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How to hire a tree specialist

Tree specialist hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring tree specialists in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a tree specialist is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new tree specialist to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a tree specialist, step by step

To hire a tree specialist, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a tree specialist:

Here's a step-by-step tree specialist hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a tree specialist job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new tree specialist
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the tree specialist you need to hire. Certain tree specialist roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A tree specialist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, tree specialists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    This list shows salaries for various types of tree specialists.

    Type of Tree SpecialistDescriptionHourly rate
    Tree SpecialistGrounds maintenance workers ensure that the grounds of houses, businesses, and parks are attractive, orderly, and healthy in order to provide a pleasant outdoor environment. $15-32
    TrimmerTrimmers are responsible for controlling machines to finish preformed plastic parts. They trim the part to shape and form to the size following the model and utilizing a power saw or power grinder... Show more$11-19
    Tree ClimberThe job of a Tree Climber is to skillfully ascend and descend a tall tree while performing a range of duties. Your key role is to train people like researchers and photographers on how to safely climb trees and to assess the canopy of really large trees so as to maintain them... Show more$14-27
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Grinders
    • ANSI
    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Tree Removal
    • Prune
    • Hand Tools
    • Mowing
    • Lawn Care
    • Tree Care
    • Pruners
    • Chain Saws
    • Booms
    Responsibilities:
    • Trim, top, and reshape trees to achieve attractive shapes and to remove low-hanging branches.
    • Conduct research using online federal regulations, review Medicare and Medicaid policy and guidelines to complete an accurate and well-support decision.
    • Administer appropriate tree and shrub fungicide and insecticide controls, discuss site plans for tree and shrub customers.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your tree specialist job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A tree specialist salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, tree specialists' average salary in arkansas is 43% less than in new york.
    • Seniority. Entry-level tree specialists earn 51% less than senior-level tree specialists.
    • Certifications. A tree specialist with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a tree specialist's salary.

    Average tree specialist salary

    $47,499yearly

    $22.84 hourly rate

    Entry-level tree specialist salary
    $33,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 20, 2025
  4. Writing a tree specialist job description

    A tree specialist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a tree specialist job description:

    Tree specialist job description example

    Job DescriptionSalary: $20 - $25/hour, depending on qualifications

    Love to be outside? Looking for work that makes a difference? Want to work somewhere that serves a mission?

    At Tree Trust we focus on transforming lives and landscapes through three divisions: Career Pathways, Community Forestry, and Landscape Services. This position is located in our Landscape Services division which offers professional tree care and landscaping services at market rates with the profits supporting Career Pathways (training for youth and young adults to equip them to achieve family-supporting, skilled trade, green careers to create economic opportunity and equity) and Community Forestry (increasing our urban tree canopy through community and school-based volunteer plantings, municipal tree distributions, and other special forestry initiatives.)

    From simple projects to complex designs, Landscape Services has the experience to complete tree and landscape projects to the highest standards – on time and on budget.

    Our model of work is collaborative – with each other, with our community partners, and with the people we serve.

    What You Will Get from This Role:

    • Excellent benefits package includes Vacation, Sick, 10 paid holidays, 401(k), 3 Health Insurance options, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Voluntary additional life insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Disability, and an FSA
    • Collaborative, supportive, productive yet fun work culture. In a recent employee survey 100% of respondents reported that their "co-workers treated them with respect.”


    Tree Trust actively seeks to build a staff that reflects the diversity of the population and community it serves, and that’s why we strongly encourage people of color to apply.


    We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

    Job Purpose: To provide high-quality, efficient, safe, and timely services for Tree Trust clients, ensuring their satisfaction with our performance.

    Job Summary: This position assists the Tree Care Supervisor in daily operations including commercial and residential property tree care maintenance, quality control, and safety.


    Essential Functions:

    • Daily preparation of trucks, equipment, and inventory.
      • Report on time to prepare and review the work schedule with the Tree Care Supervisor.
      • Load all tools, gasoline, and other necessary equipment/materials. Make sure all equipment is secured safely.
      • Check oil, fluids, tire pressure, proper trailer connection, and all lights are in working order.
    • Follow instruction from supervisor to accurately perform and manage tree care tasks on client’s property including all aspects of tree removal, pruning, etc.
      • Work in conjunction with the Tree Care Supervisor to ensure that work contracted is implemented efficiently and according to contract specifics.
      • Provide labor associated with the maintenance of trees.
      • Perform all tasks of operations including but not limited to: climbing, pruning, inspecting, tree removal, etc.
      • Receive openly all trainings including safety, equipment use, technique, etc.
      • Follow the proper use of safety equipment & personal protective equipment.
      • Address any questions or concerns with clients professionally. Communicate the client’s questions & concerns to the Tree Care Supervisor immediately.
    • Perform end of the day duties.
      • Accurately record hours worked on employee time sheet. Complete all job site reports and inventory all materials used on the job.
      • Review and prepare for the next day’s job.
      • Unload/load equipment & material, clean out truck/trailer by removing trash, debris, etc.
      • Clean, maintain and repair all tools and equipment. Report any damaged or broken equipment to the Tree Care Supervisor.
    • Assist LS Construction and Lawn Maintenance department, as needed.
    • Strictly adhere to Tree Trust’s safety policies and procedures including the ANSI Z133 for Tree Care Operations
    • Other duties as assigned.

    Qualifications/Skills Required:

    • Must be able to pass a criminal background and motor vehicle check.
    • Must be 18 years of age with a valid driver license and a clean driving record as determined by our insurance carrier.
    • Possess or be able to obtain Class A CDL within 90 days of hire.
    • Possess or be able to acquire chemical applicator license with endorsements A, E and J within 90 days of hire.
    • 2 years of experience operating power equipment including aerial lifts, chain saws, skid steers, woodchippers, and stump grinders.
    • Must have the ability to frequently climb, bend, stoop, twist and frequently lift 50 pounds.
    • Must possess a strong work ethic, positive attitude and work well within a team.
    • Must be able to receive work direction and work well under pressure within a fast paced, deadline driven environment.
    • Must be teachable, trainable and project a proactive attitude-always looking for the next way to find solutions.
    • Must have strong communication skills and be an effective listener.
    • Must be reliable, possess a positive attitude and be able to work independently.

    Preferred Qualifications:

    • 1 or more years climbing arborist experience.
    • Climbing experience using ropes and saddle, including working knowledge of knots, and climbing hardware, to perform tree care tasks.
    • Experience using cranes and/or ropes for controlled rigging and removal.
    • ISA certification or ability to obtain credential.

    Work Environment: — Job will require constantly working outdoors in all types of weather conditions and exposure to elements. This can include heavy to moderate noise, extreme proximity to moving equipment or machinery, proximity to electrical energy, exposure to tools and machines used in tree care and landscaping industries.

    Physical demands — Physical demands require constantly moving, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. Frequently ascends/descends trees using climbing rigging to perform work. Frequently operates machinery and will use hands/fingers and legs to operate, activate, use, prepare, inspect, place, detect and position materials. Frequently required to stand and walk, lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Constantly required to communicate with ability to talk and hear.

  5. Post your job

    To find the right tree specialist for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with tree specialists they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit tree specialists who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your tree specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit tree specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit tree specialists, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new tree specialist

    Once you've decided on a perfect tree specialist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a tree specialist?

There are different types of costs for hiring tree specialists. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new tree specialist employee.

You can expect to pay around $47,499 per year for a tree specialist, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for tree specialists in the US typically range between $15 and $32 an hour.

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