How to Become a Tree Surgeon

If you love the idea of working outdoors and have a healthy respect for and interest in trees and other aspects of arboriculture, you may have a future as a tree surgeon. Don’t worry, it doesn’t require that you spend vast amounts of money on medical school, but there are certain qualifications you will have to satisfy before you can earn the title of tree surgeon and get to work.

What’s Needed to Become a Tree Surgeon

If you have ever wondered how to become a tree surgeon, the good news is that it’s a pretty straightforward process. There are specific skills you will need to acquire, but none of them are beyond the capabilities of most people.

At an absolute minimum, you will need to acquire NPTC certificates that state you are competent in:

• CS30.1 and CS30.2 chainsaw operations - This indicates you have demonstrated knowledge of basic chainsaw maintenance, and that you have learned the basics of cross-cutting.

• ACTR02 Units 01 and 02 - This certificate indicates you have demonstrated an aptitude for, and proper techniques related to, tree climbing, and that you have passed a course in aerial rescue techniques.

Note: Working at height is not for everyone. So if you are not comfortable working high above the ground, tree surgeon may not be the job for you.

How Our Courses Can Help

We offer a wide range of courses that can take you from a standard ground worker, to a qualified tree surgeon and aerial rescue expert.

By working with us, you will be able to open your horizons and go far in this industry. We’ll give you practical skills in chainsaw use, aerial rescue, tree felling and climbing – making you a valuable employee for any company and also a valuable colleague.

We’ll also teach you the ‘softer’ skills which, whilst often overlooked, are vitally important when it comes to working in this industry. By being better at working with people, you can open yourself up to more opportunities, more money and an all-round better career.

Tree Surgeon Careers – Is It Worth It?

So you’ve established HOW to become a tree surgeon, but now it’s a question of whether this is for you. Ultimately, are the financial rewards worth it? And is it a career that will leave you fulfilled?

Well, first and foremost, we’ll address the important question – money. Whilst tree surgeon salaries can differ greatly, depending on your job and work location, you can expect a base salary of £16,000 a year. And that’s with no qualifications or experience.

At the other end of the spectrum, qualified tree surgeons (who have taken our courses…) can earn up to around £45,000 a year. Yes, you will have to work hard for it, but the chance is there.

So, we’ve established it can be a good earner, but why else is it a career worth pursuing? Well, put simply, it is a job in which you will play a key role in protecting the local environment. The focus on our climate and ecosystem has never been greater, so this job has arguably never been more important.

As a tree surgeon, you'll be playing an important role in public safety, too. By taking care of overhanging trees and overgrown bushes, you'll be making roads and paths safer for all those who use them. Not just humans, but animals as well!

And last, but not least, you'll get to spend a lot of time in the great outdoors. Fresh air, great scenery and a cracking tan. What's not to love?

Other Qualifications

The above certificates are the starting point for any aspiring tree surgeon, but they are not the only qualifications that will help launch your career. You will also need to undergo so-called LOLER training. LOLER stands for Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations and these have to do with the safe operation of the type of powered lifting equipment often used instead of ladders. Some employers may also require you to prove a certain level of first aid proficiency.

Contact the DTE Academy

If you want to know how to become a tree surgeon but don’t know where to start, give us a call on 01959 524 623. We will be happy to answer your questions. If you prefer you can send us an email with your questions to: enquiries@dtetrees.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.

Why Become a Tree Surgeon?

Some people are born to be tree surgeons, for others it’s a decision they arrive at over time. The biggest hurdle most of these late bloomers face is answering the simple question: “Why become a tree surgeon?” It is, after all, an uncommon career path and not one that will have a person navigating the corridors of power. There are, however, a slew of good reasons to become a tree surgeon which we will get into now.

Why Become a Tree Surgeon? Here’s Why:

1. You’ll help make the world a better place - Tree surgeons spend all their time looking after the health of trees great and small, even historic trees that have important roles to play in local and national history. As a tree surgeon, your job will be to help our arboreal friends navigate the many challenges of the 21st century while maintaining the beauty and charm of the British landscape.

2. You enjoy fresh air every day - Some people enjoy the atmosphere of the office, others see it as a kind of prison. If you are the latter type you will love working as a tree surgeon. You are constantly outdoors amidst the splendour of nature, breathing fresh air, hearing the birds sing, and soaking in the sunshine. In some ways, it's like being on one long holiday.

