What does a tree surgeon do? Do you need qualifications to be a tree surgeon? Are tree surgeons well paid in Australia?

Are you looking for a change of career path and fancy something that will allow you to work outside and keep active? If so then a job as a tree surgeon might be the change that you’ve been looking for. But, what does a tree surgeon do? Do you need qualifications to be a tree surgeon? And are tree surgeons well paid in Australia? These are all important questions and in this article, we will tell you everything you need to know so that you can decide if this is a path that you would like to pursue. Read on for more information on what it takes to become a tree surgeon in Australia. 

What does a tree surgeon do?

When exploring the world of arboriculture, you will hear a lot of different terminology being thrown around. You might hear tree surgeon, arborist, tree lopper, and tree worker (to name a few). But, what does a tree surgeon do?  

A tree surgeon refers to a professional who diagnoses and treats various diseases and fungi, including a number of other deficiencies and issues that affect a tree. A tree surgeon may also be required to remove dead or dying branches in order to help promote strong future growth. Ultimately, the job of a tree surgeon is to care for trees on a property and ensure that they have everything they need to not only survive but thrive. 

Do you need qualifications to be a tree surgeon?

Do you need qualifications to be a tree surgeon? You can become a tree surgeon via a college course, apprenticeship, or university degree. You can also achieve it by working towards the role with an established and registered company. The relevant university roles that you should look out for are in Forestry, Forest Management, and Arboriculture. 

The college courses that you need to look out for are:

• Level 2 Certificate in Forestry and Arboriculture
• Level 3 Diploma in Work-based Trees and Timber 

In order to gain access to these courses, there are no minimum requirements. Passing your high-school exams is qualification enough to pursue a career in Tree Surgery. 

Are tree surgeons well paid in Australia?

Are tree surgeons well paid in Australia? A qualified tree surgeon can get paid rather well. In fact, the average salary for a tree surgeon is approximately $61,369 per year (or $26.74 per hour). 

As an entry-level tree surgeon with less than one year of experience, you can expect to earn somewhere in the region of AU$23.44/hour.

Of course, if you would like to earn more then there is the option to start your own tree care and arboriculture business. Naturally, there is an awful lot of work involved with setting up and managing your own business. However, when you have a number of tree surgeons working for you and you can take on and handle multiple jobs per week, over the course of the year your earnings can be substantial. 

Is a job as a tree surgeon worth it? 

Is working as a tree surgeon worth it? It all depends on what you are trying to achieve. If you love nature, working outside, and having a job that will be physically demanding and keep you fit, then working as a tree surgeon is worth it. Not only do you earn an attractive salary as a tree surgeon, but you will be able to work outside in the elements and keep fit while you are at it. 

In addition to that, life as a tree surgeon is never boring. Whilst there will certainly be an element of repetition in the role, for the most part, you will frequently come across different tree-related projects that require a unique approach. 

You will also encounter a wide variety of diseases and fungi, including a number of different tree species, as such, you will always be learning while you are on the job. 

There is plenty of room for advancement as a tree surgeon as well. Eventually, with enough experience, you can step away from the more physically demanding aspects of the job and stick to site management and assessing the various trees on a property in order to diagnose their ailments and subsequently prescribe the appropriate treatment. 

In any case, tree surgeons across the board are very satisfied with their line of work. It certainly beats being sat in an office all day. That, and you get to climb trees! 

Conclusion 

To recap: 

• A tree surgeon refers to a professional who diagnoses and treats various diseases and fungi, including a number of other deficiencies and issues that affect a tree.
• Tree surgeons are required to complete one of the following courses: Level 2 Certificate in Forestry and Arboriculture or a Level 3 Diploma in Work-based Trees and Timber – this can also be done as an apprenticeship or via university.
• Tree surgeons can get paid rather well. In fact, the average salary for a tree surgeon is approximately $61,369 per year (or $26.74 per hour). 

All in all, if you are ready for a change of pace then life as a tree surgeon is both a financially rewarding job and one that will provide you with plenty of opportunities for progression. 

We hope that you have found this article helpful. If you are interested in a change then life as a tree surgeon is highly recommended. You’ll never struggle to find work as a tree surgeon and starting your own business is also an option as well.