How do you start a career in tree surgery?

[Fflint]

Hi, I'm currently looking into starting a career in tree surgery. I'm 26 and dont think i will be able to go to college etc, as I still have to pay the bills and all that but I've always loved working outdoors. I'm an experienced climber (rock, not trees!) and I've no problem with heights. I've started looking at getting chainsaw qualifications as I've been told that people wont be that interested unless i have them. So apart from those, what other qualifications do i need? and what is the best way to get into the industry under these circumstances? any ideas?

[Bob Rolfe]

a good start is to get your nptc cs30,31 38,39 these should get you a foot in the door and will only start you as a trainee its a quick learnig curve at the start and if you get with a good firm that gives you loads of experience within around 3-4 years you should be competent with some people its a little shorter and some its a lot longer depending on your aptitude but seen as youve got a sound knowledge of working with ropes and harnesses you may progress quickly i myself started with rock climbing in the late 70s when i was a young boy. if you do get a few knock backs stick with it and you will get the rewards. this it the best job in the world its hard work you get saw dust every where you go and you smell like a rugby players jock strap after work but its worth it

[Arborlord]

I would take a different route but with the same end.

 

Go work for an arb company first learn the job after your first 6months to a year go for your courses you will be better equipt to pass them.

 

Plus you will know if this is really the job for you & the company may pay for your courses result.

 

I had to pay for my own silly expensive but well worth it.

[stoxs]

Not sure what region you are in but the utility companies could be a good route, they often have more £££`s behind them to support training than small Arb companies.

Yes the work isn`t your big reductions or removals but it will give you masses of experiance and hopefully a good refferance to procced if utility arb isn`t for you.

I know Scottish Southern Energy were looking for staff in the southern half of the country.

If you need a contact number PM me and i will pass one on for you.

[Ian150482]

Are you from flint, n-wales?

[Fflint]

thanks guys, I'll look into the utilities companies, I actually phoned a lot of small companies and they all told me to get my chainsaw qualifications first as it would make me more desirable as a worker.

Unfortunately I'm based up north in the manchester, leeds, sheffield area. So working down south is not an option. am hoping to move to sheffield within the next month or so and start working towards it all from there, the idea being to start my own business within a couple of years.

No I'm not from fflint, its just a nickname i picked up cos of my welsh background!

[RWTS]

You might try the Princes Trust. They help guys get into careers and some years ago now they gave me a no interest loan to help out with some arb courses. Good luck with it RWTS

[Arborlord]

Does seam like a hell of a lot of tree companies pop out here there and every where now i wonder how this will affect the future.

[RWTS]

Thats a valid point. I remember when I first started as a groundsman, if you saw a arborist working your area that week is was abit of a shock, now I see 3 or 4 a day usually.

 

Dont like to be pessamistic but sooner or later they'll be no trees left

[MasterBlaster]

What, have they stopped growing? Have the seeds stopped being spread by the wind and birds?