3. You won’t be stuck in one place - Whether you work in an office, a restaurant, a clothing store or a factory you spend most of your waking life in one place, dealing with the same people. When you work as a tree surgeon you are almost never in the same place twice. One day you may be working on a large estate, the next day you may be felling a tree in a park, and the day after that you might be pruning trees on a country lane.

4. It’s an amazing workout - Scaling and felling trees and pruning branches high above the ground is a tremendous workout. You will need to be in shape to become a tree surgeon, but the job itself will probably improve your conditioning in ways you never imagined.

5. It Will Keep Your Mind Sharp Too – When people think about what tree surgeons do for a living every day, they tend to focus on the physical aspects of the job, as we have also done up until this point. However, if you decide to become a tree surgeon in the UK, you can also look forward to a decent mental workout every day. Every job you undertake will need to be carefully planned and sometimes you will have to exercise your diagnostic skills to figure out why a particular specimen is struggling. Solving each problem you encounter (and preparing for each new job) will be a satisfying mental exercise and could help to ensure that you remain sharp as a tack for many years to come.

6. Job Security – Barring a global climate catastrophe on a scale that we have never witnessed before, you can rely on there always being trees that need your expert attention in the future.

This fact alone makes tree surgery one of the safer careers to pursue as far as job security is concerned. As long as you conduct yourself in an ethical manner at all times and learn your trade well, you can look forward to many years of well-paid work in your new profession.

7. Opportunity to Start Your Own Business – Becoming a tree surgeon is a great idea if you like the idea of running your own business. Once you have established yourself as a reliable professional who knows exactly what he or she is doing, you will be in an excellent position to think about setting up on your own. With your own business, you can build a great future for yourself (and for your family), with no limit to what you could earn. You will need to learn some new skills so you can manage your business effectively but this should be well within your capabilities if you are properly motivated.

Qualities That Make for A Good Tree Surgeon

Unfortunately, not everyone is cut out to be a tree surgeon. Even some folks who think they would enjoy the work end up crashing out when faced with the reality of the job. In the interest of perhaps saving you some time we've compiled the following list of the personal qualities we at Tree Care Training believe are important for tree surgeons to have.

• You should be physically fit: There is no way around this one. You'll be spending much of your time as a tree surgeon climbing and descending trees carrying equipment like chainsaws. You simply will not be able to do that if you are out of shape.

• You should have no fear of heights: If you are afraid of heights you will have a very hard time climbing trees or working in the canopy. It is essential for tree surgeons to be cool, calm and collected at all times, which can't happen if the person is afraid of heights.

• You should have a love of the outdoors: You're going to be outdoors most of the time, where the weather will not always be great and you are likely to encounter many types of animals, insects and birds. If you're not a nature lover you may have a problem with that.

• You should be a good communicator: When working with other tree surgeons outdoors and at height it is essential that all communications be clear and easily understood. A failure to communicate clearly could lead to oversights or accidents.

• A modicum of toughness: Toughness is an important quality for a tree surgeon. The weather can turn on you quickly and you cannot always abandon what you're doing. You may also encounter snakes, large beetles, bats and other types of wildlife and you must stay calm during the encounter.

• You should work well with others: Yes, many tree surgeons exude a certain amount of rugged individualism. But that cannot interfere with their ability to work well with others. It is important that everyone on the team know and trust one another without question.

Please feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss your future as a tree surgeon with a member of our team, or enrol on one of our courses.

How Much Do Tree Surgeons Earn UK

If you love the outdoors, have a deep-seated appreciation for nature and don’t want to earn your daily bread cooped up in an office somewhere, consider a career in tree surgery. Tree surgeons are essential workers who keep our nation beautiful, protect our landscape from invasive species, keep roads and power lines clear, and are among the first to respond when extreme weather wreaks havoc. But how much does a tree surgeon earn in the UK?

Requirements to Become a Tree Surgeon

Before you can become a tree surgeon you will need to undergo training that will teach you the fine points of the trade including, but not limited to:

●        Tree Removal - All tree surgeons must be thoroughly trained in the process of tree removal.

●        Tree Pruning - All tree surgeons must be adept at pruning trees.

