Occupation · SOC 37-3013
Tree Trimmers and Pruners
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.
Median wage
$50,430
$37,660–$78,900
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
47,870
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
9 mapped
Core skills
Operation and ControlOperations MonitoringCritical ThinkingMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingSpeakingInstructingCoordinationService OrientationEquipment SelectionActive ListeningTroubleshootingTime ManagementQuality Control AnalysisManagement of Personnel ResourcesJudgment and Decision MakingEquipment MaintenanceSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionActive LearningWritingPersuasionSystems AnalysisRepairingNegotiationLearning StrategiesSystems EvaluationMathematicsManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesScienceTechnology DesignOperations AnalysisInstallationProgramming
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceMechanicalPublic Safety and SecurityProduction and ProcessingTransportationEducation and TrainingEnglish LanguageLaw and GovernmentAdministration and ManagementPhysicsMathematicsBiologyEconomics and AccountingAdministrativeSales and MarketingGeographyEngineering and TechnologyPersonnel and Human ResourcesPsychologyBuilding and ConstructionComputers and ElectronicsSociology and AnthropologyHistory and ArcheologyTelecommunicationsChemistryDesignForeign LanguageCommunications and MediaMedicine and DentistryPhilosophy and TheologyFine ArtsTherapy and CounselingFood Production
Technology & tools
FacebookMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft Word
Representative tasks
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentPerforming General Physical ActivitiesGetting InformationHandling and Moving ObjectsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsControlling Machines and ProcessesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentTraining and Teaching OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationAssisting and Caring for OthersThinking CreativelyScheduling Work and ActivitiesProcessing InformationDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkCoaching and Developing OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesDeveloping and Building TeamsProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersSelling or Influencing OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational Units
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Shredding and chipping equipment — feed limbs and brush into machines under direct supervisor oversight at a residential or commercial job site.Hand tools including handsaws, clippers, and shears — identify, select, and pass to crew members during ground-level trimming operations.Climbing hooks, belts, and ladders — don and adjust correctly under supervision before gaining access to low-height work areas.Dead and low-hanging branches — recognize and flag for removal while assisting experienced trimmers on routine residential jobs.Ropes and block-and-tackle systems — assist in hoisting tools and lowering cut branches to the ground under crew direction.Chainsaws and power saws — observe safe startup, shutdown, and handling procedures during on-the-job orientation.Tool and equipment cleaning procedures — perform basic cleaning and lubrication of hand tools at the end of each shift following a written checklist.Personal protective equipment — select and wear appropriate PPE including hard hats, gloves, and eye protection before entering any work zone.Verbal instructions from crew leads — receive, confirm understanding of, and carry out ground-crew tasks on active trimming sites.Job site hazards — identify and report obvious ground-level dangers such as uneven terrain, traffic, and falling debris during supervised operations.
developing
Brush chippers and stump chippers — operate and monitor equipment performance during routine residential and light commercial clearing jobs with minimal oversight.Climbing hooks, belts, and boom truck buckets — use routinely to access mid-height canopy work areas and complete assigned trimming tasks independently.Dead, excess, and low-hanging branches — cut away using chainsaws, hooks, and clippers while managing body position and balance in the tree.Tree shape and aesthetics — apply pruning techniques to trim, top, and reshape ornamental trees according to crew lead specifications.Boom trucks, tractors, and power sprayers — operate across a range of standard job types, adjusting controls to match terrain and workload conditions.Tool maintenance schedule — sharpen saw blades, replace worn parts, and lubricate equipment independently after each job cycle.Rope and rigging systems — rig, tension, and lower branches safely during multi-person trimming operations in suburban environments.Branch clearance around power lines — execute line-clearance cuts following utility right-of-way protocols under general crew supervision.Job progress and equipment condition — monitor throughout the workday and communicate anomalies to the crew lead before problems escalate.Crew communication on active sites — relay clear, concise verbal instructions to ground workers while working at elevation in noisy environments.
proficient
Full suite of tree trimming equipment including boom trucks, loaders, and power saws — operate across residential, commercial, and utility right-of-way sites without requiring oversight.Complex canopy work including topping, deadwooding, and crown reduction — plan and execute on mature or structurally compromised trees using sound arboricultural judgment.Power line clearance operations — manage safe branch removal around energized conductors in accordance with applicable utility and safety standards.Non-routine tree conditions such as storm damage, disease, or structural failure — assess, develop a removal or remediation approach, and execute safely.Shredding, chipping, and stump-grinding equipment — troubleshoot mechanical irregularities and perform field-level adjustments to restore operation mid-job.Rigging, ropes, and block-and-tackle systems — configure advanced lowering setups for large or awkward sections in confined urban or suburban spaces.Tool and equipment maintenance program — oversee sharpening, lubrication, and parts replacement schedules across the crew's full tool inventory.Customer and site-specific requirements — interpret work orders, communicate scope and timeline clearly with property owners, and adapt trimming approach to client expectations.Job site safety monitoring — continuously evaluate fall, struck-by, and electrical hazards and apply corrective controls before proceeding with work.New crew members — demonstrate correct climbing technique, equipment operation, and pruning standards through hands-on instruction during live job assignments.
advanced
Crew supervision and field training program — lead multiple trimming crews across concurrent job sites, coaching lower-level employees in safe and efficient arboricultural practices.Organizational safety standards — establish, update, and enforce site safety protocols for climbing, rigging, and power line clearance operations company-wide.Equipment fleet including boom trucks, brush chippers, and stump grinders — direct maintenance scheduling, procurement decisions, and replacement planning to sustain operational readiness.Complex job scoping and bidding — assess site conditions, tree health, and access constraints to develop accurate proposals for large commercial or municipal contracts.Power line clearance compliance framework — interpret and apply utility industry regulations and right-of-way guidelines across all crew operations and client agreements.Workforce development strategy — design structured on-the-job learning pathways and credentialing plans that advance employees from entry-level ground crew to certified climbers.Cross-functional coordination — collaborate with municipal planners, utility representatives, and property managers to schedule and execute large-scale urban tree management programs.Operational efficiency and quality standards — monitor crew productivity metrics and trimming outcomes, introducing process improvements that reduce cost and rework across the organization.Incident investigation and corrective action — lead post-incident reviews following equipment failures or near-miss events and implement systemic controls to prevent recurrence.Customer and stakeholder relationships — represent the organization authoritatively in client consultations and community engagement settings, translating technical arboricultural judgment into accessible guidance.
Also known as
31 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
ArboristBrush Clearing LaborerBucket OperatorBucket Truck OperatorClimberClimber TrimmerClimbing ArboristDiagnosticianGrape PrunerGrounds WorkerGroundsmanGroundspersonLaborerLine Clearance TrimmerLine Clearing Tree TrimmerPlant Health Care TechnicianPrunerSales ArboristTanbark LaborerTimber CutterTree ClimberTree DoctorTree ExpertTree PrunerTree SpecialistTree SurgeonTree TrimmerTree WorkerTrimmerUtility ArboristVine Pruner