Do You Have the Personal Qualities Needed to be a Tree Surgeon? - The DTE Academy

Different characteristics are required to thrive in different jobs. Engineers, for instance, must have rock-solid math skills and a detail-orientated personality else their career will likely flounder. So it is with Tree Surgeons. Many people are interested in the profession but not everyone has the personal qualities needed to be a Tree Surgeon. Below, we'll go into just what those qualities are.

8 Personal Qualities Needed to be a Tree Surgeon

Here are 4 key qualities you’ll need if you hope to become a Tree Surgeon yourself.

Love of the environment - As a Tree Surgeon you will spend your days amidst the splendour of nature. But as wonderful as that sounds the downside of life in the trees - bugs, temperature extremes, rain, aggressive squirrels etc - can wear on some people. You need to be a true nature lover to be a successful Tree Surgeon and that means taking the bad with the good.

Physical fitness - As the title implies a Tree Surgeon spends a lot of time climbing and descending trees. This is not a job for people who are in less than optimal physical condition. You should keep in mind too that occasions may arise when you are called upon to perform an aerial rescue of another Tree Surgeon, in which case your physical fitness will be of paramount importance.

No fear of heights - The idea of working at height while dangling from a rope is different from the reality of working at height dangling from a rope. Many people think they'll be okay with it until they find themselves 30 feet off the ground and realise they are not. Fear of heights is the single most common reason people abandon their plans to become a Tree Surgeon.

Familiarity with maps and architectural drawings - Many projects require the Tree Surgeon to read maps or understand architectural drawings. And not just street maps, but topographical maps that indicate elevation changes and other geographical features. Of course, this can be learned, but you must have an interest in it to absorb the information properly.

A Flexible Approach to Work - Of all the personal qualities needed to be a tree surgeon, this is perhaps the most important. If you are unable to adopt a flexible approach to your work, you may find the day-to-day life of a qualified arborist rather stressful. Not knowing exactly what you are going to be required to do on any given day is great if you love tackling new challenges and are willing to adapt to your environment but if you prefer a more ordered working life, tree surgery may not be the best profession for you.

Good Interpersonal Skills - As a qualified tree surgeon, you will be expected to communicate with clients on a daily basis, which means you must possess excellent interpersonal skills and genuinely enjoy talking to people during the course of each working day. If you are the kind of person who thrives on daily interactions with others, life as a tree surgeon could be very enjoyable. On the other hand, if you are not a ‘people person’, it might be better to pursue other job opportunities.

The Ability to Work Well in a Team - Although you may often be working alone, you are likely to spend just as much time working as a member of a team if you decide to become a tree surgeon. This is especially the case for tree surgeons who join large firms that focus on serving commercial clients. Your ability to fit in with others and to work well as part of a team will play a big part in deciding how far you are able to go in your new career.

Good Problem Solving Skills - A good tree surgery training course will furnish you with the skills required to tackle all manner of arboricultural tasks. What it cannot do, however, is teach you how to be a good problem solver. In order to succeed, you will need to hone your problem solving skills over time if you are lacking in this area. The skills you learn will help you to formulate effective solutions but patience and a methodical approach will also be required.

To learn more about becoming a Tree Surgeon call DTE on 01959 524 623, or write to us at enquiries@dtetrees.co.uk.