualified Arborist. The Qualified Arborist can then be used to offset partial experience towards the Certified Arborist.

Tree Risk Assessment Qualified credential (TRAQ) designed by the International Society of Arboriculture was launched in 2013. At that time people holding the TRACE credential were transferred over to the TRAQ credential.

In Canada there are provincially governed apprenticeship programs that allow arborists’ to work near power lines upon completion. These apprenticeship program have to meet the provincial regulations (for example in BC WorkSafeBC G19.30), and individuals must ensure they meet the requirements of the owner of the power system.

Cultural practices[edit]

Arborists may use specialised vehicles to access trees, such as this Unimog equipped with a power take-offdriven woodchipper

Trees in urban landscape settings are often subject to disturbances, whether human or natural, both above and below ground. They may require care to improve their chances of survival following damage from either biotic or abiotic causes. Arborists can provide appropriate solutions, such as pruning trees for health and good structure, for aesthetic reasons, and to permit people to walk under them (a technique often referred to as “crown raising”), or to keep them away from wires, fences and buildings (a technique referred to as “crown reduction”).[10] Timing and methods of treatment depend on the species of tree and the purpose of the work. To determine the best practices, a thorough knowledge of local species and environments is essential.

There can be a vast difference between the techniques and practices of professional arborists and those of inadequately trained tree workers who simply “trim trees”. Some commonly offered “services” are considered unacceptable by modern arboricultural standards and may seriously damage, disfigure, weaken, or even kill trees. One such example is tree toppinglopping, or “hat-racking”, where entire tops of trees or main stems are removed, generally by cross-cutting the main stem(s) or leaders, leaving large unsightly stubs. Trees that manage to survive such treatment are left prone to a spectrum of detrimental effects, including vigorous but weakly attached regrowth, pest susceptibility, pathogen intrusion, and internal decay.[citation needed]

Pruning should only be done with a specific purpose in mind. Every cut is a wound, and every leaf lost is removal of some photosynthetic potential. Proper pruning can be helpful in many ways, but should always be done with the minimum amount of live tissue removed.[citation needed]

In recent years, research has proven that wound dressings such as paint, tar or other coverings are unnecessary and may harm trees. The coverings may encourage growth of decay-causing fungi. Proper pruning, by cutting through branches at the right location, can do more to limit decay than wound dressing.[citation needed]

Chemicals can be applied to trees for insect or disease control through soil application, stem injections or spraying. Compacted or disturbed soils can be improved in various ways.[citation needed]

Arborists can also assess trees to determine the health, structure, safety or feasibility within a landscape and in proximity to humans. Modern arboriculture has progressed in technology and sophistication from practices of the past. Many current practices are based on knowledge gained through recent research, including that of the late Alex Shigo, considered one “father” of modern arboriculture.[11]

Legal issues[edit]

Depending on the jurisdiction, there may be a number of legal issues surrounding the practices of arborists, including boundary issues, public safety issues, “heritage” trees of community value; and “neighbor” issues such as ownership, obstruction of views, impacts of roots crossing boundaries, nuisance problems, disease or insect quarantines, and safety of nearby trees.

Arborists are frequently consulted to establish the factual basis of disputes involving trees, or by private property owners seeking to avoid legal liability through the duty of care.[12] Arborists may be asked to assess the value of a tree[13] in the process of an insurance claim for trees damaged or destroyed,[14] or to recover damages resulting from tree theft or vandalism.[15] In cities with tree preservation orders an arborist’s evaluation of tree hazard may be required before a property owner may remove a tree, or to assure the protection of trees in development plans and during construction operations. Carrying out work on protected trees and hedges is illegal without express permission from local authorities,[16] and can result in legal action including fines.[17]Homeowners who have entered into contracts with a homeowner’s association (see also Restrictive covenants) may need an arborist’s professional opinion of a hazardous condition prior to removing a tree, or may be obligated to assure the protection of the views of neighboring properties prior to planting a tree or in the course of pruning.[18] Arborists may be consulted in forensic investigations where the evidence of a crime can be determined within the growth rings of a tree, for example. Arborists may be engaged by one member of a dispute in order to identify factual information about trees useful to that member of the dispute, or they can be engaged as an expert witness providing unbiased scientific knowledge in a court case. Homeowners associations seeking to write restrictive covenants, or legislative bodies seeking to write laws involving trees, may seek the counsel of arborists in order to avoid future difficulties.[19]

