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Tree surgeons trim, treat (fertilise and spray with chemicals) and transplant trees to encourage their growth. They also remove dead, decaying trees and plant new trees.
Tree surgery is often performed to improve the health of a tree, to improve its appearance or for safety reasons. For example, tree roots may be affecting the foundations of a building, or underground services such as water pipes, or a tree's branches may be in danger of breaking off and falling, or may be spreading into a neighbour's property, or rubbing against a building.
Doctor! Doctor!
When we go to the doctor, they usually identify symptoms that indicate the type of illness we may be experiencing. A tree surgeon will carry out an initial inspection for the same reason - to uncover the symptoms of disease, or in the worse case scenario, to confirm that the tree has died.
Surgeons may carry out an overall visual inspection, a root collar inspection where they gently pull away the surrounding earth to look at the condition of the roots; or an aerial inspection, involving climbing the tree (or going up in a cherry picker) to look for signs of weakness that are not apparent from the ground.
Some of the techniques used by tree surgeons include trimming, pollarding and felling. During trimming, surgeons trim away any dead wood or excess branches. Pollarding is the annual removal of all of the year's previous growth. This results in the new growth of slender roots and branches.
Tree surgeons may also be required to cut down trees. This can be dangerous. Tree surgeons are trained to take care and ensure that the trees are cut in such a way that they fall in a desired direction, and that surrounding property incurs the least damage. Often this will require a team of several assistants to the tree surgeon, and the use of cables and bracing of limbs to ensure that the removal occurs safely.
''We also treat tree cavities that may have occurred as a result of decay,'' says Tom, a local tree surgeon.
Tom says that a common disease occurring in trees at the moment is Seridium Cardinalus, which affects a range of highly susceptible pine trees. The surgeon treats the tree by a carefully measured stem injection and chemical spray. Trees are also transplanted (uprooted and relocated) if the health of a tree is affected by its current position.
All surgeons would rather remove part of a tree to encourage growth, than cut it down.
''In many cases clients are misinformed about how to preserve trees and are naturally reluctant to have a tree removed. I find it personally satisfying being able to advise them about how to save the tree instead of removing it,'' Tom says.
Tree surgeons also develop tree care and maintenance programs for their clients.
If you are considering working in this occupation, it will help if you are physically fit and agile. This is particularly important when you need to climb a tree. It also helps not to be afraid of heights. Tree surgeons work outdoors and use equipment such as harnesses, helmets, ropes, anchors, pruning saws, chainsaws, mechanical shredders and secateurs. They typically work in teams, so being able to work well with other people is a big advantage.
You're off to a good start in this career if you have an interest in and appreciation of the various tree species and some knowledge of plant biology.
Tree surgery techniques and the handling of chemicals used by tree surgeons can be learned through formal training or on the job. A commitment to the conservation of various tree species is also regarded highly by employers.
Some of the tree surgeons in Western Australia are self employed. However, openings also occur from time to time with local councils, nurseries, gardening contractors and landscape gardeners and architects. Depending on your experience and/or qualification, tree surgeons may start out as groundspersons assisting climbers (these are surgeons who climb trees and who are in great demand in WA at the moment), and progress to a climber. It is also possible for tree surgeons to progress to a supervisory level, then on to management. Tree surgeons can also opt to become a consultant in tree surgery.
Tree surgery is a very small-sized occupation and many opportunities only arise on a seasonal basis, however, this tends to be quite a transient occupation. As a result, although competition for jobs can also be strong, the occupation's transient nature can provide some good employment opportunities.
The starting salary is approximately $25,000 per year and this may go to $38,000 for supervisors, or higher for those who are self employed or run their own business.
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