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If you have a problem with a tree, who do you call? You’ll hear the terms “tree surgeon” and “arborist” used, often interchangeably. While many professionals in the field (including us) are both, the two terms technically describe different roles.
Understanding the distinction can help you hire the right person for your specific needs. Think of it this way: one is the highly skilled “do-er,” and the other is the “tree doctor.”
What is a Tree Surgeon?
A tree surgeon is the specialist who performs the physical, hands-on work. This is the person you call when a tree needs to be actively managed, pruned, or removed.
Their Expertise: A tree surgeon is a highly skilled tradesperson. Their primary skills are in:
Safe climbing and working at height.
Rigging: Using specialist ropes and lowering devices to safely dismantle a tree in a tight space.
Operation of heavy machinery: Safely using chainsaws, wood chippers, and access platforms (cherry pickers).
Practical Pruning: Executing the cuts to remove branches safely and efficiently.You hire a tree surgeon for:
Removing a dead or dangerous tree.
Pruning overhanging branches.
Clearing storm-damaged trees.
Grinding a tree stump.In short, a tree surgeon is the “surgeon” who performs the operation.
What is an Arborist?
An arborist (or more specifically, a “consulting arborist”) is the “tree doctor.” An arborist has a deeper, often academic and scientific, knowledge of tree biology, health, and management. They hold qualifications (such as a degree or diploma in arboriculture) and are focused on diagnostics, assessment, and planning.
Their Expertise: An arborist’s skills are in:
Tree Health: Diagnosing diseases, pest infestations, and soil problems.
Risk Assessment: Providing detailed reports on a tree’s structural integrity and safety.
Legal Reports: Writing reports for insurance claims, mortgage applications, or for legal cases involving TPOs (Tree Preservation Orders).
Tree Surveys: Planning for new construction sites, mapping out which trees to keep and which to remove.You hire an arborist for:
A report on why your tree is sick and a treatment plan.
A safety report for the council or your insurance company.
A large-scale survey of all the trees on your property.Who Do You Need for Your Job?
For most homeowners in Galway, the answer is simple:
If you need a tree pruned, removed, or made safe, you need a tree surgeon.
If you need a written report, a disease diagnosis, or legal advice, you need a consulting arborist.The Best of Both Worlds
The best tree care companies (like JB Property Maintenances) bridge this gap. Our teams are led and staffed by qualified professionals who are not just chainsaw operators. They are skilled surgeons who operate based on the expert knowledge of an arborist. They understand why they are making a cut, not just how to make it. They combine the practical, hands-on skill of a surgeon with the know-how of a tree doctor.
For all your hands-on tree surgery needs in Galway, from expert pruning to safe removal, contact the skilled and qualified team at JB Property Maintenances.
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