Primary Tree Surgeons – A Day in the Life

So, why did you choose tree surgery as a career?

In previous jobs, I had done quite a bit of rock climbing, so I came to it with that background.  I have a pretty low boredom threshold and what I love about tree surgery is that every day is different – each tree is unique and I enjoy the challenge.

You had some experience before you joined us, and you’d already put yourself through your accredited chainsaw training.  How did you get started?

I met someone at a party who was already in the business and patiently answered all my questions about it!  He gave me a day’s work experience to see if he could put me off, but I loved it.  I was impressed watching him hop around the tree and making it look so easy!   And I loved the atmosphere, the sounds, the smells and experience of working outside.

RF felling a mature Alder down to a 10’ stump, coached by AJ, on a wet day in May 

So what are the best bits of the job?

I like working at heights – the thrill of walking around in the tree.  But mostly it’s the satisfaction of seeing the product of your efforts at the end of the job, and the feedback from customers about that is really positive.

I also like the opportunity to keep learning.  As well as the practical climbing, I need to find out as much as I can about the trees, the pests, blights and diseases that affect them and how to treat them so I read up on that after I’ve worked on a tree in the day.

And what about the downsides?

Well, you’ve got to like working outside and in all weathers.   On days like this, you can be pretty wet all day.   This mud all over me wasn’t here this morning!   And you need to keep fit – my fitness level has improved a lot over the last couple of months.  

What do you think the benefits of training this way have been for you?

The more I’ve put in, the more I’ve got out of it.  I‘ve done some formal vocational training and got accreditations (CS tickets) in aerial rescue and in First Aid and I really enjoy the practical day-to-day work.  

I do want to keep learning and the formal training helps with that – I’d like to do my MEWP ticket next.   I need to broaden my tree knowledge and I can do that by researching what I’m actually doing in practice.  

It’s always a challenge to get enough coaching time with A and J (our most experienced climbers), but in the last couple of months I’ve got more confident with the small and medium sized trees and I’m doing more and more in the larger, mature trees – I can see that I’m making progress and I’ve been doing things that I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do before.   I’m enjoying the job and I look forward to getting out there in the morning.