Career Advice for a Tree Surgeon

Working as a Tree Surgeon, you will be responsible for the maintenance and care of trees, ensuring their health and safety.

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How to Become a Tree Surgeon

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Tree Surgeon

Should you wish to work as a Tree Surgeon you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Tree Surgeon

  • A Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture.
  • A Level 2 Award in Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-cutting.
  • A Level 3 Award in Aerial Tree Pruning and Rigging.
  • A Level 3 Award in Felling and Processing Trees over 380mm.

Key Responsibilities for a Tree Surgeon

  • Assessing the health and safety of trees.
  • Pruning, shaping, and removing trees using specialist equipment.
  • Identifying and treating tree diseases and pests.
  • Providing advice and guidance to clients on tree care and maintenance.
  • Working at height using ropes and harnesses.
  • Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.

What to expect as a Tree Surgeon

As a Tree Surgeon in the UK, you could work for local councils, landscaping companies, or as a self-employed contractor.

Recommended Tree Surgeon Jobs

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How to get Tree Surgeon Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Tree Surgeon job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Tree Surgeon application. If you have not held a Tree Surgeon position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Tree Surgeon role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Tree Surgeon CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Tree Surgeon application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Tree Surgeon in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Tree Surgeon 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Tree Surgeon and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Tree Surgeon experience.

How to get Tree Surgeon Experience

What does it take to be a Tree Surgeon? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Tree Surgeon jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Tree Surgeon through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Tree Surgeon Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Tree Surgeon part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Tree Surgeon or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Tree Surgeon freelance work

If you have impressive Tree Surgeon qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.