Advances In Tree And Forest Work: Technologies, Risks And Workers' Safety

Forestry and arboriculture are at the crossroads of major global transitions. Increasing environmental awareness, climate change, and technological innovation are driving significant transformations in how tree and forest work is conceived and executed. These sectors cover a wide range of activities, from industrial forest operations to fine-scale urban forestry interventions. As society demands more sustainable land management and enhanced climate resilience, forest and tree work must evolve accordingly. Emerging technologies such as digital tools, automation, and artificial intelligence are becoming central to forest and arboricultural practices. Yet, these changes bring both opportunities and challenges, especially in ensuring safety, inclusivity, and accessibility for all workers. Understanding how labor systems are adapting—technically, socially, and economically—is essential to support this transition.



This Research Topic aims to examine the profound changes occurring in forestry and arboricultural labor systems. It seeks to identify strategies that enhance safety, efficiency, and equity while integrating technological advancements in a socially responsible way. The growing influence of digitalization, robotics, and remote sensing tools is reshaping how work is planned and executed. However, their integration into daily practice—especially for small operators and in less developed regions—remains uneven. At the same time, climate change is intensifying operational risks, prompting the need for better models of hazard assessment, worker protection, and adaptive management.Forestry remains one of the most hazardous sectors, highlighting the urgency of improving ergonomics, training, protective gear, and task design. Additionally, labor dynamics are shifting due to workforce aging, labor shortages, and reliance on migrant or seasonal workers. Addressing these trends requires innovative approaches to education, recruitment, and working conditions. Finally, the evolving public perception of forest work demands new strategies to elevate its social value and attract new talent. By exploring these issues, this Research Topic intends to promote a comprehensive, forward-looking vision of forest and arboricultural labor.



This Research Topic invites interdisciplinary contributions that explore how tree and forest work is evolving in response to technological, environmental, and social pressures. We welcome original research articles, systematic reviews, case studies, and perspectives from disciplines including forest engineering, occupational health, ergonomics, sociology, labor studies, digital innovation, and environmental psychology.



Key themes to be explored include:

- Technological innovations in machinery and automation (e.g. UAV or sensors)

- Digital tools for operational planning and monitoring

- Safety and risk management in both forest and urban contexts

- Ergonomics and human-technology interaction; education and professional development

- Workforce equity and inclusion

- Mental health and well-being

- Climate change impacts on work conditions; and governance and policy frameworks.



We are particularly interested in manuscripts that offer practical insights, participatory approaches, and real-world case studies that highlight the integration of technology with social and environmental sustainability in tree and forest work.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: orest operations, Arboriculture, Worker safety, Mechanization, Forest labor, Digital forestry, Ergonomics, Tree biomechanics, Workforce sustainability

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.