Tree surgeon
Climb, prune and fell trees safely, assess tree health and plant new stock in streets, parks, gardens and woodland. Also called an arborist.
- Salary£25,000 – £35,000
- Hours40 to 43 hours a week, sometimes weekends and at short notice
- Working for yourselfSelf-employment is possible
What the job is like
Tree surgeons, or arborists, look after trees in towns and the countryside. The job combines rope-and-harness climbing, chainsaw work and a real understanding of how trees grow, so you can spot hazards and decide what needs cutting back or taking down.
It is one of the more physical outdoor careers and safety is everything. Many people start as a groundworker helping a climbing team, then gain chainsaw and climbing certificates; there are also arborist apprenticeships, college courses and degrees in arboriculture and forestry.
What you'll do
- Inspect trees and identify hazards and signs of disease
- Climb trees using ropes and harnesses to prune or remove branches
- Fell trees and grind or remove stumps
- Plant new trees and check how established trees are doing
- Use, check and maintain chainsaws, ropes, harnesses and other kit
- Set up safe work zones near roads, homes and the public
- Help produce tree survey reports for clients
Where you'll work
- Outdoors
- Working at height
- In customers' homes
- In a team
Skills and hobbies that help
Weighted by how much they matter in this job, from the official job profile's skills and tasks. Tap one to see other careers that use it.
Key skills
Used a lot
Handy to have
Hobbies that give you a head start
How to become a tree surgeon
Apprenticeship
Arborist Level 2 apprenticeship (typically about 18 months) or Forest Craftsperson Level 3; Arboriculturist Level 4 for tree inspection and survey work
T Level
T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production
College
Courses in arboriculture or forestry and arboriculture; entry requirements vary
University
Foundation degree, HND or degree in arboriculture, forestry, countryside management or woodland ecology and conservation
Direct application
Start as a groundworker or forest labourer helping a qualified tree surgeon, and train on the job in chainsaws, ropes and harnesses
Qualifications, licences and cards
- A chainsaw Certificate of Competence if you carry out hazardous tasks with a chainsaw
- A driving licence is often needed to get to jobs
Where it can lead
- Supervisor or manager of a tree team
- Arboricultural officer
- Your own tree surgery business
- Recreational tree climbing, taking people into the treetops
Good to know
- You need to be comfortable working at height, outdoors in all weathers
- Volunteering with groups such as The Tree Council, Forestry England or the Woodland Trust can give useful experience
- The Arboricultural Association offers professional membership and training
Courses and training
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T Level
Find a T Level near you – T Levels (Department for Education)
Two-year technical courses for 16 to 19 year olds in England, with an industry placement of at least 315 hours. Search for schools and colleges offering the T Level you want.
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Apprenticeship search
Find an apprenticeship – GOV.UK
The official GOV.UK service for searching and applying for apprenticeship vacancies in England.
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Course search
Find a course – National Careers Service
The National Careers Service search for college and training provider courses in England, including Skills Bootcamps.
Official information
Sources
We checked these pages in September 2026. Rules, pay and courses change, so always confirm with the official source.
- National Careers Service: Tree surgeon nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/tree-surgeon
- Skills England apprenticeship: Arborist (Level 2) skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0223-v1-2
- Skills England apprenticeship: Forest craftsperson (Level 3) skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st1321-v1-1
- Skills England apprenticeship: Arboriculturist (Level 4) skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0921-v1-0
- HSE: tree work training and certification hse.gov.uk/treework/site-management/training.htm