Rochester Trees love looking at trees, especially if they’re trimmed, clean, and neat. You know you’re almost home when you see that familiar red maple or oak down by the street. They’re part of our everyday lives, and it would be a big loss if they were to rot and die. So if a tree is in distress, you need to call the Rochester Trees tree surgeons.
Tree Surgeon
What is a tree surgeon and what does he do?
It sounds like he’s a doctor who operates on trees, and in this regard, he is.
A tree surgeon is a professional who prunes and cuts trees that are diseased or damaged with the end goal of preserving and prolonging its life. He is also tasked with planting, treating, and maintaining trees, as well as felling them when they are no longer safe.
The tree specialist’s job involves knowledge on the kinds of trees, their tendencies, the soil and nutrients they need, and the pests that can affect them.
You’d think that caring for trees are easy, but they’re not. After carrying out inspection, assessing the trees and hazards involved, and creating a solution for the problem, tree surgeons perform the actual work he discussed with the client.
One of the things tree surgeons do is healing tree wounds. Tree doctors perform surgeries, sometimes as little as simple diamond cuts or something more complex like a whole cavity filling in order for the tree to heal or revive. This is especially important for older trees and those that are on historical or heritage sites.
Other times, the tree doctor will have to “guide” the trunk and limbs how to grow by applying cables and braces. These apparatuses provide structural support to old or leaning trees for everyone’s safety. The knowledge required to do this type of work includes knowing how to find the age of trees, growth patterns, the weight of branches, and the tendencies of bark and limb cracks and splits.
More commonly, tree surgeons go up a tree and do cuts and thinning. The climbing work involves going up safely, slicing off limbs properly, or felling them without causing damage to its surroundings (including other trees) as well as themselves.
Therefore, a tree surgeon is required to know and handle safety and heavy equipment such as ropes, harnesses, rigging, saws, axes, ladders, and even first aid kits.
The work of a tree doctor is sometimes dangerous. The combination of height, sharp equipment, and exposure to dust, debris, pests, and sometimes even slippery or icy conditions makes the job challenging.
With all these required knowledge and involved occupational hazards, a confident tree surgeon like the ones at Rochester Trees may make it look easy, but even experienced professionals admit that it is clearly not.
Some of these trees can be in tight spots that won’t allow for much space for the tree surgeon to work on. They can be in backyards or beside busy roads that won’t allow for errors on his part. A single mistake such as felling timber or falling equipment can mean damage and injury (or worse, fatality) for anybody and anything in the vicinity.
In this case, pieces to be removed are measured precisely to make sure they fit the space they’re supposed to fall on. This is part of the job of a tree surgeon.
There is also the common problem of pests especially with trees that can bite or sting, causing allergic reactions that may endanger life and health. A tree surgeon wears the correct PPE (personal protective equipment), and knows what chemicals to use to get rid of such infestations without harming the tree.
Tree surgeons may also be called upon during bad weather, making tasks even harder to do. A professional tree surgeon determines whether it is safe enough to perform the job under those weather conditions.
One doesn’t simply wake up one day, decide to become a tree surgeon, buy equipment, and start working as one.
Tree surgeons need knowledge
Just like someone who studies medicine, a tree doctor learns the ropes by reading books about tree care and “interning” with practicing professionals. Through these methods he learns how to solve tree problems.
One of the most important things a tree surgeon does is assess risk. Even with a detailed description from the client, the tree surgeon will have to look at the area physically first. He will have to look around and look for space for felling and equipment if necessary, property and other trees and plants that might get damaged, power lines, and dead limbs that might fall off during tree surgery.
Sometimes, trees that need surgery are situated in gardens near garages and fences. Other times, they’re right beside the interstate. Whatever the situation, it’s the tree surgeon’s job to create a plan that would avoid harm to life and minimize damage to property.
Because the local tree doctors at Rochester Trees are professionals, clients can rely on the knowledge our experts have to deal with simple to difficult situations.
