The difference between a Tree Surgeon and an Arborist
The difference between a tree surgeon and an arborist is tree surgeons focus on tree maintenance, whereas arborists specialise in tree management.
Tree Surgeon Vs Arborist
Tree surgeons and arborists share the goal of preserving and caring for trees, but their qualifications, specialisms and skills differ.
For the services of a qualified arborist or tree surgeon North London Tree Surgeons has both, and we are here to help.
Contact one of our friendly team members to arrange a free consultation or quotation with a professional arborist or tree surgeon in North London.
What is a Tree Surgeon?
A tree surgeon focuses on the practical aspects of tree care, such as tree pruning, felling, removal, planting and stump removal.
What is an Arborist?
An arborist offers the practical services of a tree surgeon yet holds higher qualifications specialising in tree biology, preservation and management.
What is an Arboriculturalist?
An arboriculturist is the same as an arborist, and the titles can be used interchangeably.
How do you qualify to become a tree surgeon?
Becoming a tree surgeon involves a shorter and less demanding process than becoming an Arborist. Aspiring tree surgeons can combine level 2 or 3 college diplomas with an apprenticeship or entry-level position at a tree surgery company. Combining diplomas with on-the-job work experience allows industry newcomers to put what they learn at college into practice. Some training centres also offer fast-track courses that teach the basic skills required to become a tree surgeon within 4 to 6 weeks.
How do you qualify to become an Arborist?
In contrast, becoming an arborist requires more extensive study and training to be qualified. One must pass a higher-level degree, such as a level 4 diploma, at a recognised educational institution to earn the title of arborist. Experience plays a crucial role; arborists need at least four years of work as a tree surgeon before qualifying. To fully qualify, individuals must meet both the technical skill and academic requirements. Arborists will also likely hold further accreditations from the ISA or The Arboricultural Association.
What does a Tree Surgeon do?
A fully qualified tree surgeon will have the skills to assist you with any tree or hedge-related work on your property.
Tree surgeons typically perform these tasks:
- Tree Felling
- Tree Removal
- Tree Pruning – Crown Reduction, thinning and lifting
- Tree Pollarding
- Stump grinding
- Stump removal
- Hedge Cutting
- Tree Planting
- Basic Tree Inspections
What does an Arborist do?
An arborist possesses all the skills of a tree surgeon, having begun training similarly. However, they can also offer professional recommendations on keeping your trees and hedges healthy or returning them to total health. For example, a tree surgeon may identify if a tree is diseased, yet an arborist can conduct further inspections, diagnose the disease and create a treatment plan.
Here are some more examples of tasks arborists perform:
- Soil Sampling
- Tree Health Management Plans
- Tree Disease Treatment Plans and Management
- Tree Disease Treatment Plans and Management
- Tree Surveys and Reports for Planning Purposes (BS 5837 Tree Survey)
- Tree Condition Surveys and Reports for Safety Reasons
- Subsidence Management Tree Surveys and Reports
- Tree Liability Reports (Litigation – Legal and Expert Witness)
- Mortgage Tree Reports (Purchase Tree Survey and Report)
- Woodland Management
Do I need a Tree Surgeon or an Arborist?
Whether you need an arborist or a tree surgeon depends on the requirements of your project, but in most cases, it is best to have both. By using both arborists and tree surgeons, you’ll help to ensure your trees and hedges are managed and maintained as well as possible. We employ a mixture of qualified tree surgeons and arborists, meaning we can take on any arboricultural task or project across North London.
Beware of fraudulent Tree surgeons and Arborists.
Sadly, many cowboy tree contractors misuse the titles of “tree surgeon” or “arborist”. The best way to check if you are dealing with a genuinely qualified tree surgeon or arborist is to ask them for proof of certification. If they fail to provide the evidence you need, we suggest you look for another tree care provider. Choosing a tree surgeon or arborist can be challenging, so we’ve compiled a helpful guide called “How To Pick A Tree Surgeon“. We strongly recommend you read it before hiring a tree surgeon or arborist for your next project.
