What Is The Difference Between An Arborist And A Tree Surgeon?

When trees or hedges require maintenance, only a trained expert should be called upon to ensure the best possible results with minimal effort on your part. However, you may be unsure of whether to hire a tree surgeon or an arborist, and whether the former or the latter would be better suited to your gardening needs. Read on to learn. 

What Is An Arborist?

A certified arborist is a trained expert in tree health care. Arborists have received education and training in the care, maintenance, and study of trees, shrubs, vines, and other perennial woody plants.

Arborists are trained professionals who specialize in the care and upkeep of trees. Their knowledge extends to the diagnosis and treatment of tree-harming diseases and insects. Additionally, arborists can offer advice on how to safeguard trees during construction and development projects, as well as how to select and plant trees.

Typically, arborists work for private firms specializing in tree maintenance, local governments, and energy providers. Some arborists work independently, serving both commercial and residential customers.

It is common practice for prospective arborists to take and pass a certification exam, in addition to completing an accredited arboriculture education program.

What Is A Tree Surgeon?

Someone who “cuts their teeth” as a tree surgeon is an arboriculture specialist. Tree maintenance encompasses a wide range of activities, from trimming and pruning branches to enhance the tree’s health and appearance to removing and replacing trees that have died or become diseased.

In addition to performing surgical procedures, tree surgeons may also offer advisory services to help property owners and managers identify and solve tree-related issues. Tree surgeons are professionals who have extensive knowledge of trees and how to care for them.

They also have access to specialized equipment and tools, such as climbing gear, chainsaws, and wood chippers.

What Is The Difference Between An Arborist And A Tree Surgeon?

The work of an arborist and a tree surgeon is similar, but the two professions specialize in different aspects of tree care.

When it comes to the health of individual trees, it’s best to leave that job to a trained arborist. Activities like pruning, fertilizing, and pest/disease treatment fall into this category. Tree care is a specialized field, and arborists are experts in all aspects of tree biology and physiology as well as the best practices for caring for trees.

They consult with property owners and businesses to explain tree care basics and solve any issues that may arise.

Contrarily, a tree surgeon is an expert in tree care who is trained to handle the more complex and strenuous work involved.

Such work may involve the use of heavy machinery for tasks like grinding stumps or removing large branches, as well as the use of climbing equipment to remove diseased or hazardous trees. Professional tree surgeons typically have specialized education and tools for this kind of work.

When it comes to tree care, both arborists and tree surgeons can be helpful resources, but they specialize in different areas and may be better suited to handle certain problems.

When Do You Need An Arborist And When Do You Need A Tree Surgeon?

Generally speaking, if you have concerns about the health or maintenance of your trees and want expert advice on how to care for them, you may need to hire an arborist.

An arborist is trained to evaluate tree health and make recommendations for its upkeep, whether it be through pruning, fertilization, or the elimination of disease and pests. An arborist can also advise you on how to care for your trees and fix any issues that arise.

However, if you have technical or physically demanding tree-related tasks, like removing a tree or trimming large branches, you may need to hire a tree surgeon. Tree surgeons are experts at navigating trees and limbs, and they use specialized equipment and knowledge to get the job done safely and efficiently.

While both arborists and tree surgeons can be helpful for those who need assistance caring for their trees, they specialize in slightly different areas and may be better suited to handle certain problems. If you want to give your trees the best possible care, it’s smart to get expert advice before making any big moves.

Conclusion

Overall, both arborists and tree surgeons are important roles in tree care, but they perform different tasks and have different levels of expertise. An arborist provides routine maintenance services while a tree surgeon performs more complex and hazardous procedures on larger trees.

The person engaging in any type of tree care must have the appropriate skill set for the job at hand to ensure safe outcomes for people and property.

In reality, tree work cannot be completed without the cooperation of both arborists and tree surgeons. Your garden will look beautiful, and your trees and hedges will thrive because you have the knowledge and experience to keep them that way.