History & Inspiration
Urban tree care as we know it today, really gained popularity in the 18th century, with landscape architects such as Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. These architects used trees to frame the landscape and produce immense vistas on an enormous scale. It was thanks to their vision that we have such immense stately trees such as 300 year old Cedars standing in harmony with stately homes of a similar age. Their vision influenced the Victorian plantings that we are benefiting from in their over maturity today. A celebration of nature tamed for our benefit - Amenity trees; using nature in its natural form to soften the harsh edges and straight lines of brick and stone buildings.

Benefits Of Urban Trees
This is still the main objective of Arboricultural practice today; using trees, mostly in their natural form, via planting plans, pruning and felling, to produce an environment a little less harsh than the past industrial scenes. However, it is now known just how important urban trees are to the quality of life in urban environments. They trap in their leaves and bark, dust and particulate pollution from the air, until it is rinsed through by the rain. They buffer against winds and dampen sound, they provide shade, colour, fruit and scents throughout the seasons. They are central to inner city ecosystems down to the smallest micro-organisms, an ecosystem that we are a part of. And, of course, they are great to look at and be amongst - Large wide spreading cathedral like structures, sanctuaries for the soul. A place to commune with the spirit of nature. Tall trees in a harsh urban environment, an ultimate symbol of defiance to gravity; "Look at me - an awesome tree" in empathy with our own daily battles for success and survival. The psychological benefits of trees should not be underestimated.

Managing Urban Trees
In fact, trees appear so successful at surviving in the urban environment that they appear capable of looking after themselves. And this is largely true, but it is an illusion. For what is not often seen to the untrained eye, are the hidden defects and diseases that spell potential disaster and possible death. To themselves and people! Trees are inherently heavy objects, 30 tonnes not being uncommon, and much of that is very high up and falls very much more heavily, should the structure fail. Trees have their own survival strategies based on their evolutionary survival as groups. The importance of the individual is sacrificed for the dynamics of the woodland and its ecosystem. In such a wild environment, trees do not need help from humans. If an individual tree loses its top, no material damage will be caused, and it will sprout another. However, in an urban environment, trees take on new important individual roles for our benefit. And if they fail, damage and grief can ensue. Urban trees are orphans of the forest, and need looking after to prolong their existence. In an urban environment, a tree has to be assessed for its health, hazards, amenity and ecological value, none being more important than the tree's structural stability. This presents management challenges, because trees affect and mean so many different things to so many people, that not everyone can be pleased! We benefit from extending their usefulness by felling and replanting (maybe with a smaller, larger or more suitable species), or by pruning and supporting specimens of such size and importance, that to lose them would be an irreplaceable loss for maybe 1,2 or 300 years.

The Value Of 'Veteran Trees'
Some trees are considered 'Veteran Trees'; trees of interest and importance either biologically, aesthetically or culturally because of their age. Many take on a mythical appearance, with immense girth and small twisted crowns, and are a marvel to look at as much as appreciate for any other importance. Britain is unique in the amount of veteran trees it has. Some of these are thousands of years old and really should be classed as listed buildings, as they are totally irreplaceable for several generations. These trees require extra special management, often excluding public access, because safety cannot be guaranteed to visitors without killing the tree.

Tree Care: A Sience, Philosophy & Art
Over the past 30 years, the science, philosophy and art of arboriculture has seen many changes for the better, and remains very dynamic. Research into tree biology by Dr Alex Shigo and tree bio-mechanics by Dr Claus Mattheck, has brought about new pruning concepts and management strategies to urban trees. Organisations such as The Tree Advice Trust, offer laboratory services for disease diagnosis, and disseminate information on the latest research. They also forward tree damage alerts about prevalent tree diseases.

Alongside this development in tree knowledge, new tree climbing equipment and techniques for pruning trees without damaging them, has also developed. There is no longer any justification for climbing trees with spurs, or for damaging bark excessively with ropes. New non-invasive bracing systems, allows some defective trees to be safely retained. New rigging equipment enables arborists to dismantle trees safely in confined spaces.

Arborist Education & Training
Other specialised equipment enables stumps to be ground out for replanting, and branches to be chipped for mulch to keep weeds down. Beneficial root fungi can be inoculated into the rooting soil by specialist machines that also de-compact the soil, allowing oxygen and nutrients to the roots in an otherwise inhospitable environment. Elevating work platforms occasionally allow easier access into some trees, and cranes enable monster trees with serious defects to be dismantled relatively quickly and easily.

However, it is still the climbing arborist that has more effect on the urban tree landscape than any other. It is the arborist's climbing skills and tree knowledge that enables trees to be pruned with sensitivity, or dismantled carefully. Without the knowledgable climbing arborist, dangerous, short lived and ugly trees will be increasingly common, and the urban treescape (not to mention the quality of our lives!) would face a bleak future. Butchered trees will become common along with the hazards they harbour; improper pruning can be like ignorant DIY to a retaining wall - it seems successful until the house partly collapses a few years later! The trouble with mature trees is they cannot be replaced in 6months - not even 50 years! A good arborist must consider all the benefits (sentimental and emotional included!), costs and risks associated with managing each tree, and then find a safe way for themselves (or one in their care) to undertake the task without damaging the tree.

