Tree Worker
What the work is
Maintains and cares for individual trees and shrubs in urban environments by pruning and shaping branches, treating for pests and disease, removing dead or decaying trees, and advising on general tree care. Often employs specialist skills, including aerial access of the tree using rope access or elevated work platforms.
Would you enjoy the work?
These are the main tasks in the official description. Mark how each one sounds to you.
- Prunes and shapes branches of trees and shrubs to maintain their health and appearance
- Treats trees and shrubs for pests and diseases
- Removes dead or decaying trees to ensure safety and prevent potential hazards
- Provides advice on general tree care to clients
- Utilises skills such as aerial access using ropes or elevated work platforms, to prune, shape or remove trees
- Performs tree risk assessments
- Maintains and operates equipment and tools used in tree care, such as chainsaws and pruning shears
Try it
A simulation and a case study from this kind of work, set in a tree care company working in suburban streets, parks and backyards in a fictional coastal town. They are fictional.
The kind of days you could have
Good days
- You climb into the canopy at sunrise and see the whole neighbourhood from above
- A big old tree is saved because you found a way to prune it that kept it healthy
- A crew works in perfect sync, with ropes, chipper and ground team all in time
Hard days
- A tree that is leaning on a house after a storm and a dozen people watching the job
- A customer who wants a healthy tree gone for a view, and will not accept your advice
- Hot, heavy work and the constant care needed when you are up high with a saw
Written by Career Calling as a general guide. Real roles vary by employer and place.
Work a mission
Step into a simulated workplace in this field, with a brief from your manager.
Description and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, 2024, Version 1.0 (opens another site), occupation 342232, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. The skill guide above is our plain English summary.