Working with and for trees, woodland and in forestry, includes tree nurseries.

Trees are a vital part of the British countryside and provide an important amenity value in urban settings as well. Managing trees in all their settings for commercial, recreational or amenity value is a rapidly expanding area of the countryside sector with increasing awareness of the importance of caring for our tree stock and some of the threats its facing from novel diseases and alien invasive species and pests.

Jobs and employment

Typical jobs include Arboricultural Officer, Forestry Officer, Forest Worker and Tree Surgeon, the National Careers Service has role profiles of all of these and many more (click the links)

See current vacancies advertised with CJS here.

To gain the experience required volunteering is frequently a good start.

See current arboriculture volunteering opportunities advertised with CJS here.

See current countryside conservation volunteering opportunities advertised with CJS here.

Skills, training and CPD.

There are many different skills and qualifications required to work with trees,

• Chainsaw certification
• Working at height
• Specialist pruning e.g. fruit trees
• Veteran trees
• Tree identification (can be tricky in winter when most trees are leafless)
• Coppicing and pollarding management techniques

If you're thinking of a career working with trees there are details of longer courses, diplomas to MSc, on the Training Directory here.

Information and in depth articles

Ribble Rivers Trust launches 10-year campaign to plant half a million trees

The growing value of England's urban woodlands, The Mersey Forest

Valuing the benefits of urban trees for better greenspace management, Forest Research

Forestry - a fascinating topic and a hugely rewarding career, Bangor University

Amelia Williams, Tree Officer for Test Valley Borough Council - a typical day in my life

Ash Dieback - the threat to our non-woodland trees, The Tree Council

The Orchard Habitat, People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES)

Veteran trees - their importance & management, Ancient Tree Forum

Useful organisations

Arboricultural Association

Royal Forestry Society

Woodland Trust

Forestry England

Forestry and Land Scotland

Tree Council