Before undertaking works in the UK, arborists have a legal responsibility to survey trees for wildlife, especially bats, which are afforded particular legal protection. In addition, any tree in the UK can be covered by a tree preservation order and it is illegal to conduct any work on a tree, including deadwooding or pruning, before permission has been sought from the local council.

Organizations[edit]

  • Arboriculture Australia Limited, a non-profit organisation, is the peak national organisation promoting and representing tree workers, arborists, professional tree management and urban forestry throughout Australia and the Asia Pacific region.[20]
  • The Tree Care Industry Association, formerly the National Arborist Association, is a public and professional non-profit organization for the arboriculture field. It has more than 2,000 member companies representing over a dozen countries. TCIA’s Accreditation program certifies that tree care companies that have been inspected and accredited based on adherence to industry standards for performance and safety; maintenance of trained, professional staff; and dedication to ethics and quality in business practices. In addition, they provide safety and educational programs, guidelines for tree service operations, ANSI A300 tree pruning standards, and consumer resources.
  • The International Society of Arboriculture, a non-profit organization, maintains a list of ISA Certified Arborists who have passed a written exam and demonstrated a basic level of knowledge in arboriculture.[21] There are also additional classifications of certified arborists with Certified Arborist/Utility Specialist for those who work near power lines, and Certified Arborist/Municipal Specialist for those who deal mostly with community trees. Other certifications exist for Certified Tree Workers, and the highest level of certification, the Board Certified Master Arborist.
  • The American Society of Consulting Arborists is an organization whose membership is exclusive to those with either a certain level of industry experience, plus higher educational experience or continuing education; some members may achieve a higher status by fulfilling the requirements to become a Registered Consulting Arborist.[22] Consulting arborists generally specialize in the areas of ethics, law, land planning and development, and tree valuation, among others. Consulting arborists are often called on for legal testimony and report writing in various instances where a particular authority on trees is necessary for consequent actions.
  • In the UK, the principal organisation representing arborists is the Arboricultural Association. The association maintain a register of consultants who have demonstrated a high level of technical arboricultural knowledge, and operate an Approved Contractor scheme. This scheme assesses both the technical competence and business practices of arboricultural contractors.
  • The European Arboricultural Council is a European group of arboriculture organizations from various countries.
  • Plant Amnesty is a public education and advocacy group, based in Seattle, dedicated to promoting proper pruning methods. Founded in 1987, Plant Amnesty became an international resource for arborists and their clients in the mid-1990s.[23][24]

In literature[edit]

The protagonist in Italo Calvino‘s novel The Baron in the Trees lives life on the ground as a boy and spends the rest of his life swinging from tree to tree in the Italian countryside. As a young man he helps the local fruit farmers by pruning their trees.

Notable arborists[edit]

Some noteworthy arborists include:

