KateH

Hi Dan, ask away😊. I turned 50 last month and am very happy about it (the alternative being a bit rubbish). My point in the article isn't to get off the tools in your 30s but to start thinking ahead then and work out what the next step might be before it happens. There are jobs in the arb industry that will take people all the way to retirement but many of them take a little work in advance so it's worth thinking about in your 30s. As recruiters we just want people to have the option they want available to them. Climbers have often decades or amazing tree experience but might need a qualification or two to continue to use that experience from the ground. Cheers, Kate

Thanks for commenting Rich. My point wasn't to suggest that 30 is an age to stop. It was that if at that point a climber starts to plan ahead then they'll be prepared and able to go on to something they want to do when the time comes. We are often asked to find surveying roles by climbers who want to come off the tools. This is the reason for the post really. We're looking to start conversations and help people to work towards technical roles by having the right knowledge about what qualification/experience is needed for the roles they want. I have read the AA published article you mention and can completely understand the upset it caused. The emotive language alone is shocking. I think it's a real shame to see such division an industry made up by skilled and hardworking people and I am still struggling to understand it. I'll stop now as I've lots more to answer on this thread but I hope this helps you see where I'm coming from. Kate

Hi Tony, Thanks for the comment. Maybe I didn’t choose the right title. I’m certainly not suggesting getting off the tools at 30. More that by the time a climber is in their 40s if they haven’t thought ahead it’s harder to know where they’re going to go. i’m quite new to the industry and learning as I go. I’m totally prepared to accept that I’ve got things wrong but actually the points I’ve made do come up in our daily life at work in recruitment. it’s really interesting reading the responses. Thanks for engaging. Kate

That’s absolutely right. It’s just that not everybody works for a variety of employers. If the same person is paying you every week that’s an issue. I’m keen to hear these perspectives because we see it from a different side. Thanks for the comments, Kate

Thanks so much for the considered answer. It’s great to have an open discussion about these things and see it from different perspectives. I really appreciate you spending time. Have a great weekend 👍 Kate

Mick, your enthusiasm for our posts is much appreciated. Have an awesome weekend 👍

The UK arb community is a pretty small and specialist group. We really don’t have enough people coming into the industry, let alone moving through it, into the more technical, off the tools roles. We’ve been working in the recruitment side of the tree world for nearly 20 years and have seen a fair amount of change in that time. What do you think of the following tips? We’d love to know and hear your perspective. 1) Have respect for yourself and your fellow arborists. Hold each other up. Working on educating and enthusing people about the specialist roles you carry out will help to elevate the industry’s reputation. 2) Be professional. Whatever stage of your career you’re at it matters. We speak to employers every day and it’s the arborists who are reliable, communicate well and add to a team who get the best roles to progress their careers. 3) Be open to employment. By this we don’t mean working, we mean PAYE. Changes in how HMRC treats self-employment mean that a lot of subbie jobs are not above board. Could you be seen as a disguised employee? There may be fines to pay if you are. A day rate might sound amazing, but you could be skating on this ice and, apart from that, many of the benefits of employment (like the ability to get a mortgage, have holiday pay, sick pay, insurance, PPE... the list goes on) outweigh the risks of subbing. 4) Plan ahead. You may know a lot about trees and even have a Level 3 in Arboriculture, but you’ll need a Lantra Professional Tree Inspection course to really get going, so start to plan before you decide to down tools. Whether that’s your path or you’re interested in management roles there are things you can do to plan a soft landing – ask people in the know and imagine the future you want before you get there. 5) Spread the word. There just aren’t enough people in the arboriculture industry in the UK so if you love what you do spread the word. Whether it’s to school levers or those who want a career change, your enthusiasm for all things arb can become part of the future of the industry and, with people coming up the ranks, there will be those ready to step into your climbing shoes when the time is right for you. Comments very welcome! Thanks for reading, Kate & Beccy Photocredit @arbtalk Jonny_B

Yes. The idea is that we take a minute to understand where the applicant is in their career at the moment. What a good next step would be and whether one of the courses that tree life offer would help. I am working on making a form that could be filled in but we don’t want it to be too complicated or feel difficult. We would just like to make connections with people and support arborists as they head towards the latter half of their climbing career and consider getting off the tools. Does that make sense? I’m interested in making sure that we’ve got this right. From the angle we see it it’s a good opportunity but I’m very interested in your opinion. Thank you, Kate.

