Tree Care

[Anchor Lead]

Damaged and sick trees will now be treated by nationally accredited "tree doctors." A professional licensing system was instituted for tree care recently and aspiring tree doctors are studying hard for the first licensing exam in April.

[Pkg]

This weeping cherry tree is in its twilight years. Blight has severely damaged its trunk.

[Soundbite] Ahn Cheol-hee(Tree Doctor Instructor) : "Cherry trees are prone to pests and diseases, so they tend to decompose rapidly. It's best to perform surgery when the damage is limited."

Surgery is performed on the ailing tree. The rotted parts are scraped off and antiseptic is sprayed. The procedure is completed when the hollow trunk is filled up. The so-called "tree doctor" system was introduced for the first time this year. Ahead of the first licensing exam in April, these aspiring tree doctors ranging in age from college students to retirees take on-site training. It's a tough 160-hour process of learning everything related to tree care, from tree growth to pest and disease management and post-forest fire restoration. But these students are eagerly looking forward to becoming specialists in a new field.

[Soundbite] Jo Baek-su(Student of "Tree Doctor" Program) : "Once I get licensed, I can develop further in this field or it can help me cultivate trees. I can also make trees happy."

Even trees require customized care these days and tree doctors are emerging as a new profession.