Services include pruning, lopping and topping of trees, hedges and shrubs, and consultancy on issues such as tree preservation orders and health and safety risks from storm-damaged trees. Typical clients include private householders and housing associations, highways agencies, local authorities and other public sector organisations. Self-employed tree surgeons often work on a sub-contract basis for property developers, landscape gardeners and larger tree surgery services.

Some tree surgeons, particularly those with professional arboriculture qualifications, provide reports for valuation, mortgage and insurance purposes and act as expert witnesses in legal cases involving injuries or damage caused by trees. Tree surgeons with a degree-level qualification can apply for ‘Chartered Arboriculturist’ status from the Institute of Chartered Foresters.

Arboriculturalists work on individual trees and groups of trees, typically located in residential and public gardens, public parks, at the roadside, in hospital grounds and in public car parks. Forestry professionals carry out similar work to arboriculture professionals, but are often employed by the Forestry Commission and only work on trees in commercial forests and woodland.

Tree surgery is an extremely high-risk occupation involving a variety of health and safety hazards, including risks of serious or fatal injuries caused by working at height, using chainsaws, stump grinders and other arboriculture equipment and machinery, and exposure to petrol fumes and sawdust.

This profile provides information about starting up and trading as a tree surgeon. It describes the skills required, the training available, the current market trends and the key trading issues. It also explains the legislation that must be complied with and provides sources of further information and support.