All About Tree Trimmers and Pruners

Tree Trimmer or Pruner Definition 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.

Daily Life Of a Tree Trimmer or Pruner

• Clear sites, streets, and grounds of woody and herbaceous materials, such as tree stumps and fallen trees and limbs.
• Prune, cut down, fertilize, and spray trees as directed by tree surgeons.
• Climb trees, using climbing hooks and belts, or climb ladders to gain access to work areas.
• Transplant and remove trees and shrubs, and prepare trees for moving.
• Plan and develop budgets for tree work, and estimate the monetary value of trees.
• Operate boom trucks, loaders, stump chippers, brush chippers, tractors, power saws, trucks, sprayers, and other equipment and tools.

Tree Trimmer or Pruner Needed Skills

These are the skills Tree Trimmers and Pruners say are the most useful in their careers:

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Types of Tree Trimmer or Pruner Jobs

• Vine Pruner
• Plant Health Care Technician
• Timber Cutter
• Climber
• Line Clearance Foreman

Is There Going to be Demand for Tree Trimmers and Pruners?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 54,500 jobs in the United States for Tree Trimmers and Pruners.

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.7% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 6,400 new jobs for Tree Trimmers and Pruners by 2026. The BLS estimates 7,500 yearly job openings in this field per year.

The states with the most job growth for Tree Trimmers and Pruners are Texas, California, and Florida.

Watch out if you plan on working in Montana, Idaho, or Delaware. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Average Tree Trimmer or Pruner Salary

Tree Trimmers and Pruners Make between $24,330 and $61,310 a year. A Tree Trimmer or Pruner median salary is $38,190.

How much do Tree Trimmers and Pruners make in different U.S. states?

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
District of Columbia	$60,290
Washington	$55,860
Minnesota	$53,820
New York	$52,170
Illinois	$49,990
Alaska	$49,970
New Jersey	$48,990
Hawaii	$48,470
Montana	$48,240
California	$48,010
Maryland	$47,120
Massachusetts	$46,580
Oregon	$45,850
Delaware	$44,530
Missouri	$43,040
Mississippi	$42,940
Idaho	$42,890
North Dakota	$42,690
Connecticut	$42,410
Rhode Island	$42,280
Virginia	$42,190
Alabama	$42,020
New Hampshire	$41,710
Kansas	$41,400
Iowa	$40,920
Arizona	$40,890
New Mexico	$40,220
Ohio	$39,860
Vermont	$39,560
Louisiana	$37,790
Indiana	$37,750
South Dakota	$37,480
Michigan	$37,450
Wisconsin	$36,640
Maine	$36,630
Nevada	$35,960
Pennsylvania	$35,530
Utah	$35,480
Tennessee	$35,390
Kentucky	$35,230
Nebraska	$35,090
North Carolina	$34,830
West Virginia	$34,270
Colorado	$34,080
Arkansas	$33,420
Texas	$32,630
South Carolina	$31,830
Oklahoma	$30,810
Florida	$30,150
Georgia	$30,020

Tools & Technologies Used by Tree Trimmers and Pruners

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Tree Trimmers and Pruners may use on a daily basis:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Word

How to Become a Tree Trimmer or Pruner

Learn what Tree Trimmer or Pruner education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become Tree Trimmer or Pruner?

Where Tree Trimmers and Pruners Work

Similar Careers

Those interested in being a Tree Trimmer or Pruner may also be interested in:

• Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
• Plasterers and Stucco Masons

Career changers with experience as a Tree Trimmer or Pruner sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

• Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons