A professional who cuts away dead and excess branches from fruit, nut, and shade trees, using handsaws, pruning hooks and shears, and long-handled clippers.

• Applies tar or other protective substances to cut surfaces to seal surfaces against insects.
• May use truck-mounted hydraulic lifts and pruners and power pruners.
• May climb trees, using climbing hooks and belts, or climb ladders to gain access to work area.
• May specialize in pruning fruit trees and be designated Orchard Pruner.
• May prune, cut down, fertilize, and spray trees as directed by tree surgeon and be designated Tree-Surgeon Helper I.