  • Francis A. Bartlett – founded the world’s leading scientific tree and shrub care company in 1907.
  • John Chapman – pioneering U.S. frontier nurseryman and orchardist, commonly known as Johnny Appleseed.
  • Canopy Cat Rescue[25]-rescues domestic cats from tall trees, appears on Treetop Cat Rescue.
  • Sebastian Junger – author of Perfect Storm and War, before becoming a journalist, was an arborist in Massachusetts.
  • Chuck Leavell – two-time recipient of the Georgia Tree Farmer of the Year award, and author of the children’s book, The Tree Farmer. In 2006 Leavell was appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue to the Georgia Land Conservation Council. He is also an accomplished jazz pianist and keyboardist for the Rolling Stones.[26]
  • Liam McGough – a contestant on the British version of Big Brother
  • Alex Shigo – the father of modern arboriculture.
  • Cass Turnbull – founder of Plant Amnesty, a non-profit education and advocacy group, and author of pruning and gardening books.[27]
  • Benjamin White – a working arborist until injured in a fall from a tree, Benjamin White became an environmental activist, worked as bosun of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and created the sea turtle costumes worn at the anti-WTO protests in Seattle during 1999.[28]
  • Mark Hartley – Actively involved in forming the Australian National Arborist Association and introducing Standards Australia AS 4373-1996. Mark was awarded the Award of Merit from International Society of Arboriculture – In recognition of service in advancing the principles, and practices of arboriculture. (This is the highest honor bestowed by the industry).[29]
  • Callum David Michael Grant Peck – A leading Tasmianian In the field of Arboriculture. Is credited with the eradication of Gorse in remote North and North-West Tasmania.
30 May 2019

tree surgeons in surrey

A Qualified Tree Surgeon In Surrey will take Great Care of your Trees

Surrey tree surgeons Capel Tree Surgeons takes great pride in offering what some say is the best tree surgery services across Surrey. Click to call us now for help with any tree-related issue, either commercial or residential: 01403 371980


When you’ve decided your shrubs or trees need some care, it’s time to call Capel tree surgeons of Surrey, in order to get some expert advice and a quote. Brad, the senior tree surgeon will ask questions to ascertain all your needs. On arrival, as a sincere Arborist he will let you know if he thinks your trees are fine or if they need attention. An arborist may use terms to describe the work, some of which do not necessarily mean precisely what you might think they do.

Professional Arborists

For instance: if you ask for a shrub to be trimmed we will need to determine if what’s actually needed is to trim using a prune or a hedge trimmer to reach the best results. As you can appreciate both various methods of work might have very different results. While a tree is getting established this process may need to be replicated several times. Proactive formative pruning that is good may save the need to move tree operation. Crown thinning – This is the removal of branches to reduce the tree’s density. The number of branches must be removed to achieve the effect.

Tree Surgery Surrey

With 15 years of experience, Capel Tree Surgeons in Surrey are a great fit to look after and maintain your trees. Brad’s and the team operate in an efficient and organised manner, with total regard for the environment and safety. Our qualified tree surgeons take every care when visiting your premises and we’ll carry out tree work to your total satisfaction, leaving the site looking spick and span! Sometimes it’s necessary to completely remove one or more trees. This can be because of disease or perhaps it’s just the end of the tree’s natural lifespan. Tree removal may also be necessary for aesthetic or practical reasons, such as blocking light from your home or undermining your walls. We can remove any type of tree at any stage of its life, but we prefer that there is good reason. Sometimes trees can just be in the wrong place and unfortunately, they may cause damage to buildings or other property. Or inappropriate planting may have taken place years ago, producing the wrong type of tree in an awkward situation. For example, some people plant willow trees far too close to their houses. All is fine for a number of years, but eventually the trees can cause extensive damage to buildings with their invasive root systems. Sometimes the only remedy is to remove the tree. Leylandii can prove a problem for some gardens as they are so fast-growing and just don’t seem to stop! They can cast dense shade over all or part of your garden or block the sun from your land and house. Leylandii have shallow root balls so larger specimens can be hazardous too. Our tree specialists can cut back or remove your Leylandii if they have outgrown their welcome. Although we don’t enjoy cutting down trees without good reason, Leylandii need careful siting if they are to be left to their own devices! More about safe tree surgery here.

 

Crown thinning – This is the removal of branches to reduce the tree’s density. The quantity of branches must be removed to achieve the effect.

