Tree Trimmers and Pruners

Using sophisticated climbing and rigging techniques, cut away dead or excess branches from trees or shrubs to maintain right-of-way for roads, sidewalks, or utilities, or to improve appearance, health, and value of tree. Prune or treat trees or shrubs using handsaws, hand pruners, clippers, and power pruners. Works off the ground in the tree canopy and may use truck-mounted lifts.

Median Annual Wage: $32,960

Education: High school diploma or equivalent (46%); Less than high school diploma (42%); Associate's degree (7%)

Projected Growth: Faster than average (15% to 21%)

Related Job Titles: Groundsman; Arborist; Tree Trimmer; Tree Climber; Ground Worker; Line Clearance Foreman; Plant Health Care Technician; Tree Care Foreman

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Tree Trimmers and Pruners.

More Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Careers

  • Supervise others engaged in tree trimming work and train lower-level employees.
  • Climb trees, using climbing hooks and belts, or climb ladders to gain access to work areas.
  • Clean, sharpen, and lubricate tools and equipment.
  • Cut away dead and excess branches from trees, or clear branches around power lines, using climbing equipment or buckets of extended truck booms, or chainsaws, hooks, handsaws, shears, and clippers.
  • Trim, top, and reshape trees to achieve attractive shapes or to remove low-hanging branches.
  • Prune, cut down, fertilize, and spray trees as directed by tree surgeons.
  • Hoist tools and equipment to tree trimmers, and lower branches with ropes or block and tackle.
  • Operate shredding and chipping equipment, and feed limbs and brush into the machines.
  • Load debris and refuse onto trucks and haul it away for disposal.
  • Inspect trees to determine if they have diseases or pest problems.
  • Cable, brace, tie, bolt, stake, and guy trees and branches to provide support.
  • Collect debris and refuse from tree trimming and removal operations into piles, using shovels, rakes or other tools.
  • Provide information to the public regarding trees, such as advice on tree care.
  • Clear sites, streets, and grounds of woody and herbaceous materials, such as tree stumps and fallen trees and limbs.
  • Remove broken limbs from wires, using hooked extension poles.
  • Trim jagged stumps, using saws or pruning shears.
  • Transplant and remove trees and shrubs, and prepare trees for moving.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Tree Trimmers and Pruners.

  • Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Tree Trimmers and Pruners.

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