An arborist, tree surgeon, or (less commonly) arboriculturist, is a professional in the practice of arboriculture, which is the cultivation, management, and study of individual trees, shrubs, vines, and other perennial woody plants in dendrology and horticulture.

Alistair Magee is originally from Hartlepool, Teesside. His career began back in 1999 at the age of 16 when he attended Houghall college in Durham for 2 years, achieving a level 4 National Diploma in Arboriculture. During this time he was also working part-time as an apprentice, climbing trees for a local company.

Competent arborists (tree surgeons) will have certificates which show that they have been trained and assessed and they will use safety equipment to protect you, your property and themselves. You must ensure that they have public liability insurance cover.

Tree surgeons work in towns and the countryside, assessing tree health, removing branches, planting new stock and felling unsafe trees.