Crown thinning on a tree could be undertaken as part of the pruning, but for a number of reasons could be specified on a tree! When to crown a tree that is large that is thin: To let more light reducing the density of the shade. To allow the wind to percolate throughout the crown, therefore reducing the probability of wind throw. When not to face area thin a sizable tree: Crown thinning certain species has their impact of growing their produce more growth along their branches, at best undoing their latest thinning and at worst making the face area denser than before you started.

 

tree surgeon  Horsham Tree Surgeons work in an organised and efficient way, having total regard for safety and the environment. Our qualified tree surgeons take every care when visiting your premises and we’ll carry out tree work to your total satisfaction, leaving the site looking spick and span! Sometimes it’s necessary to completely remove one or more trees. This can be because of disease or perhaps it’s just the end of the tree’s natural lifespan. Tree removal may also be necessary for aesthetic or practical reasons, such as blocking light from your home or undermining your walls. We can remove any type of tree at any stage of its life, but we prefer that there is good reason. Sometimes trees can just be in the wrong place and unfortunately, they may cause damage to buildings or other property. Or inappropriate planting may have taken place years ago, producing the wrong type of tree in an awkward situation. For example, some people plant willow trees far too close to their houses. All is fine for a number of years, but eventually the trees can cause extensive damage to buildings with their invasive root systems. Sometimes the only remedy is to remove the tree. Leylandii can prove a problem for some gardens as they are so fast-growing and just don’t seem to stop! They can cast dense shade over all or part of your garden or block the sun from your land and house. Leylandii have shallow root balls so larger specimens can be hazardous too. Our tree specialists can cut back or remove your Leylandii if they have outgrown their welcome. Although we don’t enjoy cutting down trees without good reason, Leylandii need careful siting if they are to be left to their own devices! More about safe tree surgery here.

Trimming, Pruning and Cutting

Trees will often benefit from careful and appropriate pruning. As your local tree surgeons, we can help to improve the health of your trees and tidy up their appearance where necessary to improve the structure of the tree. Although small trees may easily be pruned by a knowledgeable amateur, your larger and more precious trees would benefit from the services of a professional tree surgeon, who is properly trained and has the right safety equipment! There are a number of types of tree pruning, the most common being:

  • Crown lifting – where some of the lower branches are removed. Crown lifting is often necessary where trees are overhanging roads, paths or buildings.
  • Crown thinning – involves removal of selected branches within the crown to bring more light and air circulations to the tree. Thinning should be achieved without spoiling the overall shape of the crown.
  • Crown reduction – involves shortening branches to reduce the overall size of the crown of the tree. Crown reduction techniques should be used judiciously and cannot be carried out on birches and conifers.

Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)

Some older trees, or those which are considered to add significantly to the amenity of the area, may be subject to tree preservation orders (TPOs). These are imposed by the local council to protect the environment. If you live in a conservation area, your trees may be similarly protected under the law. If your trees are subject to such restrictions, it is an offence to have tree surgery carried out or fell trees without permission from your Local Planning Authority. We can help in cases where it’s necessary to do remedial work for the health of your trees.

Tree Clearance

Sometimes sites need to be cleared when development is taking place, or where you may want to enhance your garden with different features, for example. We can undertake tree site clearance for you, removing old trees and undergrowth to leave your plot ready for your project. We can also remove rhododendrons if you find they are a problem in your garden.

Woodland Management and Coppicing

Woods and forests are an important part of our environment in the Horsham area but they need to be well managed in order to achieve the best results. We are experienced in all types of woodland management, coppicing, planting new woods and copses, undergrowth clearance and control of invasive species like rhododendron removal and bramble clearance. We will work with you to produce the best management plan according to your needs, whether you plan sporting activities, logging, timber production or simply require maintenance for your amenity woodland.

Hedge Trimming

Hedges come in all shapes and sizes, and some are extremely old. Different types of hedging require different methods of shaping and trimming. It’s also important to trim hedges at the right time of year to maintain a good appearance and to avoid disturbing nesting birds. So leave it to an expert tree surgeon and we’ll look after your hedges, leaving you with a neat and appealing finish. We can also efficiently cope with hedge removal if this is required.

