Landscape Horticulturist – Hedge Care & Fine Pruning (Non-Climbing)

Vista Tree Management; Toronto; On-site; CAD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Vista Tree Management seeks a skilled technician to support our urban tree care team in Toronto. This role involves hands-on hedge and ornamental plant care, combining technical pruning with valuable field experience. Opportunities for training and career advancement are available.

Benefits

Competitive year-round pay

High-quality tools and equipment provided

Paid certification and training support

Best-in-class Employee Health and Dental Plan

Paid vacation and sick days

Qualifications

• 2+ years experience in hedge care and/or fine pruning.
• Familiarity with hedge trimming and ornamental pruning.
• G license and clean driving abstract preferred.

Responsibilities

• Structural and aesthetic pruning of ornamental trees and shrubs.
• Formal hedge care, trimming, training, and restoration.
• Assist tree crews with site support and brush hauling.

Skills

Hedge care techniques

Ornamental pruning

Attention to detail

Physical fitness

Teamwork

Education

Formal horticulture or arboriculture education

Tools

Chainsaw

Hand tools

Power equipment

Job description

We’re dedicated to the health and beauty of Toronto’s urban canopy—from large technical removals to the precision care of hedges, ornamentals, and small trees. Our work goes far beyond trimming: we focus on long-term plant health, aesthetics, and ecological function using expert methods and a commitment to craftsmanship.

Opportunity

We’re seeking a skilled, hands-on technician to lead or assist in hedge and ornamental plant care within our tree-focused team. This is not a landscaping or gardening role—it’s part of our arboriculture crew and includes a mix of specialist tasks (hedging, pruning, planting) and physical site work alongside larger tree operations.

You’ll work on:

• Structural and aesthetic pruning of ornamental trees and shrubs (fine pruning)
• Formal hedge care, trimming, training, and restoration
• Small tree planting and aftercare
• Root care and soil improvement for hedge and ornamental systems
• Specialty forms like pleaching, espalier, and topiary
• Seasonal care, shaping, and revitalization projects
• Site support including brush hauling, cleanup, and assisting tree crews

Who This Role Is For:

Early-career professionals (2+ years experience) will join as part of the ground crew, learning advanced techniques and supporting tree work while building skills in fine pruning and hedge care.

Experienced technicians with a strong background in landscaping, horticulture, or arboriculture may take on leadership responsibilities within this scope—overseeing ornamental and hedge-related work, mentoring others, and helping set quality standards on job sites.

Regardless of experience, this is a physical role that includes hands-on work. Supervisory applicants are still expected to participate in site prep, cleanup, and other essential (sometimes muddy) tasks—no one is above the work.

A Successful Candidate Is:

• Deeply familiar with hedge and ornamental care techniques and interested in further development in this specialized area
• Precise with tools and mindful of plant structure, growth cycles, and long-term form
• Able to apply best arboricultural and horticultural practices to caring for hedges, ornamentals
• High level of attention to detail, professionalism and discretion when working on client properties
• Eager to contribute to broader tree crew tasks as needed
• Interested in year-round, outdoors work in all seasons
• Humble, curious, and capable of working both independently and as part of a team
• Comfortable with ladders, hand tools, and power equipment
• Open to teaching or mentoring others (if experienced), or receiving mentorship (if newer)

You Should Have:

• 2+ years of experience in hedge care and/or fine pruning of ornamental trees
• Familiarity with hedge trimming, ornamental pruning, or small tree care
• Comfort working outdoors in all weather and doing repetitive or physical tasks
• G license and clean abstract preferred
• Strong work ethic and attention to detail
• Willingness to work on the ground as part of a production tree crew

Bonus Qualifications:

• Chainsaw experience or certification
• Working at Heights, First Aid and CPR
• Formal horticulture, arboriculture, or landscaping education
• Experience with planting/transplanting, root health, or formal garden structures
• Previous supervisory experience in a green industry setting

We Offer:

• Competitive year-round pay, scaled to experience and role
• High-quality tools, PPE, uniforms, and equipment provided
• Opportunities for domestic and international training in hedge styles, laying, and ornamental care
• Support for horticulture, landscaping, or arborist apprenticeship registration
• Paid certification and training support
• Career growth pathways into climbing, removals, consulting, or crew leadership
• Best-in-class Employee Health and Dental Plan
• Paid vacation and paid sick days
• A team culture that values skill, professionalism, and continuous learning

Work Details:

• Based in east-end Toronto (TTC accessible, Warden Station nearby)
• 35–50 hours/week, Monday–Friday, 7:00am start
• Mix of residential and commercial properties across the City of Toronto
• All work is outdoors, year-round, in variable weather conditions

If you’re serious about building or advancing a career in detailed plant care—whether you’re still growing your skills or ready to lead—we’d love to hear from you.

No phone inquiries, please. Only applicants with complete applications will be contacted. Open work permit holders currently in Canada are welcome to apply. We cannot sponsor international applicants at this time.