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Colorful hard hats

Urban Forestry

Urban forestry professionals plant, maintain, and protect trees in city environments, improving public spaces and supporting ecological resilience. They assess tree health, prune properly, manage pests, and enhance landscapes for municipal, commercial, and residential settings. Entry-level roles offer family-supporting wages, with opportunities in parks and forestry departments, private tree care companies, utility vegetation management crews, and environmental field service organizations.

With experience, individuals can move into operations or project management, specialize as forestry experts or urban planning advisors, or pursue further education for advanced roles in consulting, environmental management, or urban planning.

Person working with a tree

Explore Career Tracks

  1. Arborist Grounds Person
  • Performs physical tasks to support tree care and maintenance
  • They work with tree climbers and other crew members to ensure tasks are completed safely and efficiently
  1. Arborist (Tree Climber)
  • Focuses on tree climbing, pruning, and proper removal, working aloft by climbing or in bucket trucks
  1. Urban Forest Technician
  • Manages tree planting, pest control, and general maintenance
  1. Tree Health Specialist / Plant Health Care Technician
  • Diagnoses and treats tree diseases and pest infestations
  1. Crew Leader
  • Oversees teams and ensures safety and efficiency

Career at a Glance

Starting Requirements

- High school diploma or GED

- Valid driver’s license with a good driving record

- Physical fitness for outdoor work

- At least 18-years-old

- Interest in working outdoors

- Ability to pass a physical fitness test and other pre-employment screenings

Length of Training

- Arborist Certified Pre-Apprenticeship: 12 weeks of classroom instruction and on-the-job training

- Arborist Apprenticeship: 3.5 years of combined on-the-job training and formal instruction

Training Providers

  1. Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC)
  2. Gateway Technical College 
  3. City of Milwaukee (Youth Arborist Apprenticeship & Arborist Apprenticeship) (Paid)
  4. Milwaukee Community Service Corps (MCSC) (Arborist Certified Pre-Apprenticeship) (Paid)

  5. On-the-Job Training at Private Tree Care Companies (Paid)

Example Employers:

  1. City of Milwaukee
  2. Milwaukee County Parks
  3. Hoppe Tree Service
  4. Wachtel Tree Science
  5. Dorshak Tree Specialist
  6. Crawford Tree & Landscape Services

Wage Progression:

Entry-Level Position:

  • After 1 year: $45,130 – $57,371 per year

Mid-Level Position:

  • Average overall: $60,157 – $78,078 per year

Experienced Level:

  • Average overall: $79,000 - $101,664 per year