Le Khanh Huyen Reporter

Nowadays, as trees face unprecedented challenges such as climate change and urbanization, the role of a tree doctor, or arborist, has become more crucial than ever. On Mar.8, 2024, the Korea Forest Service (KFS) announced the designation of two new tree doctor training institutions in Seoul and Gyeongsangbuk-do regions.

The newly designated tree doctor training institutions are Kookmin University (KMU) Industry Academic Cooperation Foundation and Andong National University (ANU) Industry Academic Cooperation Foundation. With these additional designations, the number of tree doctor training institutions has increased to 15 across the country.

A tree doctor is a professional who helps maintain the health of trees and prevents them from catching diseases. The work of a tree doctor can be divided into four main areas: diagnosis, prescription, prevention, and treatment. When a request is received, the tree doctor examines the leaves using a magnifying glass and inspects the soil by digging around the tree.

After collecting pathogens, the tree doctor analyzes them under the microscope. Once the exact cause of theproblem is identified, the tree doctor prescribes the appropriate medication. Overall, a tree doctor is not just a professional but a guardian of our green spaces, ensuring the health and vitality of our precious trees.

To become a tree doctor, it is essential to meet qualifications such as education, certification, or experience related to tree medicine, such as Engineer Landscape Architecture, Engineer Forest, and Engineer Plant Protection certifications. Additionally, they must complete more than 150 hours of training at a training institution and pass the national qualification exam.

Explaining the strict admission criteria, Kim In-Cheon, head of the Forest Disease and Pest Control Division at KFS said, “We will eliminate blind spots in the training of tree doctors and provide quality education to ensure systematic tree management.”

The establishment of the new tree doctor training institution at KMU marks a significant step forward in addressing the pressing challenges facing our ecosystems. With its dedication to excellence in education and research, coupled with a commitment to environmental stewardship, KMU stands poised to make a profound impact in nurturing a new generation of tree doctors.

lekhanhhuyen03@kookmin.ac.kr