●        Stump Removal - Tree surgeons must know how to remove stumps properly.

●        Aerial Work - You must be thoroughly trained in working at height.

●        Root Pruning - Cutting back roots is exacting work that requires expert training.

One thing you need to be mindful of when considering a career as a tree surgeon is that part about aerial work. You can’t prune trees or perform other aspects of the tree surgeon’s job without working at height. If you are not comfortable with the idea of aerial work, tree surgery is not for you.

That said, let’s take a quick look at tree surgeon salaries.

How Much Do Tree Surgeons Earn in the UK?

The salaries of tree surgeons in the UK vary pretty widely depending on experience level, location and other factors. As a general rule, new hires can expect a base salary of around £16,000 per year. That is for someone with no experience who just completed the required tree surgeon training courses at the DTE Academy.

It is not unusual for experienced tree surgeons to earn upwards of £45,000. That amount is predicated on the tree surgeon working 40-50 hours per week, performing lots of aerial work, leading crews and more. Some tree surgeons choose to work for themselves which can result in even higher earnings if the person is good at what they do and reasonably business savvy.

Your Career Prospects

There are lots of levels when it comes to careers in this industry. The more qualifications and experience you have, the further you can go, and the more you can earn. Whilst ground workers with little experience are expected to earn around the £16,000 mark, those with lots of experience can go on to earn triple that, if not more.

Specialist tree surgeons tend to earn around £30,000, with those putting in some serious hours and with a few extra qualifications bringing home around £45,000. However, that’s just the start. Get yourself in a consultancy, planning or teaching role (with us, perhaps) and you can well exceed that number.

All it takes is a little bit of commitment and application from you, to not only earn your stripes on the ground, but to invest in your development by attending one or more of our DTE Academy courses. Whatever topic you choose, you won’t regret it.

The Benefits of Being a Tree Surgeon

The benefits of being a Tree Surgeon extend beyond the pay to include:

Varied work: For some people spending every day at the same desk in the same office is the ideal situation. Others, however, are simply not cut out for that life. If the possibility of working in different locations all the time and performing a variety of tasks appeals to you you’ll love being a Tree Surgeon.

Working outdoors: Not only do Tree Surgeons move from location to location on a regular basis almost all of their time is spent outdoors. Tree Surgeons work with their hands in the natural environment, breathing fresh air and communing with the flora and fauna.

Highly satisfying work: Spending each day helping to ensure the health and well-being of trees on both public and private land leaves the Tree Surgeon with a deep sense of satisfaction. Every day the Tree Surgeon helps make the environment a little healthier, safer and more beautiful.

No shortage of work: The Tree Surgeon is kept busy pruning, removing, planting and assessing trees in both rural and urban areas. It is estimated that there are now more than 1.3 billion trees in England alone, 10% more than 40 years ago, and the area covered by trees is increasing by 20,000 acres per year.

Opportunities for growth: Advances in the field of Arboriculture are ongoing, requiring the Tree Surgeon to continually upgrade and refine their skills through a variety of training programmes and certifications. Contrary to popular belief the field contains a multitude of opportunities for advancement and growth.

Flexibility: The Tree Surgeon can choose to work for an established company like DTE or they can be a freelance contractor, or they can start their own business. It’s the kind of flexibility you don’t find in many jobs and tends to attract those who value independence and like to keep their options open.

Good for your health: The Tree Surgeon’s work is physically demanding meaning that it will help you stay in shape while your office worker buddies are packing on the pounds.

How We Can Help

Our courses can give you qualifications and experience in a wide range of things – such as tree felling, climbing, aerial rescue and chainsaw use and maintenance. Not only does this make you a better employee, a better colleague and just generally a more skilled individual – it really helps when it comes to your take-home salary too.

As established already, qualified tree surgeons can earn up to and beyond £45,000 a year. That’s a lot of money, but the operative word there is qualified. That’s where we can help. Our courses are industry recognised and will teach you both the hard and soft skills you need to flourish in this industry.

About Our Academy

We are proud to say that our DTE Academy is run by fully qualified tree surgeons with a wide range of experience. Collectively we are all hugely passionate about our work, and take great pride in developing arborists of the future.

All we ever ask from our students is that they turn up with a positive attitude and ready to learn. As long as you are willing to work with us, we'll ensure you get where you need to go.

We will do everything we can to provide you with a productive learning environment. From providing you with full meals, setting clear learning outcomes and being strict on the staff we employ, we always go the extra mile to give you the best experience.

Get in Touch With DTE

To learn more or to sign up for any or all of our tree surgeon training courses contact the Down to Earth Academy today by calling 01959 524 623 or writing to us at enquiries@dtetrees.co.uk.

Jobs That Require Chainsaw Training

If you are based in the UK and looking for outdoor jobs, you may find that quite a few of them require chainsaw training or experience. If you do not have any experience or training, you are unlikely to be considered for such jobs but you can easily fix this by taking a City & Guilds course, either here in Kent with us or with another accredited training provider. But exactly what type of jobs are likely to be open only to candidates with previous chainsaw experience or training?

Jobs for Which You Will Normally Need Chainsaw Training

Among the jobs that usually require candidates to have completed some kind of recognised training or to have plenty of real-world experience with a chainsaw are the following:

Tree Surgeon – One of the most obvious jobs in our list but worth mentioning all the same. If you are interested in landing a job as a trainee tree surgeon, a chainsaw qualification will prove to be very useful. Some employers may be willing to provide on-the-job-training but a lot will be looking for people who already possess some relevant skills and qualifications.

Ranger – A ranger is someone who is responsible for looking after green spaces, such as woodlands and open countryside. One of the responsibilities of a ranger, whether they are working for a government or commercial organisation, is making sure that the trees on the land they manage do not pose a danger to persons or equipment in the immediate vicinity. If they do, they may have to be cut down, hence the need for chainsaw training.

Forester – Foresters are tasked with managing forests and this includes dealing with trees that need to be felled or pruned. If you are planning to apply for forestry management jobs in the UK, you will definitely enjoy more success with some relevant chainsaw training under your belt.

If you would like to apply for one of the above-mentioned jobs and you have no experience with chainsaws, please feel free to call and speak to us now about our City & Guilds chainsaw training courses in Kent.

What to Expect From Our Courses for Jobs That Require Chainsaw Training?

If you wish to become a tree surgeon, ranger or forester in the future, you can take your first concrete step towards your career goal by enrolling on a City & Guilds course with Tree Care Training in Kent. In addition to being fully qualified and experienced tree surgeons ourselves, we are also an accredited training provider, which makes us the perfect choice for companies and individuals in need of professional chainsaw training in the South East. But how do you apply, what exactly does our training involve and how long will it take for you to complete? See below for the answers to these important questions.

Completing a Chainsaw Training Course with Tree Care Training

We currently offer 2 courses that are specifically designed to teach people how to safely operate a chainsaw:

• City & Guilds Level 1 NTPC Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-Cutting

• City & Guilds Level 2 NTPC Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-Cutting, and Felling and Processing Trees up to 380mm

The level 1 course can be completed in a couple of days and is an excellent course to start with if you are preparing to start a new career that involves pruning and thinning trees. If you are hoping to land a job that involves the felling and processing of tree too, you may wish to consider the level 2 course as well, which is an intensive, 5-day course. In either case, the courses you choose will be held at our facility in Kent and will be taught by fully experienced and qualified instructors.

Applying for a Course

In the first instance, please contact us to discuss your specific needs with one of our experts. Once we know what you wish to achieve, we can help you to pick the perfect course and organise all the details on your behalf. You are also welcome to get in touch with us if you have any questions about what we do, or any concerns you would like us to address before helping you to choose the right chainsaw course.

Tree Surgeon Qualifications

Becoming a tree surgeon does not require an advanced medical degree but it does require that you obtain a number of certificates demonstrating your capabilities when it comes to the various aspects of the job. Below, we will take a look at some tree surgeon qualifications.

Common Tree Surgeon Qualifications

The following information should give you an idea of some of the certificates etc. available for those who want to become a tree surgeon. Keep in mind that not all companies or positions will require all of these qualifications.

The Royal Forestry Society Certification in Arboriculture - Often called the RFS Cert Arb, this is obtained from the RFS by proving competency in things like chainsaw maintenance and operation, as well as aerial rescue techniques.

City & Guilds Phase II Certification - This type of certification is obtained via City & Guilds approved centres. It indicates you have demonstrated both practical skills and technical knowledge related to arboriculture and is equivalent to QCF Level 2-3.

