People who cut down trees go by various names, but the most correct name they go by is Arborist.

People who cut down trees are called Arborists. They also go by the names tree surgeon or tree doctor. Arborists also perform a host of other tasks other than cutting down trees such as tree trimming, risk assessments, tree inspections, and arborist reports.

To find someone who cuts down trees near you is as easy as searching for “tree services + your city”.

person who cuts down trees is an arborist

Maximum fines for illegal tree removal

This is something that also varies from state to state, but on average the maximum fine for illegal tree removal1 is $10,000 per offense. You can multiply that number by 10 if you live in some California cities. In 2016 Rudolph Koppl was fined $212,500 for removing trees from his property without a permit in Woodside, CA.

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Hiring someone to cut down your tree

There is a lot to look out for when hiring a local arborist. There are a lot of fly-by-night companies that have no insurance and little skill.

Some things you need to ask your arborist for are:

  • Proof of certification
  • Public liability insurance
  • License to remove trees in your city

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What are tree cutters called?

A tree cutter is just another way of describing an arborist. Arborists have studied arboriculture and are licensed to perform tree trimming and removal in each state and city where they carry the correct credentials.

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Cost o cut down tree

The average cost to cut down a tree is $1,420. This price will vary depending on several factors such as the city you live in, the company you use, the time of year you get the work done, as well as the obvious factors like tree size and accessibility. 

What about a person who trims trees?

A person who trims trees is also an arborist. As mentioned, arborists are trained in the trimming and removal of trees in confined spaces. This includes trimming trees overhanging homes, and power lines.

Other names for people who cut down trees

An arborist is a correct name, but not everyone knows this term and some of the more common names are:

People who cut down trees prefer to go by the name arborist. Calling them a “woodcutter” or “lumberjack” is like calling a chef a “cook” or a mechanic a “grease monkey”.

Do arborist cut down trees in the forest?

Yes and no. Most arborists, 95%, or more run suburban tree service companies that trim and cut down trees in residents’ yards. Logging is a different profession although the two share the same skills.

1 Sources

1 Source

  1. U.S. Forest Service, (2022) Know Before You Go: Tree Cutting. <https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/tree-cutting> Accessed: 08-02-2024
Ben McInerney
Author: Ben McInerney - Ben is a qualified arborist with 15 plus years of industry experience in Arboriculture. He ran a successful tree service before turning to writing and publishing. Ben is dedicated to providing users with the most accurate up-to-date information on everything trees.