What is the difference between a tree lopper and an arborist?

Tree lopper or arborist?

Nobody in the arbor industry likes the term Tree Lopper. However everyone knows what it means and has a general idea what a tree lopper does.

To some in the industry, the word tree lopper describes someone who doesn’t understand the importance of shaping or pruning a tree to help maintain its health.  A tree lopper will often only reduce the height of a tree to what the client wants without taking into account  the health or benefit/non-benefit to the tree. Often, their intentions are good, but they do not have the education and understanding of a university qualified tree surgeon.

They are also often frustrated that almost anyone can be a tree lopper without going through the learning and levels of accreditation required, just so they can say on their website that they are an accredited Level 1,2,3,4, arboriculturist.

It’s a complex situation. You have the public on one hand who  just want a tree removed or reduced in height, and over many years have become accustomed to the term ‘tree lopper’ when considering someone who does this job. 

The funny thing is the term they first came up with is arboriculturist as their defining moniker (which nobody could pronounce, let alone spell). 

Aussies aren’t particular although there is a general bias toward not being called tree loppers. The closest we can get to arboriculturist though is arborist. Which I am sure came about because of the Aussie way of shortening every name. 

ThIS IS not Photo-shopped!

We know these beauties as a Rainbow Gum.

 But actually, it’s more complex than that.  

Scientific name: Eucalyptus deglupta

Order: Myrtales

Kingdom: Plantae