Annual Salary
£21,000 to £34,000
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
Swap to Animal or Environment or go back to all job sectors or go to green jobs
Swap to Animal or Environment or go back to all job sectors or go to green jobs
Tree surgeons work in towns and the countryside, assessing tree health, removing branches, planting new stock and felling unsafe trees.
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
You could work: weekends; at short notice
There will be
1.8% more Tree surgeon jobs in 2027.
As a tree surgeon, you'll:
Green job
As a tree surgeon, you'll manage the health of trees so that they can grow and flourish. This can have a positive impact on the environment.
Find out more about green careers
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
You could work in parks and gardens, on the streets, in woodland or on rail tracks.
Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, at height, dusty and physically demanding.
You can get into this job through:
You can study for a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:
You'll usually need:
You could do a college course to get some of the skills and knowledge you need as a tree surgeon.
Relevant subjects include:
You could begin your career by doing an apprenticeship.
For example:
These usually take a minimum of 2 years to complete and combine on-the-job training with learning off site
You'll usually need:
You may be able to start as a forest labourer or groundworker, helping a qualified tree surgeon. You could then complete further training on the job in the use of chainsaws, ropes, ladders and harnesses.
These types of courses are offered by private training providers and further education colleges.
You might find it useful to get some experience of tree work before applying for jobs.
You can contact organisations like The Tree Council, Forestry England and the Woodland Trust about volunteering opportunities.
You'll need to:
You can join the The Arboricultural Association for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.
You can find more details about working with trees through The Arboricultural Association and the Royal Forestry Society.
With experience you could:become a supervisor or manager; train to be an arboricultural officer; start your own business; move into recreational tree climbing and take people into treetops as an outdoor activity
You can find more details about working with trees through The Arboricultural Association.
Tree Surgeons are needed specifically to work with the local authority, businesses and residents to help plant, protect and maintain trees, helping to improve and create new spaces for nature and wildlife across the West of England.
There are several different routes you can take to get into working as an tree surgeon which you can explore further in the 'Routes into this job' section above.
Click here for an explanation of the different course and apprenticeship levels.
Click here to find a local provider
Click here to search for a local apprenticeship
As a tree surgeon you could work for one of the many small landscaping companies in the West of England region, or you might set yourself up to work as a self employed contractor. For more local employment opportunities see the 'Live job vacancies by region' section above.
You'll need: