Get Out of the Office and Into the Trees as an Urban Arborist

Join me in picturing this situation – it is the beginning of the week, Monday, to be particular, and you find yourself in the office. Office hours, as they call them, are when you have to look at countless spreadsheets for more information as well. The employees stare blankly at the screens. This time, you have not had any coffee. You begin to dream, but not about the numbers that are staring at you in the face. In your mind, an ideal work setting exists where you are outside, getting your hands (in a nice way) messy and doing relevant work. You wish to swap your desk and chair for that of a bird. If this makes sense to you, then let me tell you: that is your new calling – being an urban arborist! I would like to refer them to three doctors (wink).

So, What’s With Their Job Description The Thing – What Is an Urban Arborist?

I want to say that an urban arborist is a kind of superhero, only for the trees. Try to imagine: In the middle of a bustling metropolitan area, with high risers and traffic jams in every direction, the trees are quietly beckoning to us. They provide us with vital oxygen, greenery for our buildings, shelter from the relentless sun, and a sense of calm amidst a difficult setting. However, they, too, require assistance! To begin with, urban trees are subjected to greater mortality rates in comparison to their forest counterparts. Pollution, overhanging structures, soil compaction, and interference from humans all plague urban trees.

That’s when an urban arborist will swoop in. They keep and care for trees in urban settings – they determine the diseases of trees, check dead branches, and, in some cases, protect trees from felling. Yes, you will be saving lives… lives of trees. And I don’t know about you, but that sounds a whole lot more rewarding than sitting in the office and filling out TPS report forms.

Why Choose the Profession of an Urban Arborist?

1. You Will Work 90% of the Time Outside

Do you remember those day jobs that one usually used to imagine working in the huge fitness centers? Well, practically every day is worker’s day for urban arborists. You get to go out to the open air away from the bustling noise and stench of the city and can climb on trees (using ropes sometimes!! because u are actually an adult Tarzan) and witness the awesomeness of nature from a vantage point. Stuck indoors looking at a computer for the best part of the day, do you think?

2. Trees Will Always Have Job Openings

Ok, hiring trees is out of the question and one would even offer you a job if they could speak but the fact remains there is an ever increasing opportunity for tree surgeons in towns. As cities grow bigger, development of urban green projects needs managers who can provide resources and properly look after their greenery. This is one of positions that will always remain – undelivered in any manner, as no one pat hugs the trees in all likelihood.

3. It’s More Than Just Vague Profit—It’s A Workout & You Are Being Paid For That

What is the point of getting a gym membership when you are going to work so hard that you will need to be climbing trees and dragging branches as part of your work? Urban arborists work out the whole body, from the arm muscles (climbing gear, hello) to the leg ones (ever hiked bucked up a tree?). It probably feels pretty good, too, using your body for something useful, such as trying to save trees from illness or a storm.

4. Believe It or Not. What You Do Is Important

I am not saying that your office job is unimportant, but let’s face it, there are very few words that can be sweeter to the ears than the statement that today you worked not just to speak but even did something more than just help the conservation of the tree or beautifying the park.

 Whatever role they play, more urban arborists are improving the environment and quality of life of the urban population, and that is quite an achievement.

So, What Does One Have to Be in Order to Be An Urban Arborist?

Let’s go from the beginning: no one just heats a chainsaw and starts making their way up trees. There is some school of thought there. You must be able to evaluate the tree’s conditions, understand disease, and know how to handle specialized tools’ skills & gears to ensure the safety of yourself and the trees.

Although there are other descriptive words that are preferable to the term tree doctors in this exhibit, I’m sorry, I’m doing it again. Even three doctors need to have excellent communication skills. After all, people such as homeowners, city planners, and some neighbors who do not think that trees are very important until you explain them to them will be the ones you will be dealing with.

Fortunately, if you want to be a tree saving professional, you do not ever have to be discouraged as there are training programs to initiate you. Also sooner or later, everyone will be saying things like “crown reduction”, “phytophthora” etc with ease.

Working with Trees has Immeasurable Life-altering Benefits

1. Stress? What Stress?

Well, there is one fundamental truth, and you know it very well: a majority of what we do is under stress. Be it work, sitting in a traffic jam, or making your day work out, most of the time, it ends in chaos. But that is when you’re working on trees, something changes in the atmosphere. The tension disappears completely. It could be because you are outdoors or because you are pruning branches in the tree’s crown, but it’s restorative. And believe me, no amount of time spent behind a computer with a lot of data and disturbing software can grant you peace like that.

2. You’ll Become a Tree Champion in Your Community

You get treated differently when you are an urban tree carer. You are the person who understands the best way to preserve the old oak in the Smith’s residence or how to protect the small trees on Main Street from invasive species. There is quite some respect for tree doctors because trees are, well, important. And while we’re at it, you’ll probably be putting up with lots of interesting tree questions at dinner parties.

3. One Tree at a Time – a Path to the World’s Salvation

Perhaps it does sound a bit cheesy but nonetheless is true. When all is said and done, trees are indispensable assets especially in urban cultures.

 In this case through arborist practice you are not only enhancing the aesthetic value of the city. You are actually enhancing the quality of air, controlling heat, and participating in the efforts to fight global warming. So yeah, you are kind of a superhero.

Concluding Remarks: Better grab your ‘G-Suit’ than Commuting ‘Suit’ to work!

If yes, why not consider replacing the discomfort of office work with being a tree doctor? This career allows you to enjoy nature, protect her, and perhaps learn enough about trees that your friends will be impressed (because, let’s face it- who doesn’t fancy a tree fact or two?) Well, on the off chance you look for a reward that is gorgeous and challenging at the same time, it’s time you retire your office chair for a climbing harness. Nature is calling out for help, and they happen to need a hero like you!

Little by little, once you get ideas on what to become, check the Tree Doctors, who, as professionals, deserve a patient adorning them to begin their practice as urban arborists. After all, it’s they who know how to save a tree in such an area; it may be downright impossible to sustain one in the middle of a pavement.