How to Become a Tree Care Professional
Tree care is basically the application of specialized techniques such as felling, trimming, pruning, and trimming. It is also involved in protecting the tree against pests and damage due to winter conditions. The landscape surrounding a tree is usually an important factor in tree maintenance. Pathway trees, landscaped gardens, park, and recreational trees are all at the heart of tree care. They provide an aesthetic and practical advantage to the whole community and provide livelihood opportunities to many.
A very critical factor in tree care is soil compaction. The quality of the soil determines how much nutrients can be derived from the trees. When trees are grown on poor quality soils they will produce low-quality fruit, leaf and root products. In addition, the roots of trees may not penetrate the soil enough and may not survive because of poor soil compaction.
There are three basic kinds of pruning techniques used in the arboricultural industry. They are hand pruning, mechanical pruning and chemical pruning. In the hand pruning technique, the operator uses specialist power tools to remove excess limbs, buds or leaves. The main advantage of hand pruning is that it provides a natural look to the vegetation and also facilitates rapid regeneration of new shoots.
Mechanical pruning refers to using modern arboriculture equipment which is primarily used to thin tree growth. Thinning is done in preparation for tree diseases, such as a disease known as bark beetle. This disease damages a tree’s bark and leaves, which results in a tree dying off gradually. With modern arboriculture equipment, the arborist can easily control thinning and can prune away diseased sections of a tree in one fell swoop.
Chemical pruning refers to the use of chemicals to encourage vigorous regeneration of healthy shoots. This assists in promoting the health and survival of the tree through the prevention of other pests. Many commercial arborists may use chemical insecticides to prevent disease in trees.
For arborists working in an urban setting, a power pruner is needed. Power pruners resemble large chainsaws used by archers. They attach to a tree with cables which pulverize the tree. Power pruners may be powered by electricity, hydraulics or mechanical power.
For those who live in a suburban area where there is no access to a tree surgeon, they rely on tree surgeons to perform a variety of duties. In essence, a tree surgeon is an arborist who performs small surgeries on trees. Some examples include cutting back branches that are encroaching on a homeowner’s property. They also remove unwanted tree limbs to make way for other vegetation. Tree surgeons can help an arborist plan a tree planting project or provide advice on how to best care for trees once they are planted.
The importance of tree care has increased in recent years. As a result, there are more specialized positions available in both the professional and consulting arenas. These positions require knowledge of not only trees, but also the tree industry as a whole. Those seeking employment or who are interested in advancing their career in this field should consult arborists from both local and national resources.
A good place to start is by checking with the local tree association. Many associations offer certification programs and information on available job openings. Additionally, some associations conduct seminars and tree walks to expose individuals to the profession. These seminars can be particularly useful for those searching for jobs in landscaping and other arboriculture positions.
Another resource for those interested in pursuing a position as an arborist is by searching online. There are many websites that offer comprehensive informational support on trees, arborists and related matters. In addition to online support, many community organizations also have tree club meetings and educational opportunities for members who are interested in pursuing a career in the arborizing industry.
Arborists who have attained a level of expertise in tree health and safety may be called upon to perform specific jobs, such as tree removal or pruning. As a rule, tree health and safety are always the top priority for any arborist. This means that a tree removal is only carried out when an emergency situation has arisen, such as a branch having to be removed because it is choking or dangerously falling. In order to be a licensed arborist, you need to attend courses that educate you in basic safety techniques and tree health. Many states require that tree specialists and arborists have certification.
Tree felling or pruning is another job that some arborists perform. They remove mature trees that are uneconomical to maintain. In most cases, these trees do not produce nuts or seeds, so they do not contribute to the tree’s natural survival. When pruning, trees are left with a greater ability to absorb oxygen and nutrients. This can help to promote a healthy environment outside the tree house, especially if there are young children or elderly people living in the area.
