What is an arborist?

We’ve all heard the term ‘tree lopper’ before and probably used it in conversation in relation to the cutting down of any type of tree, but did you know that ‘tree lopper’ isn’t just a slang term for an arborist?

You might be asking yourself “what is an arborist?”. While a tree lopper generally describes a tree worker who has no certification, an arborist is an individual who has studied at TAFE or university to obtain level 3, 5 or 8 certification in the field of arboriculture within the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF).

Becoming experts in their field, arborists begin their study with a two-year traineeship that combines practical, on the job training with TAFE learning that, once completed, earns them an entry-level or level 3 qualification as a ‘climbing arborist’. A recent shift away from the public TAFE system toward private TAFE has also seen an uplift in the quality of education gained by these budding arborists.

Working to Australian standards either for a company or as a subcontractor, climbing arborists focus on advanced climbing and practical skills such as tree pruning, tree removal, rigging or felling, chainsaw operations, and working at heights with elevated work platforms (EWP), in addition to basic knowledge of tree biology and identification.

Where a level 3 arborist implements the practical measures involved in arboriculture , a level 5 arborist has completed more extensive training to gain the next level of certification, allowing them to assess tree health and make recommendations based on that assessment. 

Also known as a ‘consulting arborist’, the practical skills of a level 5 arborist are bolstered by their significant expertise of tree pathology, advanced tree biology, risk assessment, tree health and management, and identification and inventory management. These skills allow them to prepare arborist reports, which are typically required when appealing to local council for a permit to remove a tree.

Spending the majority of their time off the tools, working in the field gathering tree data or in the office completing reports, level 5 arborists work with both commercial and private clients, making preliminary assessments, evaluating and managing impact, risk, health and safety, and preparing tree protection reports.

In additional to TAFE, a consulting arborist can also undertake a graduate diploma of arboriculture at the University of Melbourne, earning them a level 8 certification. Further specialist qualifications can also be obtained via the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) or Quantified Tree Risk Assessment (QTRA) methods.  

Here at TLC Trees, you won’t find any tree loppers. We only employ qualified level 3 or 5 arborists and apprentices who are highly-educated and skilled in all things trees, so you can rest assured that our lads are more than capable to support you no matter what your project. Get in touch with our friendly team today for a free, no obligation quote.