International Society of Arboriculture Certification - This certification is roughly equivalent to a QCF Level 2. It differs somewhat from other types of certification because it requires continuous updating of one’s skillset in order to remain valid.

Courses Needed to Become a Tree Surgeon

The following are the courses you will need to take if you wish to become a Tree Surgeon.

City & Guilds NPTC Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-Cutting - This course teaches the candidate the proper maintenance of their chainsaw as well as the correct method of cross-cutting trees at ground level. The lessons typically involve a combination of workshop activity and hands-on experience in the woodland environment. Candidates will learn how to cross-cut timber under tension, meaning fallen branches or any other type of timber in a similar situation.

City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Award in Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-Cutting and Felling and Processing Trees up to 380mm - In this course, candidates will learn about the directional felling of trees using chainsaws. The felling technique employed will differ depending on the tree's height, weight, species and overall health as well as weather conditions. As the course unfolds participants will learn how to determine the proper technique to employ as well as how to execute that technique safely and effectively.

City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Manually Fed Wood-Chipper - The wood chipper is an integral component of the Tree Surgeon's arsenal and during this 1-day course participants will learn how to safely operate and effectively maintain the wood chipper machine. There are no prerequisites for this course although candidates will need to provide their own Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Award in Tree Climbing and Rescue - Much of the Tree Surgeon's work is performed at height. Therefore it is essential that they understand the proper way of ascending and descending a tree as well as how to perform an effective aerial rescue of a colleague. This course teaches the candidate how to perform rescues in a variety of situations, including the safe removal of both conscious and unconscious colleagues.

DTE Academy Qualified Arborist Suite - The DTE Arborist Suite is a comprehensive suite of lessons designed to provide participants with all the qualifications they need to become a Tree Surgeon. The entire suite takes place over the course of 6 weeks

Additional Competencies

The following are used to determine a person’s tree surgeon qualifications on a practical level.

NPTC Certificates - These certificates are issued by the National Proficiency Tests Council and given to those who demonstrate competency in chainsaw management and operation, as well as the ability to conduct aerial rescues, operate stump grinders and more.

LOLER Certification - Tree surgeons are often required to use heavy equipment to access branches that can’t be reached any other way. LOLER stands for Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations. Obtaining this certification means you are qualified to operate said equipment.

Misc - You may see adverts for tree surgeons stating that their work conforms to BS3998 and think this is another type of certification you need to obtain. Such is not the case. It simply means the company strives to meet British Standard Recommendations for Tree Work.

Contact DTE

If you would like to learn more about tree surgeon qualifications give DTE a call on 01959 524 623 or email us at: enquiries@dtetrees.co.uk.

How to Get a Tree Surgeon Job in London

We have put together this brief guide to help you find out how to get a tree surgeon job in London that offers you an exciting new challenge every day. The guide has been written with the assumption that readers have no prior experience or qualifications. If you are interested in pursuing the matter further after you finish reading, please don’t hesitate to contact us. As fully qualified and experienced arborists who specialise in providing professional training of the highest quality, it would be our pleasure to help you take the first step toward a rewarding new career.

How to Get a Tree Surgeon Job in London with No Previous Experience

Getting a job with no previous experience is always a challenge but if you are self-disciplined and motivated, there is no reason to think you will not succeed. The first thing to do is to focus on obtaining the necessary qualifications and practical experience you will need, in order to make yourself more attractive to prospective employers. The following suggestions will help you get started:

• Follow a Healthy Diet and Exercise Regularly – You will need to be in good physical condition so if this is not currently the case, now is the time to do something about it.

• Enroll in an Accredited Course to Obtain City & Guilds Qualifications – With the right qualifications, you will be far more attractive to prospective employees.

• Take Advantage of Any Opportunities to Learn That Come Your Way – If you are still at school, college or university, you may have the chance to take relevant courses that will help you to achieve your goal of becoming a tree surgeon in London.

• Search for an Apprenticeship – Whilst places are limited, you may be able to find a company that is willing to take you on as an apprentice if you are lucky.

If you are interested in enrolling in an accredited training course that is close to London and is fully accredited, please feel free to call or message us. After completing your course, we will also be happy to offer you a place on our team.