There’s a lot of different jobs within the banner of gardening. You may be tempted to dismiss one over another, or perhaps lump one into a category that is actually different. In fact, to the average person, landscaping, gardening, and arborists all do the same thing. That’s not the case at all. In fact, you’ll find that the job requirements that come with each solution could very well change how you see the work and options overall. If you’re not sure what the main differences are, you’re not alone. The following is going to highlight what the differences are, and why you need to have one over the other in certain situations.

A Look At Landscaping First

Before moving into the main differences, first consider what a landscaper does. Experts in this arena will not just work on your lawn, they’ll create visual design flow with plants, and more. They work on soil aeration, planting, pruning, and much more. They work on the exterior of your home, wherever there’s plants and soil. They can create projects that are visually appealing, they can work with basic options like lawncare, and they can creatively sculpt your home’s greener areas. Landscaping is a job that takes on a lot of different elements, and there’s no “one” thing that they do. They can help with a lot of different things, and can take a barren lawn and turn into a magical area. This differs from arborists in a lot of ways, including the discipline that they have overall.

Taking Care of Trees

At the fundamental definition of what arborists do, you’ll find that they work with trees. They don’t just “work” with them, but rather they are experts dealing with trees. Both small and large, and beyond what you would expect a landscaper to cover. Landscapers can plant, prune, water, and work with tree growth, and more. However, when things aren’t going well, despite their best efforts, arborists are called in because they deal with a lot more than just the basics.

The Science of Tree Care

When you call in a professional to help you with your trees, you’ll find that they can take a look at the biology and actual pieces of the tree. They test for health in a variety of ways, and do more than just a visual inspection. They can consider bark, leaves, coloring, smells, sap, and a lot more. They can also rehab a tree that has been doing badly and bring it back to health. They also can determine whether or not a tree is dead, or if it needs help with health care. They are doctors to trees in some cases, but they can also help with practical solutions.

For Removal and Beyond

Aside from the science and care of trees, arborists are able to help with tree removal, pruning large branches, and even grinding stumps. They focus on health first and foremost, but when that’s not going to be possible, they can turn their business into helping with removal and more. It’s not recommended that homeowners and individuals work with DIY here. Getting rid of a tree takes on a lot of work, especially when it comes to pull out a stump from the ground. This is a difficult thing to move forward with, and could actually cause a great deal of stress. The weight of the roots and stump alone could cause damage to the ground, and that’s just one of the things that could go wrong.

Can A Landscaper Do What Arborists Do?

The short answer is yes, but the long answer is no. Why the dichotomy? Well, the thing is landscapers and do a lot of what arborists do topically. For instance, they can work with small trees, shrubs, and even plant larger options. They can also help with minor maintenance, weeding, feeding, and more. These are all basics that can be done with care, but they are not usually certified in the science that arborists deal with. They may not be able to identify specific fungus or other diseases that can affect the trees that you have in place. Because of this, you should really consider hiring a professional when you need help with your trees.

Hiring an arborist can help determine whether or not you need to remove, heal, or feed your tree specific elements. Arborists spend their lives studying, and learning about trees and how to care for them. They are specialists in trees, while landscapers work with more of a visual design flow of your lawn. That’s the big difference.