Hiring someone to maintain your garden might seem straightforward, but when it comes to trees, calling in the right specialist is essential. Understanding the difference between a general gardener and a qualified tree surgeon could be the key to protecting your landscape, your property, and your safety. Here's why the distinction matters more than you might think.
Understanding the Difference Between Tree Surgeons and Gardeners
What Does a General Gardener Do?
General gardeners play a vital role in keeping outdoor spaces well-kept and healthy. Their work typically focuses on the overall care and presentation of gardens, including tasks like planting, pruning, weeding, lawn care, and soil improvement.
They’re highly knowledgeable about plants and flowers, using techniques such as seed sowing, propagation, and seasonal planting. Gardeners also manage soil health by applying fertilisers, checking pH levels, and improving drainage. Pruning smaller shrubs and maintaining ornamental plants is part of their role too—but only up to a certain level.
What they’re not equipped for is advanced tree work. Dealing with large trees or complex pruning, especially at height or near structures, falls outside the scope of a gardener’s expertise and equipment.
What Does a Tree Surgeon (Arborist) Do?
Tree surgeons are trained professionals who specialise in the care, maintenance, and safe removal of trees. Their knowledge goes well beyond general plant care, focusing on tree biology, structural integrity, and safety.
Core responsibilities include:
- Advanced pruning: Techniques like crown thinning, deadwooding, and crown lifting help maintain tree health and safety.
- Tree removal: Whether due to disease, storm damage, or safety concerns, tree surgeons are equipped to remove trees safely and efficiently.
- Health assessments: Arborists can identify early signs of disease, pests, or instability that may go unnoticed to the untrained eye.
- Specialist training: They’re qualified in arboriculture and follow industry standards for working at height and with dangerous equipment.
Most importantly, tree surgeons follow strict safety protocols. From climbing harnesses to chainsaws and elevated platforms, they’re trained to carry out risky tasks without endangering people or property.
Why Proper Tree Care Requires a Specialist
Incorrect or careless tree pruning can have long-term consequences. Bad cuts may invite rot, disease, or unstable regrowth. In some cases, poorly executed work can weaken the tree to the point where it becomes hazardous.
On the other hand, strategic pruning in a tree's early years helps it develop a strong structure and reduces the likelihood of costly issues later on. Tree surgeons also understand how to care for mature trees without compromising their stability or damaging nearby areas.
Tree care often involves significant safety risks too. Falling branches, chainsaw operation, and working at height demand proper training. This makes professional oversight not just wise, but necessary.
When to Call a Tree Surgeon vs a Gardener
Call a tree surgeon if you need:
- Pruning or removal of large or tall trees
- Help assessing a diseased or unstable tree
- Work carried out near power lines or buildings
- Advanced care like bracing, cabling, or crown reduction
Call a gardener if you need:
- Regular garden maintenance like weeding and planting
- Lawn mowing and fertilising
- Soil preparation and composting
- Light pruning of small shrubs or ornamental trees
By choosing the right expert for each task, you not only ensure better outcomes but also safeguard your landscape and avoid unnecessary risk.
Need expert tree care in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, or St Albans?
Hertfordshire Trees provides professional tree surgery and arboricultural services with a focus on safety, long-term health, and beautiful results. Call us on 07775 743861 or fill out our contact form to book your tree consultation today.