Hi Mick, the courses have different requirements, so between Tree Life and ourselves we’ll choose two winners who will be able to do the courses and benefit from them. Everyone who wants to can let us know where they are now and chat through where they think they might want to take their tree career. We’re there to help and advise as well as to hear views from a climbers and consultancy perspective. Hope that helps. Kate 😊

At APF 2022, in collaboration with Keely at Tree Life AC, we are offering information, support and two amazing prizes for the Arboriculture community. Our theme for the show is – 'Supporting arborists in creating a long and satisfying career in trees'. We want to help the aspiring Arborist who is aiming to get off the tools and head into their first technical role - working with trees, but from the ground. We know from many years in the industry talking to arb employers that the PTI is the course that helps consolidate a climbing Arborists’ CV The PTI (Professional Tree Inspector) is a 3-day course which is respected throughout the industry. In combination with a Level 3 in Arboriculture it gets you the leg up to an interview for a technical post - from climber to tree surveyor/tree officer and beyond. Now’s not the time? Not sure whether you’re ready? Or already have a PTI? Never fear – we are also offering a one-day Fungi course – another useful arb qualification. The prizes are being offered by Tree Life in collaboration with us and they are both courses which will support Arborists on their career path and other technical positions. For a chance to WIN either a Professional Tree Inspector course or a Fungi Recognition and Response course All you have to do is: TO ENTER: Either drop us a line at [email protected], follow and message us on Instagram or LinkedIn, or pop along at the show and say hello. That’s all! Once we’ve said hello back and had a short conversation, we’ll pop your name in the pot and you’ll be in with a chance to win. *Small print: The course financial values are £450+vat and £120+vat respectively but it’s the value to a career we’re interested in. There is no cash alternative – the winners will be decided by Tree Life and CTC Recruitment and the judge’s decision is final. We’re doing this to spread the word; start conversations; support Arb careers and the industry and hope you’ll approach the competition in the spirit intended – thanks. Winners will be annonced by the end of September. Links for further exploration: CTC Recruitment Ltd Tree Life AC Ltd Professional Tree Inspector course (PTI) Fungi 'recognition & response' 1 Day Course

At APF 2022, in collaboration with Keely at Tree Life AC, we are offering information, support and two amazing prizes for the Arboriculture community. Our theme for the show is – 'Supporting arborists in creating a long and satisfying career in trees'. We want to help the aspiring Arborist who is aiming to get off the tools and head into their first technical role - working with trees, but from the ground. We know from many years in the industry talking to arb employers that the PTI is the course that helps consolidate a climbing Arborists’ CV The PTI (Professional Tree Inspector) is a 3-day course which is respected throughout the industry. In combination with a Level 3 in Arboriculture it gets you the leg up to an interview for a technical post - from climber to tree surveyor/tree officer and beyond. Now’s not the time? Not sure whether you’re ready? Or already have a PTI? Never fear – we are also offering a one-day Fungi course – another useful arb qualification. The prizes are being offered by Tree Life in collaboration with us and they are both courses which will support Arborists on their career path and other technical positions. For a chance to WIN either a Professional Tree Inspector course or a Fungi Recognition and Response course All you have to do is: TO ENTER: Either drop us a line at [email protected], follow and message us on Instagram or LinkedIn, or pop along at the show and say hello. That’s all! Once we’ve said hello back and had a short conversation, we’ll pop your name in the pot and you’ll be in with a chance to win. *Small print: The course financial values are £450+vat and £120+vat respectively but it’s the value to a career we’re interested in. There is no cash alternative – the winners will be decided by Tree Life and CTC Recruitment and the judge’s decision is final. We’re doing this to spread the word; start conversations; support Arb careers and the industry and hope you’ll approach the competition in the spirit intended – thanks. Winners will be annonced by the end of September. Links for further exploration: CTC Recruitment Ltd Tree Life AC Ltd Professional Tree Inspector course (PTI) Fungi 'recognition & response' 1 Day Course

Oh dear 😂 Thanks for the entertainment Steve! We're a bit speechless here 😆

I heard that a young chap I've known for a few years is training to be an Arborist and was telling Beccy about one of his tattoos. It's a fabulous big ball of wool with crossed needles that says 'Knit fast - die warm'. We had a sneaky peek at arborist tattoos on Instagram... wow, it's definitely a thing! So we're wondering if any of you would like to share photos of your arb tattoos? Just for the fun of it. We do love what we do, finding work for tree people and tree people for jobs but it's always nice to have something fun to make us smile in the office. Thanks, Kate 😊

