Arboriculturist
Arboriculturists cultivate and manage trees, hedgerows and shrubs. The work is undertaken in both rural and urban settings and includes all aspects of felling, preserving, planting and protecting trees, sometimes using heavy equipment. They also provide information and advice on specific tree-related issues. There is an increasing focus on maintaining a safe relationship between the trees, their immediate environment and the general public. Arboriculturists who do only hands-on tree and shrub maintenance may be called arborists.
Arboriculturists usually specialise in a particular area of work, such as tree climbing and maintenance, tree preservation and conservation, parks and gardens, planning, or tree survey and inspection. Advances in tree biology, equipment and techniques have resulted in fundamental changes to traditional tree work practices, and arboriculture has moved away from the ‘tree surgery’ approach to a ‘tree care’ approach.
Tasks vary between specific areas of arboriculture.
An arborist works at a practical level and visits a range of sites in order to:
An arboriculturist may be involved in the same activities as an arborist, but works at a supervisory/managerial level and will also be involved in:
In urban areas, the work involves improving the relationship between the environment and urban development through activities such as:
Relevant degree and HND subjects include life sciences, agricultural and horticultural sciences, and urban and land studies. In particular, the following subjects may improve your chances:
Apart from arboriculture and forestry courses, the relevance of a degree depends on course content. Graduates from other disciplines can apply if they possess relevant experience, especially at arborist/craft level.
Some forestry or horticultural HNDs and foundation degrees offer options/modules of relevance to arboriculture, such as urban forestry or woodland management.
Specialist institutions, such as Myerscough College , provide a BSc and foundation degree course in arboriculture. The college and other providers also offer the National Diploma in Arboriculture, one of the key recognised qualifications in the field. Myerscough also provides the Royal Forestry Society (RFS) Certificate in Arboriculture for individuals already employed in the industry.
A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not essential, but could be advantageous. Myerscough College offers an MSc/PG Diploma in arboriculture and urban forestry.
The University of Aberdeen runs an MSc course in forestry, and other institutions including Bangor University and the University of Cumbria offer Masters courses and research opportunities specialising in environmental forestry, agroforestry, forest ecology and management, sustainable tropical forestry, and conservation and forest protection.
The Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) provides details of ICF-validated courses on its website. Details of arboriculture qualifications and course providers are available from the Arboricultural Association .
The National Proficiency Test Council (NPTC) provides certificates of competence, which are now legally required if you are to practise skills such as operating a chainsaw.
Pre-entry experience in areas such as project work (landscaping and urban reclamation), tree maintenance or planting work is essential. Conservation organisations and charities may offer voluntary work. After gaining some direct or related experience, it is advisable to look for a trainee post as an arboricultural assistant with an employer willing to provide the necessary training, support or additional experience.
Candidates will need a good level of physical fitness, a clean driving licence and confidence working at heights. An aptitude for outdoor pursuits is desirable. Specialist climbing work is sometimes necessary.
The increase in environmental awareness and outdoor recreation has highlighted the need for professionally trained arboriculturists and foresters capable of managing Britain’s woodlands and trees. Opportunities for arboricultural officers or tree officers within planning departments of local councils are also increasing as a result of the renewed focus on managing the natural environment. There is usually strong competition for these posts.
Further careers information can be found on the Forestry Commission and Lantra: The Sector Skills Council for the Environmental and Land-based Sector websites. The Arboricultural Association produces A Guide to Qualifications and Careers in Arboriculture , which is free to download from their website.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Graduates in related disciplines can start as technical managers or supervisors, although a relevant course such as a BSc (Hons) or National Certificate in Arboriculture is usually required. Craftspeople can progress to these posts with vocational qualifications such as the Royal Forestry Society (RFS) Certificate in Arboriculture, which combines written and practical elements with experience.
The RFS offers a Professional Diploma in Arboriculture (DipArb(RFS)) for practitioners at NQF Level 6, and full details are available on their website.
The International Society of Arboriculture also provides an arborist certification programme. Specialist institutions offer a range of training courses, where progression from one level to another is possible.
Training and development will depend on individual employers and you may need to take a strategic approach. The relevant professional bodies provide seminars and other continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities. Specialist institutions, such as Myerscough College , provide short training courses to enable arborists, arboriculturists and professionals in related areas to develop their skills. These include areas such as arboriculture consultancy and tree hazard evaluation.
Progression routes will depend on the point at which you enter the field but those who undertake the academic, vocational and professional training available can progress their careers in the following order:
A range of opportunities exists within this careers structure for individuals with the right combination of qualifications and experience.
Entry to the profession is usually as an arborist or arboricultural assistant with a commercial tree care company, commercial contracting company or local authority. With necessary experience, certificates of competence and vocational qualifications, it is possible to progress to management, specialist or consultancy work.
Many qualified arboriculturists progress to running their own consultancies, whilst others gain work as arboriculture managers, working in areas such as utility arboriculture and community woodlands.
Membership of the relevant professional bodies, such as the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) and the Arboricultural Association , may also help career development at higher levels. As well as providing structured progression routes, membership provides valuable networking opportunities and professional recognition. Membership of other organisations may also be beneficial and, in some cases, may be a prerequisite for sitting their examinations.
Typical employers of qualified arboriculturists and arborists include:
The work in this setting is often less hands-on than in other roles and can involve site visits, tree surveys to assess health and safety, recording tree locations, answering enquiries from the public, planning tree planting schemes, and overseeing contractors' work.
Overseas work or travel is also possible, especially where there is extensive timber production, for example in New Zealand, Canada and Scandinavia.
Self-employment is another option, either as a craftsperson or as a consultant working for a variety of clients, such as domestic sites, private estates or businesses.
Recruitment agencies rarely handle vacancies.
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