A person who wants to work as a tree trimmer can learn on the job or through a program that prepares people for this type of work. A tree trimmer may want to consider professional certification after receiving training and gaining experience. Certification can boost your employability and give you access to conferences, trade publications, and other professional development opportunities. Working in this field usually does not necessitate certification, though it can be beneficial.
Working for a tree trimming company or a grounds maintenance company is one way to get started as a tree trimmer, also known as an arborist. Trainees are given the opportunity to work with a variety of tools and trees while being supervised in order to gain professional experience. These abilities include tree care, disease removal, tree shaping, and addressing specific needs, such as fruit tree shaping for maximum yield. Employees with enough experience may be able to apply for certification as tree trimmers.
Attending a training program is another option for becoming a tree trimmer. Landscaping and agriculture programs at colleges, universities, and technical schools may be able to provide training. Specialty classes, which are short courses that provide information on topics such as safely climbing trees or handling specific types of trees, are also available. Graduates of the program will have degrees that they can use in job applications as professional qualifications.
After becoming a tree trimmer, a person can apply for jobs with tree maintenance companies and landscaping companies. He or she might also look for work at a botanical garden or zoological park. Working as a freelancer is another option. Independent tree trimmers can handle a wide range of tasks, including small jobs like pruning single trees that a regular landscaping company might not be willing to handle. For government agencies that do not have their own landscaping staff, some freelancers can win contracts to care for trees on city or government property.
Some specialty tree trimmer positions may necessitate additional training. Landscapers working in historical and heritage gardens are also conservators, and they must consider not only the health and aesthetic appearance of their trees, but also the site’s history. To more closely mimic the way the site would have looked originally, it may be necessary to prune trees in an older style or using outdated techniques. To work as a tree trimmer in secure areas like the gardens around government buildings, landscapers may need to pass background and security checks.