Very basic questions

[Ant in Pyjamas]

Hello,

Soon I will start an internship (with job offer if it goes well) in an Arborist company. But I will not be climbing trees. My functions will be to work with the GIS program that map the trees location and status (desk job), go on Site and analyse the tree for diseases or any kind of malfunction/security issues, etc. Pretty much here in Germany is called "Baumkontrolleur" (Tree control) while someone that climbs trees is called "Baumpfleger" (Tree nurse, Arborist).

Basic Questions:

- I need to know what are the typical jobs that I can expect to be done by an Arborist during Autumn. So when I start on my first week I dont get caught by surprise.

- Am I supposed to know every single species of Tree and their diseases associated by heart? ...Or as a "new guy" it is alright if I sometimes mix one tree with another (because they look very similar) or temporarily dont remember certain name or disease. Sometimes I mix up species.

- Any tips for someone without experience like me to improve?

For Info: I'm a B.Sc. Landscape Architect that during my Master I went through the Regional Planning and Nature Conservation path, then I started going more and more specific into Trees only. Now Im on the verge of getting my Certificate but I've no experience, only theory... and so I've this basic questions.

Thank you!!

 

[rarefish383]

I would carry a pocket ID book. My thought is it's better to check and get it correct, than guess and get it wrong. You can't know everything at start up. Any new job you are leaving your comfort zone. Every morning, take a deep breath, walk into the office, and go to work, you'll find out what you need to do. In a week, you won't need the deep breath anymore, Joe.

 

[Ant in Pyjamas]

I've a few books, yes. Also I improve my weakness in a daily basis. Thank you for the tips!

 

[jefflovstrom]

Hello,

Soon I will start an internship (with job offer if it goes well) in an Arborist company. But I will not be climbing trees. My functions will be to work with the GIS program that map the trees location and status (desk job), go on Site and analyse the tree for diseases or any kind of malfunction/security issues, etc. Pretty much here in Germany is called "Baumkontrolleur" (Tree control) while someone that climbs trees is called "Baumpfleger" (Tree nurse, Arborist).

Basic Questions:

- I need to know what are the typical jobs that I can expect to be done by an Arborist during Autumn. So when I start on my first week I dont get caught by surprise.

- Am I supposed to know every single species of Tree and their diseases associated by heart? ...Or as a "new guy" it is alright if I sometimes mix one tree with another (because they look very similar) or temporarily dont remember certain name or disease. Sometimes I mix up species.

- Any tips for someone without experience like me to improve?

For Info: I'm a B.Sc. Landscape Architect that during my Master I went through the Regional Planning and Nature Conservation path, then I started going more and more specific into Trees only. Now Im on the verge of getting my Certificate but I've no experience, only theory... and so I've this basic questions.

Thank you!!

I would think you would learn all that during your internship,,,,
Jeff

 

[pdqdl]

Yes, all trees must be positively identified, along with any notable faults & signs of disease. I guess it goes without saying that pictures & GIS coordinates will be recorded.

If you don't know a tree, a disease, or have some other issue? NO PROBLEM. This is a system you are creating, and it will get reviewed and modified with time. If identification is absent, just record the tree, some identifying characteristics, and just plan on coming back for a better answer in the future. This will be true for all your observations, so it is better to make good notes than it is to be confident in your answers.

I have all kinds of trees that I don't know, and I keep forgetting a lot of the ones I have figured out. Your job will give you lots of practice, so you should get better.

Advice: never pretend that you have all the answers. Document your evidence, admit your mistakes & weaknesses, and do your best to avoid them. Your expertise is not likely to be questioned nearly as often if you don't present yourself as an infallible expert. At some point, your knowledge should exceed most of the folks evaluating your work; until then, just keep plugging along. My customers seldom second guess me, they consistently consider my answers adequate as fact (at least on most "tree related" questions). This is because I tell them the limits of my knowledge, and I always show my documentation and supporting evidence when there is a technical question.

 

[Ant in Pyjamas]

Well, that was a great answer and pretty much what I needed to know. I improved a lot during this past few weeks and I'm doing my best to improve the max I can every day, writting anything and everything needed and taking pictures along the way to research later. Thank you so much!

 

[jefflovstrom]

Well, that was a great answer and pretty much what I needed to know. I improved a lot during this past few weeks and I'm doing my best to improve the max I can every day, writting anything and everything needed and taking pictures along the way to research later. Thank you so much!

LOL
Jeff

 

[Ant in Pyjamas]

Im glad that I amuse you, thanks Jeff! Super!

 

[rarefish383]

Im glad that I amuse you, thanks Jeff! Super!

Sometimes the best advice, is the easiest advice, Joe.