Tree surgeons need physical strength
Obviously, there are physical demands to becoming a tree surgeon. Climbing in itself requires stamina, add to that the weight of equipment you’re wearing and bringing up. Those tree limbs and logs are heavy, and you have to be able to push them off.
There are also times when the weather isn’t cooperative to say the least, making climbing even riskier. Tree surgeons like those in Rochester Trees are prepared to face working in slippery or icy conditions.
Tree surgeons need patience
Becoming a tree surgeon is a process. Just like wearing a white coat doesn’t automatically make someone a physician, would-be tree doctors don’t just don the gear and start climbing. Observing and learning from experienced veterans is part of the experience. Then come years of practice. This is known as working the ground up.
Becoming a ground man and spotter first helps a would-be tree specialist appreciate what those climbers can do. And respect goes both ways. The tree surgeon who climbs up has full trust on his ground men to catch the branch, spot problems, and ensure his safety. They also perform the all-important cleanup tasks, such as chipping and hauling.
Tree surgeons always put safety first
Appreciating the equipment also keeps tree doctors on point. Aside from the safety gear, sharp tools like power saws and loppers are to be respected to the highest degree. There are rules in handling these, and breaking them will almost always result in an accident.
For example, a chainsaw might get pinched or it might hit something it shouldn’t, causing kickback. Kickback is when the saw makes an upward motion that endangers the head or face of the handler.
Although a tree doctor knows not to make this mistake, he will always be doubly prepared for the worst. Rochester Trees equips their workers with hard hats with integrated face screens. This safety helmet also protects the tree surgeon from chips, debris, or insects. It comes with hearing protection, too.
You need to be brave and responsible
This job is not for mere thrill seekers, nor for the faint of heart. Tree doctors know that the job includes a lot of responsibility and safety-consciousness.
The view from the top is amazing, and scary. While some may find the idea of heights exhilarating, it’s not as simple when you’re carrying sharp, heavy objects that can slice off your own limbs in a few seconds.
Tree surgeons have a heart for the job and the environment
Aside from the head knowledge and physical skills required, tree specialists hold a passion for trees and the environment. The lure of income and thrills aside, one has to be able to love his job in order to develop this career.
Tree surgeons are literal tree huggers. There are times when their lives depend on being able to be attached to a tree (with a rope of course). But it’s not all romance when you get cuts and scrapes from branches and chips.
One thing tree surgeons understand is the value of trees to everyone. They don’t just give us oxygen like what they taught us in grade school, they help conserve energy, prevent home and environmental damage, promote calmness among people and animals, increase property value, and provide resources such as food and wood as well.
The work of a tree surgeon involves hard manual labor, but knowing that you’re doing something good for everyone every single day makes it worth it.
Where can I find a qualified tree surgeon near me?
Rochester Trees has tree surgeons that are experienced and certified. You can count on our tree specialists who uphold high standards in safety and tree care.
If you’re the typical DIY hobbyist, we advise you to stay on the ground and hire a professional local tree doctor who knows what he’s doing and is certified, insured, and have years of experience.
Did you know that one of the major problems a tree surgeon faces is correcting mistakes made by unqualified professionals? Not only do property owners try and “do their thing”, but there are some companies that don’t really have the right personnel for the job. The result is botched work and stressed out trees that create more headaches in the long run. Not to mention repair costs to property damaged by careless work.
Save yourself the time, money, and great risk by entrusting your tree work to Rochester Trees’ qualified tree surgeons. We listen to your needs and provide free in-home estimates. For a quote, call our tree surgeons at (248) 290-6343 today.
Talk To A Human
You’re not going to hit a ridiculously long phone menu when you call us. Your email isn’t going to the inbox abyss, never to be seen or heard from again. With Rochester Trees, we provide the exceptional service we’d want to experience ourselves!
Rochester Trees
(248) 290-6343
