Tree trimmers prune trees for aesthetics, health, and safety using specialized tools. They work for municipal organizations or private companies, and may work alone or in teams. Certification exams may be required, and there is room for advancement in the field. Some tree trimmers may choose to start their own businesses.
A tree trimmer is a landscaping specialist who prunes trees to promote the trees’ aesthetics, health, and safety. He uses several specialized hand and power tools to cut, trim, shape and discard tree branches. While most of the work can be done on ladders, cutting very tall trees requires workers to use bucket trucks and climbing equipment. Most tree trimmers work for municipal government organizations or companies that specialize in tree trimming, although some skilled professionals are self-employed.
Professionals working for private companies often provide services to homeowners and businesses on a contract basis. Working alone or in teams, tree trimmers often visit a potential job site to identify what needs to be done, decide how long it will take and provide a cost estimate. Small trees can usually be cut with the aid of a ladder, hand saws, cutters and chainsaws. After a job, the crew cleans up the debris to feed it through a wood chipper or haul it to an appropriate dump site.
A tree trimmer employed by a city organization is responsible for maintaining trees in public areas and removing unsafe branches from buildings, streets or power lines. A member of a cutting crew may need to ride a motorized bucket on the back of a truck that can be hoisted up to reach tall branches. Climbing hooks, ropes, pulleys and harnesses are needed when climbing trees that cannot be reached by other measures. Workers take extra care when navigating streets and power lines to avoid potentially serious accidents.
A person who wants to become a tree cutter can usually find work if they have a high school diploma. Previous experience in landscaping jobs can be helpful on landing jobs, but most employers will hire people with no experience as long as they are honest, hardworking, and physically fit enough to perform the job duties. An entry-level tree trimmer in a city organization or private company will often act as an assistant or apprentice to more experienced workers for a few weeks or months to learn the trade first-hand. New tree trimmers who demonstrate competence in assistant positions end up receiving independent projects. Additionally, trimmers in many regions must pass certification exams or training courses to prove their knowledge of safety procedures.
There is usually ample room to move ahead in tree pruning jobs. With time and proven skills, city employees may be given the chance to become landscape mowers, managers or overseers. Tree trimmers who gain experience and build a steady customer base at private companies may choose to open their own businesses. Working as an independent contractor, a tree cutter sets his own hours, hires assistants, buys tools and advertises services.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
