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Tree Trimmers and Pruners

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance (37-3013)

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.

At a Glance

Tree Trimmers and Pruners earns a median of $50,430/yr with +3.3% projected growth. Typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent. Top skills: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials, Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment, Microsoft Word.

Median Annual Wage

$50,430/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+3.3%

Annual Openings

7

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Skills & Requirements

Skills (3)

Operation and Control

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

3.8
Operations Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

3.6
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

3.3

Knowledge (2)

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

3.6
Mechanical

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

3.3

Abilities (17)

Control Precision

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

4.0
Reaction Time

The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

3.9
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

3.9
Manual Dexterity

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

3.9
Multilimb Coordination

The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

3.9
Arm-Hand Steadiness

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

3.8
Static Strength

The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

3.8
Extent Flexibility

The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

3.8
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

3.6
Trunk Strength

The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.

3.5
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.5
Dynamic Strength

The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.

3.4
Selective Attention

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

3.4
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

3.3
Gross Body Equilibrium

The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.

3.3
Stamina

The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.

3.3
Far Vision

The ability to see details at a distance.

3.3

Technology (4)

Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Facebook

Category: Web page creation and editing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5

Work Activities (15)

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

4.7
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

4.6
Performing General Physical Activities

Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

4.2
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.1
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

4.0
Handling and Moving Objects

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

4.0
Controlling Machines and Processes

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

3.9
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

3.8
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

3.8
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

3.6
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

3.5
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

3.4
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

3.4
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

3.4
Training and Teaching Others

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

3.3

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

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