Stump Removal and Stump Grinding

Tree stumps may be left in the ground and even turned into attractive garden features, like seats or bird tables, depending on their situation. But you may want your tree stumps removed for a variety of reasons, so we can grind out your stumps to below ground level, so you can turf or plant over the top. More about stump removal here

Stump Grinder Hire Crawley, Horsham, West Sussex

We have stump grinders for hire if you wish to grind tree stumps yourself.

Tree Surveys and Site Inspections

It’s good practice to have regular inspections of your trees by a qualified tree specialist so that you can catch any potential problems before they develop into major issues. We can carry out tree surveys and site inspections to advise you and explain how to remove tree stumps.

Tree Felling

Trees, like all living things, have a natural lifespan and some live a lot longer than others. So it’s inevitable that occasionally trees need to be felled, however regrettable that might be. Sometimes a fungus or infection might cause damage and tree felling may be the only solution. Or perhaps you have a tree that has outgrown its position or is causing damage to buildings or other plants. Some trees have massive root systems that can eventually undermine buildings if they have been planted inappropriately. In these cases, or where redevelopment work is scheduled, tree felling has to be undertaken. As Horsham tree specialists, we can do the necessary tree surgery and remove complete trees. If your trees are suitable for cutting into logs for your future use, we’ll cut them into appropriate sizes for your requirements, or we can simply take away everything. More about tree felling in Horsham here

Regular Tree Maintenance

It’s advisable to have your trees checked on a regular basis. Although they may look tough, strong winds and adverse weather conditions can damage the biggest trees, so scheduled maintenance is ideal. Horsham Tree Surgeons can inspect your trees and hedges and tidy up broken branches, keep the trees in balance and advise you where necessary. Speak to us about our regular maintenance and tree trimmer service.

Woodland Management and Coppicing

Whether you have a large or small area of woodland, we have the machinery and experience to look after it. We can thin, remove undergrowth and invasive species and coppice as required. Ask us for free advice.

Turfing, Re-seeding and Planting

Once your trees have been removed and tree stumps ground, we can make your garden or paddock look wonderful by re-seeding or turfing. Weeds grow fast and can easily take over your land, so don’t take that risk. Let us restore your ground with our seeding and re-turfing services. As qualified and experienced tree surgeons, we know how to plant trees and can advise on the best specimens to plant for each situation, so you get the most from your planting. You may want to plant oak trees or horse chestnuts around a paddock, for example or maybe you’d like some fruit trees to make a small orchard or to enhance your garden. We can also improve your boundaries or make windbreaks around your paddocks by planting hedging plants to create a new hedge or to improve your existing hedges. Our customers are often surprised how quickly their garden comes back to life once we’ve turfed, seeded and replanted with new trees. Find out more here

Maintaining optimum tree health

Maintain the health and vitality of your trees and plants with expert tree care services available locally. When properly cared for, trees show healthy growth and have a wonderful appearance. There are many websites that show you how to look after different types of trees, so use some of those free Google searches! When you need professional help, be sure to work with a local qualified arborist like Horsham Tree Surgeons. More information about tree problems can be found here Having your trees and hedges maintained by professional tree surgeons will make the best of your garden and protect your assets by adding life to these precious plants. Your property can be enhanced with a holistic tree surgery approach, so pick up the phone and call your local certified arborists today. Call now 01403 371980 to speak to a tree surgeon in Horsham and we’ll be pleased to give you advice on total tree care and maintenance.

Local Tree Surgeons

We provide expert tree care services throughout West Sussex, in fact anywhere within about 30 miles of our base in Horsham. We are also tree surgeons in Crawley, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, Worthing, Ashington, Southwater, Crawley Down, Dorking, Pulborough, Cranleigh. Give us a call to see whether we cover your area. Fencing Contractor Horsham Horsham Fence Contractors

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