How to Become a Tree Surgeon | Artemis Tree Services

Arboriculture is a great career choice for people who enjoy being outdoors and who have a genuine interest in trees. As a tree surgeon, you’ll be protecting, maintaining and nurturing trees and shrubs – not just chopping them down. You will be handling heavy-duty machinery, will need to have a good head for heights and be happy working outside in all weather conditions.

Think you’ve got what it takes? This article will explain everything you need to know about getting started, including how you can train with Artemis Tree Services through our Academy.

What are the responsibilities of a tree surgeon?

Before you apply to become a tree surgeon, you need to make sure you’re up for the job. Tree surgeons offer a wide range of services, meaning day-to-day tasks can vary dramatically.

Here are just a few of the responsibilities of a tree surgeon:

Inspection and surveys of trees and surrounding areas
Carrying out health assessments on trees
Trimming and pruning trees, hedges and shrubs
Felling and removing trees
Grinding out stumps
Competent use of machinery
Site clearance and tidying

You will need to have a good basic level of fitness, be excellent at working as part of a team and be able to follow procedures.

Do you need qualifications to become an Arborist?

Tree surgery can be a dangerous job and requires training to ensure you can perform your job safely.

Your first step to becoming a tree surgeon will be to attain the initial basic qualifications to allow you to work as a groundsman and gain important experience working on the ground assisting a climber. You can then progress and complete further training to become a fully qualified climber. You can do this by taking a relevant university or college qualification or enrolling on an apprenticeship.

Some courses you might choose to take at a college or university include:

Level 2 Certificate in Arboriculture
Level 2 Work-based Trees and Timber
Level 3 Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture

Apprenticeships are often a great choice, as they allow you to take an NVQ qualification during your placement. You’ll learn on the job and gain valuable qualifications along the way.

The Artemis Academy offers a 2-year apprenticeship scheme that has been carefully crafted to generate some of the best newly qualified arborists in the business.

With the Artemis Academy you’ll get:

A real job with a salary
Hands-on experience
An experienced workplace mentor
Full qualification on completion
Transferable skills that open up long-term career prospects
Level 2 Certificate in Arboriculture

What qualities do you need to succeed?

Not everyone is suited to being a tree surgeon. Ideally, you’ll need these qualities to succeed in the role:

Attention to detail
Good team player
Calm in stressful situations
Willing to adjust your work schedule as necessary
Basic level of strength and overall fitness
Able to follow instructions from a team leader
Adaptable and keen to take on whatever a job requires, large or small
Good communication skills for coordinating with team members and liaising with clients
Awareness of health and safety issues
Good with machinery
Patient and polite with the general public

Are you interested in becoming a tree surgeon? Come along for a trial to see if being an arborist is for you before you sign up for the Artemis Academy and see just how high you can climb. Everything you need to jumpstart your career is available as part of the apprenticeship.

Fill out the application form here to get started. Or get in touch with the Artemis Tree Services team for more information.

5 rating based on

622 reviews

Excellent

Mark

What a find, a totally professional experience from start to finish. The level of service is second to none. The survey outlined what would be required, advised on any contact for consent from neighbo... What a find, a totally professional experience from start to finish. The level of service is second to none. The survey outlined what would be required, advised on any contact for consent from neighbours if required and what the short and long term expectations would be. The team that undertook the extreme pruning of fir trees on the boundary of my property were polite, engaging, professional and made sure I was happy with the end result. Never having had to engage a tree services before I had no idea of pricing and was more than surprised at the value for money. Meticulously clearing up afterwards and removing all debris the same day. Plus points, everything, negative points, none. I would most highly recommend.

2 days ago

Roland

This is the first time i have used any Tree service , and Artemis were totally brilliant . I needed some fir trees trimmed back as they were overgrowing the border fence . From the very first contact ... This is the first time i have used any Tree service , and Artemis were totally brilliant . I needed some fir trees trimmed back as they were overgrowing the border fence . From the very first contact right through to the completion of works their whole team were always prompt and on time , professional , knowledgeable and efficient . There was regular communication and reminders leading up to the booked appointment . During the initial survey and appointment everything was explained and my inquisitive questions engaged and answered. They completed the work and cleared up everything . Great service and would definitely use them again .

2 weeks ago

Anonymous

Top service from start to finish. Surveyor came round to check the job and give thoughts. Set up was thorough as we needed to get permits, keys for a shared gate and the ok from neighbours. Two guys t... Top service from start to finish. Surveyor came round to check the job and give thoughts. Set up was thorough as we needed to get permits, keys for a shared gate and the ok from neighbours. Two guys that did the work were friendly, organised and probably left the garden looking tidier than when they started. Thoroughly recommended.

