Understanding Our Role and How We Differ from Tree Surgeons

When it comes to the care and maintenance of trees, you might hear the terms “arboriculturalist”, “arborist”, and “tree surgeon” used interchangeably. You might find yourself asking – ‘what is an arborist?’ However, there are significant differences between these two professions.

In this article, we will go over what an arborist is, the difference between arboriculturalists, arborists, and tree surgeons, and why choosing the former is often the better option for your tree care needs.

What is an Arborist?

An arborist is a tree surgeon, so the scope of their role in tree management is largely covered by aggressive tree work, such as pruning and felling.

An arboriculturalist, also known as a tree consultant, is a professional who specialises in the care of trees. We are trained and certified to diagnose and treat various tree issues, ensuring the health and safety of trees in urban and rural settings.

Arboriculturalists are often certified by reputable organisations such as the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Opting for an ISA-certified arboriculturalist such as Arbor Cultural will invariably mean a higher standard of tree care.

What do Arboriculturalists do?

Arboriculturalists are knowledgeable about a wide range of tree species and their specific needs. We understand the complex biology of trees and use this knowledge to provide care professionally. When it comes to tree health, we have the expertise to handle any task with precision and care.

Services Provided by Arboriculturalists

The services provided by arboriculturalists can include:

• Tree Surveys and Reports: helping you manage your environment sustainably and ethically.
• Tree Planting: Advising on and implementing the planting of suitable tree species for specific environments.
• Tree Health Care and Decay Detection: Diagnosing and treating tree diseases and pest infestations.

What is an Arborist vs Arboriculturalist?

Understanding the difference between these two professions is crucial for making informed decisions about tree care.

Qualifications and Training

Tree consultants undergo extensive training and certification, often requiring years of study and practical experience. They must pass rigorous exams and adhere to continuing education requirements to maintain their certification. This makes us true tree care professionals, in every sense.

In contrast, Arborists, while skilled in tree surgery tasks such as pruning and tree felling, may not have the same depth of knowledge regarding tree health and biology. Tree surgeons can perform the physical cutting and removal of trees, but they might not be equipped to conscientiously decide when these invasive measures are needed.

Scope of Work

Tree surgeons and tree consultants differ significantly in the scope of our work. While tree surgeons focus on the physical aspects of tree care, such as cutting and trimming, we provide comprehensive tree care services.

This includes diagnosis, treatment, and preventive care. Consider arboriculturalists like tree doctors; they can assess the overall health of a tree, treat tree diseases, and recommend long-term care strategies for your tree that go beyond simply attacking it with a chainsaw.

Why Choose a Tree Consultant Over a Tree Surgeon?

Choosing an arboriculturalist over a tree surgeon ensures that your trees receive holistic and professional care.

We are equipped to address not only the immediate physical needs of your trees, but also their long-term health. Arbor Cultural can identify issues that may not be visible to the untrained eye and can, with our sophisticated technology, even identify issues invisible to the trained eye. Armed with this knowledge, we can then provide treatments that improve your trees’ overall health and longevity.

Professional Tree Care

Professional tree care goes beyond simple tree surgery. We offer a comprehensive approach to tree health, including soil management, pest control, and disease treatment. This ensures that your trees are not merely maintained, but encouraged to thrive for years to come.

Safety and Expertise

Arboriculturalists are trained to handle all tree-related tasks safely and efficiently. Our extensive knowledge and expertise mean that we can undertake complex tree care tasks without compromising safety. This is particularly important when dealing with large trees or trees in difficult locations.

Choose Arbor Cultural for True Arboricultural Excellence

Hopefully by now we have answered your question of ‘what is an arborist’.

In summary, the gulf between an arboriculturalist and an arborist is significant. While both have roles to play in tree care, arboriculturalists offer a more comprehensive and professional approach. Our training, certification, and broad scope of services make them the ideal choice for anyone serious about the health and maintenance of their trees.

At Arbor Cultural, our mission is to provide sustainable tree management that values the wealth, health, and wellbeing of trees. Our team of certified professionals is dedicated to offering the highest standard of tree care. If you’re looking for professional tree care services, trust Arbor Cultural to deliver exceptional and conscientious results.

Contact Arbor Cultural today on 020 4531 6444, or via email at admin@arbor-cultural.co.uk, to find out more about our sustainable approach to tree management.