Personal tools

Navigation

You are here: Home › Careers › Australian Careers › Careers Descriptions › Horticulture Careers › Arborist

Arborist

Arborists look after and maintain trees, including trees in parks, trees in people's back yards, and trees around powerlines.

Tasks & duties

Arborists may do some or all of the following:

consult with the public and/or clients regarding tree maintenance and/or removal
identify, inspect and maintain trees
prune, plant and transplant trees
landscape areas
remove trees, including dangerous or inappropriately planted trees, by felling or sectional felling
monitor and trim trees near power and telephone lines
clear fallen and damaged trees after storm damage
remove stumps
identify potential tree hazards and work to minimise these risks
plan pest management and spray to control pests
maintain equipment
mediate between local authorities and members of the public about resource management
represent clients in property damage cases
operate a plant or tree nursery
run their own business

Specialisations

Arborists may specialise in a number of areas including council work (municipal arborists), power line work (utility arborists), and training or consulting.

Experienced arborists may become team leaders or managers.

Skills & knowledge

Arborists need to have:

knowledge of horticulture including plant and soil biology and tree species identification
landscaping skills
skill in planting and pruning
understanding of arboricultural practices such as tree climbing
knowledge of safe work practices, including how to use chainsaws safely
knowledge of pest control
an understanding of environmental management
first aid skills
good planning and organisational skills
communication skills

Entry requirements

There are two main ways to qualify as an arborist in New Zealand:

Learning on the job

You can learn on the job by completing the national certificate as an apprentice or as a workplace trainee through the Horticulture Industry Training Organisation, or Telford Rural Polytechnic.

Not all workplaces offer apprenticeships or work place training.

Full-time study

Full-time arboriculture courses are offered at Wintec (Waikato Institute of Technology) and Otago Polytechnic.

Secondary education

At least three years of secondary education is recommended. Useful subjects include horticulture, biology, English and maths.

Training on the job

After at least three years' experience, arborists may also apply to become an ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) Certified Arborist. This involves passing an initial exam and then doing a specified amount of training each year. The ISA Certified Arborist qualification is internationally recognised, and useful for arborists who wish to travel outside New Zealand.

New Zealand Arboricultural Association website – information on ISA Certification

Registration

There is no official registration scheme for arborists but the New Zealand Arboricultural Association (NZAA) is working on a code of practice that specifies what skills someone must have before they can call themselves an arborist.

The Approved Contractor scheme run by the NZAA sets standards and criteria for firms.