Common Arborist Equipment & Tools: An Overview of the Essentials

1. Personal Protective Equipment

Before arborists operate any heavy machinery, it’s imported they are kitted up with clothing items and personal (PPE) equipment that offers safety, protection, and comfort.

From the head down, the key PPE items are below.

• Helmets
• Eye protection devices like goggles
• Ear protection plugs or muffs
• Gloves to protect your hands
• Chainsaw-resistant trousers or chaps
• Communication tools like radios.

2. A Harness or Climbing Saddle

Arborists also require a range of setups and tools for climbing trees and moving within tree canopies. One key tool is the climbing harness or saddle.

A good harness or saddle will safely and securely attach the wearer to ropes and other tree-climbing devices. It should also be comfortable and supportive, without the wearer experiencing chafing, pinching, or squeezing.

3. More Arborist Climbing Gear, Including Ropes

In addition to a climbing harness or saddle, a number of tools are needed for safe and efficient movement up and within trees. High-quality climbing ropes are central to this operation.

All tree climbing ropes are static, not dynamic, to avoid bounce and allow for controlled movement. This aside, they offer a lot of variety, from materials and level of stretch to the colours available.

Here are some of the qualities we look for in a good climbing rope.

• A double braid (or kernmantle) structure, with a separate core and cover.
• A firm core, ideally made from nylon, and a soft grip cover, ideally made from polyester. These provide balance for knotting and climbing.
• A high strength and low stretch finish.

4. Carabiners, Snap Hooks, and Lanyards

An arborist’s climbing toolkit is rounded out by a number of smaller but very helpful items, including the below.

Lots of carabiners – ideally with self-locking safety gates and easy opening and closing mechanisms.
Snap hooks, used for securing and suspending items.
Positioning lanyards, used for attachment and staying in place.
Flip lines, a type of positioning lanyard with a steel wire core that also facilitates easier movement.
Ascenders, usually mechanical, which also facilitate easy movement and weight bearing.

5. Rigging Systems

In addition to climbing trees, arborists perform a range of tasks, including cutting and removing tree limbs. This work needs to be done safely and efficiently in order to minimise the risk of accidents and damage, either to people or property.

A good rigging system with the below items is essential.

• Slings that hold branches in place and stop falling pieces.
• Pulleys and blocks that facilitate the safe movement of heavy loads.
• Winches that give arborists control over rope tension.

6. Chainsaws and Pruners

Finally, arborists require a range of saws and other machinery to cut tree branches, fell trees, and maintain and shape a tree’s structure and foliage. There will be a number of factors to consider, including the power source for mechanical tools, their weight and ease of use, and their length and overall style.

The two key tools in this category are chainsaws and pruners.

Chainsaws are particularly useful for cutting large branches, felling trees, and other tasks that don’t require extreme precision.
Hand pruners, including bypass pruners and anvil shears, facilitate efficient and precise cutting, generally for smaller-scale tasks.
Pole pruners or pole saws allow arborists to reach high limbs and branches while staying on the ground. They feature long-reach poles, usually made from fibreglass or wood, and saws or cutting heads for lopping off branches.