Good point, well made 🙄 😬

Tree climbing... I just couldn't find a good picture... 🙄Kate

Do you stretch before or after you climb? Do you think it helps to avoid injuries? If so what do you recommend are the best stretches? How long do you do it for? We're interested to know and will share what we learn in a blog if it seems like it would be useful to Arb Climbers generally. Thanks! Beccy and Kate Picture credit: Photo by Mars Williams on Unsplash

Our client is an established Tree Care business based in Bermuda who are now looking for a Climbing Arborist to assist their team with work all over the island. The work is mainly residential tree care with some landscaping and occasional utility work. Suitable candidates must have at least two years climbing experience and have tickets for aerial use of a chainsaw. You will be expected to drive but this will involve taking a test once in Bermuda to gain a local licence . You must have a clean police record and be over 21 years of age. The company will arrange the work permit and Visa for you which can take 3-6 months and provide the first months accommodation. In return, you will be paid from $26 BMD /hour gross ( £20/hour) for a 45 hour week with overtime available.Taxes and healthcare come in at circa 22% so similar to UK. Plus 20 holidays per year (inc Banks).Interviews would be held remotely via video call but general queries can be answered by contacting our office on [email protected] or 01743344466. Job ref: 2435

Wow, that's a coincidence! Thanks for sharing, my sister will love that! Kate😊

The Lebanese Cedar seems popular... I'll have a google and see why 😊

Thank you for sharing. It has surprised me how many memories I could drag up of Old Tom. It’s actually a lovely pastime of thinking back on trees I have known. My grandparents in Devon had a biloba which was useless for climbing but they loved it. I will think on 😊

When I was about 8-10 I lived in Gibraltar (40 years ago 😬). There was a tree behind our flat called Old Tom. I’m not sure what type of tree it was. It was great for climbing. It's still there; I've just checked on Google Maps. I was not a good climber but I could do some of the ‘crossings’ which all had a name. I can’t remember the name of them all but I could do ‘zebra crossing’. Only the older really competent climbers could do ‘Highest Point Crossing’. Looking up from my safe spot I would watch them cross nimbly from one branch to another, so high in the air. I can still remember exactly the base of the tree and where the trunk divided and left a gap in the middle for your foot. And the lumps it had kindly grown, like on a climbing wall, to help me up. I don’t remember there being an amazing view. It probably wasn’t very tall anyway. I think when we were in the tree we didn’t look out of it, being in the tree was the excitement. Sadly I don’t have a picture of it but my sister Valerie says she can send me one. This is her memory of it: Highest point crossing was terrifying, you had to swing your legs and loop them over the next branch and then grab the branch above in the middle and swing across. I can't believe we used to do it! There were 3 knobbles, left, right, left up the two boughs, to get to the first proper branch on the right, I remember those knobbles very clearly! Someone fell out trying it, Fraser? Not sure, but remember his being terribly winded and me realising just how dangerous it was. Marjorie the doll tried a few times after that but I don't think I ever did again. My brother remembers being too little to climb it but once leaning his bike against it in an effort to use it as a ladder. I don't think it worked. He was only 4. Do you have a favourite tree you'd like to share? Have a good week 😊 Kate (& Beccy)

Hi Mark, which photo is it please? Or which is the wrong name? I'm struggling to see where to correct it. Thank you! Kate

Can you correct me please? If you could drop the photo in below I’ll sort it sorry! Kate

COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCED! 🥳 Thank you for every entry; we've enjoyed them all (one did make us blush though 😂). We've summarised and announced the winners and those which we especially enjoyed in the blog below. We'll also message the winners via Arbtalk messages. If you'd like to see the photos on Instagram we're at https://www.instagram.com/ctcrecruitment/ and would love a follow and to credit every photo. Feel free to message me if we don't have your details to do that. Thanks again and look forward to more chats soon! Kate and Beccy 😊 Arb Photograph Competition - Winners & more - News - CTC Recruitment WWW.CTCRECRUITMENT.CO.UK Arb Photograph Competition - Winners & more - News When we asked Steve Bulman from Arbtalk about running a photograph competition we had no idea how many fab...

Thank you Mike, that’s great to know. I’ll be in touch 😊 Kate