A Forest Ranger promotes awareness of the forest and protects and conserves the natural environment.

The role is usually within local authorities or Forestry Commission Scotland. Some large charitable organisations or commercial estates also employ forest rangers to lead in education and conservation projects. The work can be very varied and may include a mixture of practical forestry work and site management. Successful forest rangers are enthusiastic communicators and passionate about nature and conservation.

The practical work undertaken by Forest Rangers may include environmental assessments, field surveys, and managing habitats to maintain favourable conditions for wildlife. 

They may also be called upon to make sure footpaths, bridleways and other public access areas are safe and to make minor repairs to gates, fences, stiles, walls, footpaths and picnic tables.

Forest Rangers may need to organise events, activities and projects to raise awareness of environmental conservation and increase community involvement. These activities may include environmental and conservation projects, or working with school groups on education activities.

Managerial work undertaken can involve marketing and control of budgets, preparing applications for funding or assessing planning applications. Forestry Rangers may also be involved in the recruitment and supervision of staff and volunteers.

Other work may involve managing exhibitions and visitor centres, and patrolling sites to ensure the responsible enjoyment of the woodland, reduce crime and protect the public and wildlife.

A Forest Ranger can also be called on to help tackle forest fires.

Depending on the area covered, there may be a significant amount of travelling between different sites. A driving licence may be required.

Working Conditions 

Work can be physically demanding and Forest Rangers need to be prepared to work outdoors in a range of weather conditions.  

Forest Rangers typically work full-time. However, the hours may vary, and weekend or Bank Holiday work may be required.

Next steps

It may be possible to progress to higher grades within similar roles, taking on greater supervisory responsibility. However, this will vary depending upon the nature of the employer.

Progression beyond the role will tend to be into a more managerial role, which will involve less ‘hands-on’ practical work.

Useful links

Arboricultural Association

Chartered Foresters

Confederation of Forest Industries

Forestry Commission Scotland

My world of work

Royal Forestry Society

A Forestry Consultant usually works in the private sector advising clients on the selection, health, maintenance and marketing of trees and timber.  They can be brought in to advise on any aspect of forest or woodland management, conservation and timber trading. The role is varied. They must have skills and experience to manage forests and woodlands according to the wide range of objectives of the owners.

They will undertake inspections and surveys, preparing reports for their clients. These may be on individual or stands of trees or on the management of whole tracts of forest or woodland. They might make recommendations as to the work required, including the selection of species, control of wildlife (such as deer), identification of timber to be harvested and the potential markets available for harvested timber. 

Forestry Consultants will also be able to identify, and advise on the management or control of diseases affecting trees, particularly where the quality and durability of the cut timber might be reduced. 

They must also have a good working knowledge of sustainable forestry and forest conservation guidelines, such as the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme, to ensure the work they are recommending in a forest meets high standards of environmental quality and protection.

Working Conditions 

This is a highly varied career that involves both indoor and outdoor work. The outdoor work is in a range of weather conditions. Depending on the area covered, there may be a significant amount of travelling between different sites to inspect trees at different locations; therefore a full driving licence is likely to be a requirement of the job. 

Forestry Consultants typically work full-time. However, the hours may vary, and weekend, evening or Bank Holiday work can be required.

Next steps

Most people starting out in the role of Forestry Consultant will work for an established practice. Where it is possible to build up a client base there is always the option for enterprising individuals to become self-employed, establishing their own consultancy company.

Forestry consultants who have completed a level 4 qualification (or above) and worked for a number of years at a managerial level can seek to gain chartered status through the Institute of Chartered Foresters.

Useful links

Arboricultural Association

Chartered Foresters

Confederation of Forest Industries

Forestry Commission Scotland

My world of work

Royal Forestry Society

A tree surgeon is a climber who takes part in all the areas of tree work. Duties will primarily include domestic, commercial, street or park tree pruning and removals. In some situations, work duties can also include tree planting, tree hazard assessment, diagnosis, and pest control.

The tree surgeon's work really begins once they have climbed into the tree.

In addition to tree pruning, branch removal and felling, they may also undertake work such as cable bracing and inspections to assess the health of trees. Work is usually done from a rope and harness but may involve the use of mobile elevated work platforms.

Duties may also include landscape and other non-arboricultural duties such as tree and shrub planting.

Working Conditions 

Work can be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

Tree surgeons typically work full-time.  However, the hours may vary and weekend or Bank Holiday work can be required. Some work for a company while many are self-employed.

