Tree care isn’t just about skill—it’s about having the right gear for the job. At Front Range Arborists, our certified pros rely on a rugged lineup of arborist tools and equipment to care for Colorado Springs’ trees while staying safe on the job. From heavy-duty gear to high-tech climbing equipment, what we carry goes far beyond the average toolbox.
Table of Contents
TL;DR: What's in an arborist's toolbox?
Answer:
saws: The Powerhouse of Tree Work
Let’s start with the obvious: the chainsaw. It’s the MVP of tree care and used daily for cutting, pruning, lopping, and removing trees. The chainsaw is both one of the most powerful and most versatile tools in the hand of a skilled arborist. Believe it or not, chainsaws were originally invented in the 1830s for bone surgery (thankfully, they’ve evolved). Today, they’re precision tools that require just as much respect as power. That’s why every arborist on our crew is trained in safe, expert operation.
Hand Saw
For more controlled cuts, hand saws provide greater precision then chainsaws, allowing for more detailed branch maintenance.
Pole Saw
It can be extremely dangerous to use a saw without both feet on the ground. The solution? A longer saw. Pole saws can be either manual or electric.
Pruning Shears: Not to be Underestimated
Not every job needs horsepower. Sometimes, a pair of pruning shears is the perfect arborist tool for the task. These handheld clippers are ideal for shaping shrubs or trimming small branches with finesse and control. Think of them as the finishing touch in the arborist’s belt.
Climbing Gear: How We Reach New Heights
Not all trees are accessible by bucket truck. That’s why our team is outfitted with professional climbing gear designed to safely navigate high branches and complex tree canopies.
Climbing Saddle
An arborist’s climbing saddle (or harness) is the foundation of safe tree work, distributing weight comfortably while allowing freedom of movement. Designed with reinforced attachment points and padding, it keeps climbers secure during long ascents, descents, and precise pruning tasks high in the canopy.
Climbing Snap
This heavy-duty, spring-loaded snap hook connects an arborist’s saddle to ropes, lanyards, or other gear, ensuring quick and secure attachments. Its locking mechanism prevents accidental openings, providing reliable support during technical climbs and risky cuts.
Locking Carabiner
A must-have for life-saving connections, this metal clip features a threaded or auto-locking gate to secure ropes, pulleys, and rigging systems. Arborists rely on its failproof design to prevent accidental disengagement when working at height or under load.
PPE: Personal Protective Equipment for Maximum Safety
Tree care is rewarding and essential work, but it comes with real risks—falling limbs, sharp tools, loud equipment, and flying debris. That’s why PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is non-negotiable on every job. Proper PPE minimizes risks while allowing tree care professionals to work efficiently—whether they’re operating a chainsaw, chipping brush, or climbing at height.
- Hard hats
- Safety glasses
- Goggles/face shields
- Hearing protection
- Personal protective clothing
Heavy Machinery
Masticator
A masticator is a powerful piece of forestry equipment that uses rotating cutting teeth or drums to grind trees, brush, and vegetation into mulch or wood chips on-site. For arborists, this heavy-duty machine is invaluable for efficient land clearing, right-of-way maintenance, and wildfire mitigation, as it quickly processes large volumes of material without the need for hauling away debris. By shredding unwanted trees and brush into nutrient-rich mulch, a masticator helps arborists manage overgrown areas sustainably while reducing labor and disposal costs—making it an essential tool for large-scale tree care and vegetation management projects.
Chipper
The wood chipper is an arborist’s best friend when it comes to disposal (okay, so it doesn’t literally fit inside of a toolbox, just use your imagination). It’s used every day to deal with all the waste created by trimming, maintenance, and removal.
A wood chipper comes in handy the most during whole tree removal, stump removal, removal of a large number of excess shrubs that need to be removed. The chipper shreds branches and logs into small chips or sawdust, which makes the cleanup process quick and efficient.
There are a few different types of chippers out there: some that are stationary at the yard, some that are towed behind our other equipment like bucket trucks, and track chippers that can get to hard-to-reach places.
Certified Arborists
Not every arborist tool is a piece of equipment or machinery—sometimes, the most valuable assets are knowledge and experience. At Front Range, we’re proud of our team members who have invested in their craft by pursuing professional certifications and building their skills over years in the field.
Want to see us in action? If you have a problem tree, or just need some routine maintenance, give us a call today! We love what we do and are happy to help.