How to get into tree surgery

[Harry_Hall]

I'm just about to finish a teaching degree but have realised I'd much rather be working outside doing something active, and am thinking a job as a tree surgeon could be ideal. I've seen that there are various fast track courses or apprenticeships as ways into the job, but was wondering if anyone has any advice on starting off.  

[Stubby]

19 minutes ago, Harry_Hall said:

I'm just about to finish a teaching degree but have realised I'd much rather be working outside doing something active, and am thinking a job as a tree surgeon could be ideal. I've seen that there are various fast track courses or apprenticeships as ways into the job, but was wondering if anyone has any advice on starting off.  

My son has two degrees and had been a teacher at Emsworth school for a couple of years . He hated it in the end . For the last year he has been working for a company that does all sorts . Mostly clearence worrk on the railways but not exclusively . He just yesterday spiked up a tall tree in a water board compound and sectioned it down . He loves it and is now happy . Hope you can do the same . 

[Steven P]

Probably the most common advice given is to contact some local tree surgeons and see if one will take you on for a trial - you'll be pretty much labouring, not touching any tools but it gives a good insight into the work before you commit time and money training for something you might hate. However... given the number of (grumpy) old men on this forum... and as Stubby says you probably won't... so then look at training. They should know where locally provides the best training

[Mark J]

Get your chainsaw maintenance and crosscutting, felling small trees, and aerial rescue tickets, Scope out some local firms and offer your services. Best of luck. 

[GBTS]

Finish your degree and don't think about arb until it's done, just keep your head down and don't let the idea of greener fields ruin all you've put into the degree already.

Hopefully you'll get a decent degree and then afterwards youre still free to join the arb industry.

It's a great industry but having an exit strategy/ fall back can be great if you end up finding it's not for you or you have a serious injury (unfortunately not as uncommon as we all would like).

 

Otherwise the best thing I can say as a business owner is it's about attitude. Turn up on time, work hard, be honest and make an effort to get to know the others in the team and you'll be fine

[Steven P]

Fall back strategy... there is a demand out there for outdoors education which might combine outdoors / woodlands and your degree of course. Council ranger services perhaps who could put you through the relevant tree training - saws and so on.

 

GBTS last line - turn up, on time, ready to work, etc. is sound advice for all walks of life

[Mick Dempsey]

Don’t think he said he wasn’t going to finish the degree.

 

Anyway, work for someone as a drag slag for a few days, see if it’s really what you want.

 

Then get your basic tickets, do a climbing course, total cost 1.5 to 2k (ymmv)

 

Find a firm to take you on as a bottom of the rung sort of guy, work your way up over a few years.

 

 

 

[GarethM]

Finish the degree, gain the QTS status by teaching for a couple of years and use the summer holidays for training before looking for a escape.

 

You've spent 10-40k on university already.

[Tree monkey 1682]

Stick to teaching, , more money, easier deal and no shite weather 

[Steven P]

But you have to deal with teenagers all day long.