BWB 3 Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 looking for a career change have thought about tree surgery . I am just after some advice on whether its going to be the right thing to move into . Have looked at different courses at my local college and it seems to be alot of money to pay out to become qualified so one of my main questions i suppose is , is it worth it what sort of money would be expected first off . cant really afford to move into a job that pays less the i get already . what sort of money as you move up the ladder lol and what could be earnt if you if it was your own business live in the forest of dean so what would say the pay difference between tree surgery and forestry work i know in this area alot is done by machine now rather by hand in the forest . any advice appreciated thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waz77 15 Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 Hi mate,im a tree surgeon,it depends on what branch(no pun) of tree surgery you want to get into.If you want to work for the utilty side of things,eg clearing power lines,railways,waterways etc the training is fairly basic,you do a week long chainsaw course involving felling,saw maintenence etc at a cost of around £500,this will qualify you for a groundsman/chainsaw op,then you can do the climbing/ariel rescue course which is also a week long and around £500,plus using a chainsaw from a rope and harness,this will qualify you as a climber.Then you will need to do a course for the utility company that you will contract for,eg, electrical awareness for powerline clearance,pts card for railway line clearance etc.Theres loads of other courses you can do as you work yourself up the ladder but there the basic ones that you need.If you're working for a company all these courses will be paid for by them so basically if you can find someone willing to take you on you could be trained up in about 3weeks at no cost to yourself. Then theres the more indepth side of tree surgery/arboriculture which will involve a couple of years at college depending what course you opt for which will include things like,tree biology,identification,tree/soil relationship,water management,nutrition,tree instalation,pruning,climbing,tree laws etc. Hope this helps Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BWB 3 Posted January 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 Hi mate,im a tree surgeon,it depends on what branch(no pun) of tree surgery you want to get into.If you want to work for the utilty side of things,eg clearing power lines,railways,waterways etc the training is fairly basic,you do a week long chainsaw course involving felling,saw maintenence etc at a cost of around £500,this will qualify you for a groundsman/chainsaw op,then you can do the climbing/ariel rescue course which is also a week long and around £500,plus using a chainsaw from a rope and harness,this will qualify you as a climber.Then you will need to do a course for the utility company that you will contract for,eg, electrical awareness for powerline clearance,pts card for railway line clearance etc.Theres loads of other courses you can do as you work yourself up the ladder but there the basic ones that you need.If you're working for a company all these courses will be paid for by them so basically if you can find someone willing to take you on you could be trained up in about 3weeks at no cost to yourself. Then theres the more indepth side of tree surgery/arboriculture which will involve a couple of years at college depending what course you opt for which will include things like,tree biology,identification,tree/soil relationship,water management,nutrition,tree instalation,pruning,climbing,tree laws etc.Hope this helps Hi thanks for that could you give me a rough idea of wages staring off at a basic level and moving up cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mad al 146 Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 My brother in law works for a utility company as mentioned in a previous reply and he loves his job. Think he's on good money I can ask him over the weekend. He knows a fair bit about the surgery stuff now and like you mentioned, he too worked in the forestry at one time. What he also benefits from now is folk asking him to do the odd tree job as he now has the knowledge , all helps to keep the wolf from the door Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waz77 15 Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 I suppose it depends on where you're based,but around here a chainsaw op would be on around £7.50-£10 ph a climber around £9-£12 ph,team leader on about £12-£15 ph,thats working for someone,i suppose working for yourself the skies the limit depending on the amount of work you can get Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waz77 15 Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 Yeah you get asked to do plenty of fiddle jobs,i usually turn them down tho cos i'd rather be out with dogs at weekend Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waz77 15 Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 Which company you working for joe? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RatSnatcher 0 Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 Hello mate, I am a Landscaper although I do do tree work aswell, One thing to consider and I am sure the Lads here who are in the trade will back me on this that its one hell of a hard job cutting trees down is the easy part........but dragging all the waste too either your £10,000 chipper or piling it on the back of the truck is facking hard work make know mistake about that, I am only trying to put the reality to you mate, if you have an accident its gunna hurt, and when you reach my age of forty it suddenly doesn't seem as much fun and you start wondering how much longer you can do the job and what you will be doing beyond the 40+ mark If its the outdoor work you looking at maybe you should think about a trade that will last you a lifetime, not just your fit years Respect to all you tree surgeons you deserve it lads maybe landscaping would be a good choice for you. ...its different every day and you get great pleasure from looking at the oasis youv'e just built Best of luck BWB... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sighthound 49 Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 ........ One thing to consider and I am sure the Lads here who are in the trade will back me on this that its one hell of a hard job cutting trees down is the easy part........but dragging all the waste too either your £10,000 chipper or piling it on the back of the truck is facking hard work make know mistake about that, I am only trying to put the reality to you mate, if you have an accident its gunna hurt, and when you reach my age of forty it suddenly doesn't seem as much fun and you start wondering how much longer you can do the job and what you will be doing beyond the 40+ mark True very true, from a 44 year old knackered Sighthound who still aches from felling and clearing trees yesterday Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RatSnatcher 0 Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 Its a B$stard when you got to get up the next day and do it all again and then the next and.......then the...... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sighthound 49 Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 Its a B$stard when you got to get up the next day and do it all again and then the next and.......then the...... Ok that's enough I was in a good mood Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RatSnatcher 0 Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 Like I say Respect to you Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cragman 2,843 Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 I work for a Utility Company and like Waz has mentioned, I did the basic training first, up to using a chainsaw with a 15" bar. I've progressed now, up the tree as they say, and get asked now and then to do the odd favour. I don't do that much these days but it's nice to have the relevant ticket. Great job but hard work. The main thing is to be safe and wear all the kit. And the assessment's not easy either. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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