1 month ago

Matt O'Neill

Very easy to deal with at both office & on-site. Good process flow from quoting through to invoice. Safe, professional & considerate staff when on-site too.... Very easy to deal with at both office & on-site. Good process flow from quoting through to invoice. Safe, professional & considerate staff when on-site too.

2 months ago

David

Very pleasant staff. Punctual and efficient. Carried out good job, communicated very well with neighbour, and cleaned up well. A fair price as well....

Doug

As a direct neighbour to tree felling and garden clearance work being carried out by Artemis yesterday in by Harrow, I can’t speak highly enough of their skill, hard work, considered approach and cour... As a direct neighbour to tree felling and garden clearance work being carried out by Artemis yesterday in by Harrow, I can’t speak highly enough of their skill, hard work, considered approach and courtesy. A great team who I would not hesitate to use myself.

3 months ago

Paul

I thought the Artemis team were absolutely brilliant. From coming to quote , prompt , and cutting back 2 oak trees they did a highly Professional and excellent job.... I thought the Artemis team were absolutely brilliant. From coming to quote , prompt , and cutting back 2 oak trees they did a highly Professional and excellent job.

Jill, Pinner

Efficient, thorough. Listened to what we wanted and carried out expertly. All v neat and tidy. Good job all round....

J M

Thank you Artemis for your excellent tree surgery work as part of ongoing maintenance over many years. The garden poses problems, but as ever the team were cheerful, efficient and everything was carri... Thank you Artemis for your excellent tree surgery work as part of ongoing maintenance over many years. The garden poses problems, but as ever the team were cheerful, efficient and everything was carried out exactly as planned. I shall continue to recommend Artemis.

4 months ago

Green hill housing

we have had work done with them and they do a wonderful job, from start to finish everything was perfect again, not a leaf leaf left behind, workmen were polite and professional.... we have had work done with them and they do a wonderful job, from start to finish everything was perfect again, not a leaf leaf left behind, workmen were polite and professional.

Jan

Artemis took down two lime trees who's roots had damaged the garage floor and were an inch away from the foundations of the house . The trees were in a very awkward place to get to but this didn't see... Artemis took down two lime trees who's roots had damaged the garage floor and were an inch away from the foundations of the house . The trees were in a very awkward place to get to but this didn't seem to trouble this highly competent team. The team were extremely well equipped , and they worked together like a well oiled machine. We were delighted with their work, tidiness and very pleasant manner. And it was at a fair price.

David Pooley

Excellent value, great work on a terrible day...good lads!...

5 months ago

Diana Stuckey

Excellent service with experienced people who did an excellent job of pruning my tree. Would definitely use them again....

Jonathan

Martin and Luke arrived on time They were polite and did the job to my total satisfaction and cleared up Took the time they said it would when they arrived Well done!... Martin and Luke arrived on time They were polite and did the job to my total satisfaction and cleared up Took the time they said it would when they arrived Well done!

Phil

Very professional job. The man in charge was excellent. Did the job exactly as we wanted it. Would highly recommend....

6 months ago

I have used Artemis a number of times and always feel confident that they offer an excellent service all the way through from the first visit to the final clearing up. They are knowledgeable, profess... I have used Artemis a number of times and always feel confident that they offer an excellent service all the way through from the first visit to the final clearing up. They are knowledgeable, professional and friendly. They do great job and I would highly recommend.

7 months ago

Friendly staff. Work carried out efficiently. Left the area clean and tidy. Would definitely recommend Artemis....

Chris

Artemis are very efficient, knowledgeable, professional and easy to deal with....

This was the first time we have used Artemis, and the whole process from initial enquiry through to completion was very easy. We would definitely recommend their services, and will be using them again... This was the first time we have used Artemis, and the whole process from initial enquiry through to completion was very easy. We would definitely recommend their services, and will be using them again I'm sure.

8 months ago

Natasha

Fantastic service from your team at Artemis. We needed a tree in our garden heavily crowned, having let it grow far too tall. We couldn’t be happier with the work done; the team were so professional, ... Fantastic service from your team at Artemis. We needed a tree in our garden heavily crowned, having let it grow far too tall. We couldn’t be happier with the work done; the team were so professional, really lovely and left our garden tidier than it was before they arrived. We won’t hesitate to recommend Artemis to anyone needing tree work done

Excellent service from first quote to final job. Very good communications and reminders so I knew exactly when they were arriving. Polite and hard working team who cleared up perfectly. Would definite... Excellent service from first quote to final job. Very good communications and reminders so I knew exactly when they were arriving. Polite and hard working team who cleared up perfectly. Would definitely recommend.