arboriculturist

The work

Arboriculturists may be known as:

• consultant arboriculturists
• arboricultural officers
• tree officers.

They ensure that trees in amenity and conservation areas are managed, maintained and kept in a safe condition.

They may:

• work as private consultants, supporting and advising companies and individuals; or
• be employed by local authorities, taking responsibility for trees owned by the council in public woodland, country parks, parks and recreational spaces, and providing an advisory service to other council departments and the public.

Arboriculturists work can involve:

• carrying out detailed surveys of sites to record the number of trees and their condition
• deciding what work needs to be carried out. This could include pruning, lopping, planting or transplanting
• ensuring that planning requests meet legislation and preservation orders are not broken
• when trees are to be planted, advising on their selection depending on soil conditions, situation and visual qualities
• estimating costs for the work to be carried out
• preparing contract specifications and supervising contracts
• sometimes directing manual and supervisory staff
• responding to complaints about individual trees, for example if they have become dangerous or are blocking out light
• property issues or insurance claims, for example if a fallen tree has caused damage or a building is in danger of being undermined by tree roots.

Other important tasks include:

• writing reports
• consulting with, and advising, the public, council departments, private companies, voluntary organisations or conservation groups
• attending/speaking at public meetings.

Hours and Environment

Arboriculturists usually work a 35 to 39 hour week, Monday to Friday, but could be called out at other times to deal with emergencies.

Some of the work is office-based, but arboriculturists also work in a wide range of places, including:

• country parks
• private estates
• private gardens.

This involves being outside in all weathers, and sometimes climbing trees to carry out inspections.

Arboriculturists may spend time travelling between sites, and occasional periods away from home may be necessary. A driving licence is essential.

Skills and Interests

To be an arboriculturist you should:

• be physically fit and have a head for heights
• have practical skills
• enjoy working outdoors and be interested in conservation and the environment
• have a good knowledge of tree biology and pathology
• have some understanding of civil engineering and construction techniques
• have good communication skills and be able to read plans and maps
• be confident and able to present a professional image
• have management skills and the ability to prioritise
• have creative ability.

Entry

You can enter this type of work in two ways:

• with a degree, foundation degree or higher national diploma (HND) in subjects such as arboriculture, arboriculture and urban forestry, forestry and woodland management; or
• by a mixture of experience and a professional qualification.

For entry to a BTEC/SQA HND you usually need:

• three GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3); and
• one A levels/two H grades, or the equivalent.

Courses are two years long, or three if a sandwich year (in employment) is included.

In Scotland, SQA higher national certificate HNC courses are available. For these you need one or two H grades, or the equivalent. The courses last one year and could lead to employment as a supervisor or self-employed contractor. You could also progress to a HND . Part-time options may be available.

To get onto a degree you will usually need:

• five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3); and
• two A levels/three H grades, or equivalent qualifications.

Degree courses last for three or four years and some include a sandwich year.

An Access to Higher Education course may also be acceptable as an entry requirement.

For some courses you might need a science subject at A level/H grade or equivalent, and possibly some practical experience. You may be able to gain work experience on a voluntary basis with an organisation such as the National Trust.

Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

For information about foundation degrees see Foundation Degree Forward

To search for colleges and universities offering foundation degrees, HNDs and degrees see Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

If you are already employed in the industry you can do an online foundation degree offered by Myerscough College.

You may also be able to begin at a practical level and gain promotion through experience and by taking professional qualifications. Please see the Arboricultural Worker profile for details.

Please see the Training section of this profile for details of higher level professional qualifications.

Training

When you are employed in arboriculture you can study for the following professional qualifications:

• The Arboricultural Association’s Technician’s Certificate in Arboriculture for those aiming for a technical, supervisory or managerial role. You do not need any specific entry qualifications or set length of experience, and you can prepare for the examination by self-directed study or by part-time college study
• The Royal Forestry Society’s Professional Diploma in Arboriculture (DipArb (RFS). You must be over 23 and have been in the industry full-time for at least three years
• The Institute of Chartered Foresters’ Professional Examination with arboriculture options. This can only be studied by distance learning. You need two or more years’ experience in an approved practice. If you have a relevant HND or degree you may not have to do all the examination units
• the certification programme offered by the International Society of Arboriculture.

You can get details of these qualifications from the respective organisations. Please see the Further Information section for contact details.

You can also do relevant postgraduate qualifications if you have a degree or the equivalent.

You can do short training courses in areas such as tree hazard evaluation and arboricultural consultancy at colleges that specialise in land-based industries.

If you are employed as a local authority tree officer, you can do short courses covering your statutory and discretionary responsibilities through the Arboricultural Association.

It is useful to join a professional body such as the Arboricultural Association and the Institute of Chartered Foresters, as this will provide opportunities for continuous professional development (CPD), professional recognition and opportunities for networking. You can find details of membership on the organisations' websites. Please see the Further Information section.

Opportunities

Arboriculturists are employed by:

• local authorities
• private landowners
• public bodies
• forest management companies
• consultancy firms
• contracting companies (tree surgery firms).

Many experienced arboriculturists become self-employed. Others find work overseas.

It is possible to be promoted from technical, supervisory or management posts to director level. Registered private consultants or senior positions in local authorities usually require the Royal Forestry Society’s Professional Diploma in Arboriculture or chartered membership of the Institute of Chartered Foresters, gained by passing their professional examination.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

On entry, arboriculturists can expect a salary of around £12,000 to around £15,000 a year.
With experience, this can rise to £18,000 to £25,000 a year.
The highest salaries can be around £30,000 a year.

Further information

102 High Street
Tring
Hertfordshire
HP23 4AF
Tel: 01442 822028 Myerscough Hall
Bilsborrow
Preston
PR3 0RY
Tel: 01995 642211 7A St Colme Street
Edinburgh
EH3 6AA
Tel: 0131 225 2705 148 Hydes Road
Wednesbury
West Midlands
WS10 0DR
Tel: 0121 556 8302 Lantra House
Stoneleigh Park
Nr Coventry
Warwickshire
CV8 2LG
Tel: 0845 707 8007 Ampfield House
Romsey
Hampshire
SO51 9PA
Tel: 01794 368717

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