The Risk, Costs And Benefits Of Tree Work

The Climbing Arborist
Finding a skilful, responsible and knowledgable climbing arborist is becoming increasingly more difficult for employers and the public alike. And yet, even with all the advances in the field of Arboriculture, it is hardly surprising. To become a credible climbing arborist, would take at least one year in full time further or higher education, or equivalent self study route. Then additional specialised training in accordance with AFAG practice guides. Following this, basic chainsaw and climbing skills need to be assessed under the NPTC scheme. This will allow for safe work in trees up to 50ft/15metre high. But this doesn't teach an arborist how to prune properly, or work efficiently. On top of this, a minimum of 3 years supervised practice would be required to undertake typical pruning and dismantling tasks safely, efficiently and to a high standard. In addition, expensive equipment must be purchased and replaced on a regular basis, and strict Health and Safety regulations followed. This is only the tip of the ice berg in terms of skills training. Mature trees over 50 feet in height will require specialised training in more efficient techniques and equipment, especially if muscular-skeletal injury is to be avoided. Acquiring the relevant experience is hazardous and extremely physically demanding. The HSE suggests that the odds of serious injury, disability or death for climbing arborists is worse than 1 in 120 every year. Mathematicians put those odds around the 'probability' bracket! It is certainly the most hazardous on shore occupation.

Being A Climbing Arborist: A True Vocation
But apart from the obvious dangers of committing to heights with a single, questionable anchor point, textile ropes, chainsaws and swinging timber, nothing is mentioned of the health implications of repetitive tree climbing in successive years. A time served arborist (5 years) can expect to have to deal with serious muscular-skeletal injury, which could involve hip replacements well before retirement age. This need not be the case if bio-mechanically efficient techniques and equipment are used, and a disciplined exercise programme is undertaken. Complete fitness involves strength, flexibility and cardio-vascular training in a personalised and balanced programme. Compensatory exercise MUST be undertaken regularly if climbing arborists are to avoid a later life of poor posture and pain. This doesn't mean being a yoga expert or tri-athlete. A good sports therapist or remedial rehabilitation trainer should be able to organise a preventative programme or put things right. Employees should be medically screened prior to employment to identify pre-employment posture/health problems, and be regularly checked for muscular-skeletal injury during employment.

All of the above shows why good Arborists are few and far between - It is an immense commitment to a way of life - a true vocation. And yet, for all this expense and commitment, the public are still generally ignorant about what a tree is, how it is supposed to function, and its values. So they are unlikely to see the justification of a skilled Arborist's service charge. But with typical profit margins of 10%, low turnovers, the costs of meeting Health and Safety regulations (equipment and training) and extremely expensive insurance policies, a low level basic climber can only expect to earn just above the minimum wage. A time served high climber between 7 and 10 an hour. Because of regulations, ethics and common sense, Arborists come in pairs; if an arborist should have an accident, only the skills of another Arborist is going to be able to recover them. The hard working arborist takes little pay for a lot of risk, and many good Arborists are going out of business.

Supporting A Good Arborist: A just Cause
So why do some aborists perservere? Well, it isn't all bad! It is an occupation that presents a constant challenge. It is a good medium for personal development. It is a way of working with nature that nourishes the body and the soul. It is a job that must be done for the benefit of ourselves, the urban population and the next generations (remember Capability Brown?). It is doing our bit for the environment in the ultimate arena. Its accepting death as a risk for the freedom to live and work amongst the top echelons of nature, whilst only a short walk from the amenities of town at lunch time. It's a passport to work in the world's greatest cities and quietest towns, making lasting international friendships, whilst becoming immersed in another language and culture. It's about learning how to make life threatening decisions for yourself and others, developing strong bonds with team mates. It's about testing your mettle, learning about yourself whilst learning about trees and their ecosystems. It's about seeing a bigger picture of life. It's about eating life with a big spoon, whilst taking the time to discern the flavours, appreciating the sweets with the sours

All things considered, what price could be charged for putting a life on the line for a tree? How do we as a paying public justify that? Well its quite simple, trees are just as important as gas that people risk their lives for off shore - it's unfortunate for arborists that the renumeration doesn't compare. How much do you think the real estate value of central park is in New York city? Trees are obviously worth more than that, because they're still there. So imagine my disbelief to see trees improperly pruned under a local authority contract on the boundary of a National Park - its not only the general public that are ignorant of proper tree care. But if the public don't complain about poor tree care, then little will change.

It is unfortunate for everyone that the general public and some local authorities seem unconcerned with tree values. That is until they are all gone or disfigured, and a return of the wretched air and miserable sights of a past industrial age returns. Would you want to live in an environment without trees?

If you require advice on tree care, arborist training or avoiding/rehabilitating arborist muscular-skeletal injuries, then please, contact us! We'd be delighted to hear from you!