Depending on the area covered, there may be a significant amount of travelling between different sites.

Next steps

With experience and training, new entrants to the arboricultural industry should progress to undertake work as a basic tree worker and they may then train as a Climber. 

Climbers may train to work from a mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) as well as being able to use a rope and harness. 

As they gain experience they might choose to take further training and assessment to be able to undertake tree bracing, tree dismantling (sectional felling), felling of large trees and various other skills.

Although the career structure will vary depending on the organisation, an experienced climber may be able to progress to the role of Team Leader.  Some workers may specialise by working in areas of tree care such as commercial or utility arboriculture.

Useful links

Arboricultural Association

Chartered Foresters

Confederation of Forest Industries

Forestry Commission Scotland

My world of work

Royal Forestry Society

An Arboricultural Surveyor could work for a local authority, a private company, or  be self-employed. Within a local authority the role may sit within the planning or parks section. This position requires a strong working knowledge of arboriculture.

Duties include:

• Providing a specialist arboricultural service
• Surveying managing and maintaining trees
• Producing site reports
• Managing trees in relation to planning applications and on construction sites
• Advising on Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Areas.

Surveyors may also need to help with things like landscape advice and providing support to clients or other departments on large scale projects.

Working Conditions 

You must be fit and able to work outdoors in poor weather conditions and a range of terrains.

Arboricultural surveyors typically work a standard full-time week. However, the hours may vary and weekend or Bank Holiday work can be required.

Depending on the area covered, there may be a significant amount of travelling between different sites.

Next steps

Experienced Arboricultural Surveyors may be able to progress to consultancy or to become an assistant Arboricultural Officer.

Useful links

Arboricultural Association

Chartered Foresters

Confederation of Forest Industries

Forestry Commission Scotland

My world of work

Royal Forestry Society

An Arboricultural Officer job is typically at managerial level within a local authority, possibly within the planning or parks section. Arboricultural Officers have varied roles and usually deal with the general public and with the local authority tree stock. They will work on tree-related issues in planning of developments, with Tree Preservation Orders, may represent the local authority in court on tree matters and deal with enquiries from the general public about council trees.

Working Conditions 

Individuals must be able to work outdoors in varied weather conditions.

Arboricultural Officers typically work a standard full-time week. However, the hours may vary and weekend or Bank Holiday work can be required. There may be self-employed and consultancy opportunities available for well experienced arboriculturists.

Depending on the area covered, there may be a significant amount of travelling between different sites.

Next steps

Experienced Arboricultural Officers may look to progress into consultancy.

Useful links

Arboricultural Association

Chartered Foresters

Confederation of Forest Industries

Forestry Commission Scotland

My world of work

Royal Forestry Society

An Arboricultural Consultant usually works within the private sector advising a range of public and private clients on the selection, health and maintenance requirements of trees.  They can be involved, alongside landscape architects, in the preparation of planting schemes for new developments, but will usually be brought in to ensure the safety and health of established trees on a site.

The role can be varied. They will undertake tree inspections and surveys and prepare reports for clients, on individual trees or on all the trees within a site. On the basis of this survey, they will make recommendations about work required to manage the tree.

On development sites, where established trees are endangered by construction work, the arboricultural consultant may be required to specify measures needed to protect trees from damage.

In cases of dispute, or where trees or tree roots have caused damage or injury, arboricultural consultants can be involved in court proceedings as expert witnesses. They also may do reports for mortgages. 

Working Conditions 

Whilst this is largely an office based job, consultants should be fit and may be required to work outdoors in a wide range of weather conditions.

Depending on the area covered, there may be a significant amount of travelling between different sites to inspect trees at different locations; therefore a full driving license may be a requirement of the job.

Arboricultural Consultants typically work a standard full-time week. However, the hours may vary and weekend, evening or Bank Holiday work can be required.

Next steps

Most people starting out in the role of Arboricultural Consultant will work for an established practice or within a local authority where it is possible to build up a client base.

They can then become self employed, establishing their own consultancy company.

Arboriculturists who have completed a level 4 qualification (or above) and worked for a number of years at a managerial level can seek to gain chartered status through the Institute of Chartered Foresters.

Useful links

Arboricultural Association

Chartered Foresters

Confederation of Forest Industries

Forestry Commission Scotland

My world of work

Royal Forestry Society