arborist

American

[ahr-ber-ist] / ˈɑr bər ɪst /

noun

a specialist in the cultivation and care of trees and shrubs, including tree surgery, the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tree diseases, and the control of pests.

arborist British

/ ˈɑːbərɪst /

noun

a specialist in the cultivation of trees

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of arborist

First recorded in 1570–80; arbor ³ + -ist

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Anyone can call themselves an arborist, but certified arborists must meet educational requirements set by the ISA.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

Some states have their own arborist certifications as well.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

The Argyle Street Ash was then put forward by David Treanor - an arborist from Glasgow who has been managing the tree in recent years.

From BBC • Sep. 25, 2025

And he must commission arborist reports and pay for contractor training, which he’s estimating will cost another $4,000.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 16, 2025

Mind you, an arborist is a great friend to trees.

From "Wishtree" by Katherine Applegate

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023