Most people hear 'arborist' and picture someone with a chainsaw halfway up an oak tree. That is part of it. But it doesn’t come close to describing what the profession actually involves. Also known as a tree surgeon, an arborist is a trained specialist in the care and management of trees, shrubs and woody plants.
The role spans everything from practical climbing and surgery to disease diagnosis, risk assessment and formal reports for planning applications. It’s a skilled career with real demand behind it, and good people in the sector are consistently hard to find.
This profile covers what the role involves day to day, how to get into it, what you can expect to earn and where arborists work.
What does an arborist do?
The day-to-day reality of the role is considerably more varied than most people assume. At its core, arboriculture is about the health and safety of trees. But that covers a wide range of activities depending on seniority and setting.
Typical responsibilities include:
Pruning, crown lifting, crown reduction and formative shaping of trees
Felling and processing trees safely, including in confined or complex spaces
Stump grinding and removal
Inspecting trees for disease, structural defects and safety risks
Writing tree survey reports and arboricultural impact assessments
Advising on tree preservation orders and planning applications
Supervising site teams and managing health and safety on site
Liaising with clients, councils, developers and solicitors on tree-related matters
At senior and consultancy level, the work shifts from hands-on practical operations toward technical advisory and report writing. Lots of experienced arborists specialise in this space entirely, producing expert assessments for local authorities, developers, insurers and legal teams.
The training path into arboriculture
There is no single entry route into arboriculture, which makes it more accessible than many people expect.
Most practical arborists hold City & Guilds NPTC or Lantra chainsaw and arboriculture certificates, which are the industry standard for site-based work. These cover different aspects of chainsaw operation and aerial tree work, and employers will expect to see the relevant units before placing anyone on a live site.
College-level programmes are offered by institutions such as Myerscough College and Merrist Wood. These include both Level 2 and Level 3 courses in arboriculture. For those wanting a degree-level qualification, Myerscough offers a BSc (Hons) in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry.
If you want to move into consultancy or senior roles, the ISA Certified Arborist qualification is internationally recognised and increasingly valued by employers and clients. Membership of the Arboricultural Association is also widely regarded as a marker of professionalism across the industry.
For a deeper look at all available routes into the profession, read our How to Become an Arborist guide.
Arborist salary expectations for the UK
As you’d expect, arborist salaries in the UK vary by role type, experience and location. But the career offers competitive earnings, even at every level.
Trainees and arboricultural assistants typically start between £20,000 and £25,000. You then move up to skilled climbing arborists with a few years of experience and the right qualifications, who generally earn between £28,000 and £38,000. In fact, arborist climbers average around £34,850 nationally, according to this 2024/25 salary data.
Senior arborists, tree officers and team leaders can expect £35,000 to £50,000, while arboricultural consultants typically earn between £40,000 and £60,000. As for self-employed operators and business owners, you have the potential to earn considerably more. Established sole traders commonly reach £50,000 to £65,000 or above depending on their client base and volume of work.
Naturally, London and the South East command higher salaries due to demand and cost of living. Entry-level London roles average closer to £27,000 and senior positions reach well above the national benchmarks.
Where do arborists work?
The range of employers in arboriculture is broader than most people realise. Common settings include:
Tree surgery contractors, from small independents to large national operators
Local authorities, managing urban tree populations and public open spaces
Utility companies, maintaining clearance around power lines and infrastructure
Historic estates, private landholdings and national parks
Environmental and arboricultural consultancies
Housing associations and property management companies
Self-employment or running an independent business
Of course, each setting has a different pace and focus. Contracting tends to offer more variety and physical challenge. On the flipside, local authority and consultancy roles tend to be more structured and report-heavy. Many arborists move between settings over the course of their career as their priorities and skills evolve.
For a broader overview of the roles and opportunities available across this part of the sector, explore our Groundcare, Amenity and Forestry disciplines page.
Frequently asked questions
Is a tree surgeon an arborist?
In practice, the two terms are largely interchangeable in the UK. 'Tree surgeon' is the term most commonly used by the public, while 'arborist' and 'arboriculturist' are more widely used within the industry itself. An arboriculturist can also refer specifically to someone working at a more technical or consultancy level, carrying out surveys and producing expert reports rather than hands-on practical work.
What is the difference between an arborist and a tree surgeon?
The terms mean the same thing in most practical contexts. A distinction is sometimes drawn between hands-on site-based work (tree surgeon or arborist) and the more technical, advisory end of the profession (arboriculturist). In reality, many professionals move across both areas as their careers develop.
Do you need a degree to become an arborist?
No. The majority of arborists enter the profession through practical routes, either as trainees with a tree surgery contractor or through college-level arboriculture programmes at Level 2 or Level 3. A degree isn’t required for site-based work. It becomes more relevant for those pursuing consultancy, research or academic pathways. As mentioned above, institutions like Myerscough College offer degree routes for those who want them.
Let's find you the right arborist role
From newly qualified climbers to senior consultants, I’ve placed people into arboricultural roles at every level. It remains one of the most rewarding parts of the land-based market to work in. Believe me, good arborists are genuinely hard to find, and the right role makes a real difference.
Agricultural Recruitment Specialists is the UK's leading recruitment agency for agriculture, horticulture, food and the wider land-based sector. Founded in 2012, we have built a database of over 80,000 candidates and placed people from graduate level right through to board-level appointments. Our job is to find you the right role, not just any role.
If you’re looking for arborist jobs right now, browse our current groundcare, amenity and forestry vacancies. For a deeper look at how to build a career in arboriculture, read our How to Become an Arborist guide. Not ready to apply just yet? Sign up for job alerts and get suitable roles straight to your inbox.
