Tree Surgeon/ Woodsman - 43776

Exciting opportunity for an estate Woodsman/ Tree Surgeon with strong skills to join an historical estate on the Berkshire / Surrey borders. The estate is privately managed and is set within 200 acres.  The gardens comprise a mix of mature and decorative ornamental features set within beautiful landscape. The estate has modern equipment and staff facilities.

Purpose

To support the existing Gardens team by providing in-house specialist knowledge/expertise in arboriculture and woodland management, and to assist with general grounds maintenance duties as required. Principal duties associated with the role, reporting to the Head Gardener, will include:

• Day-to-day management of existing small woodlands at various stages of rotation, including selective thinning and management of natural regeneration
• In close collaboration with the existing Gardens team, the ongoing management of the ‘woodland’ element of extensive, young, woodland gardens
• Planting and protecting young trees; weeding; managing irrigation; etc.
• A full range of tree management works including basic inspections and associated reporting and record-keeping; climbing; pruning; shaping; felling; etc.

Introducing such a role – in tandem with investing in further training for existing staff – would help to address the following skills gaps/capacity issues:

• ‘Woodland gardening’, particularly the selection and protection of natural regeneration, formative pruning, etc.
• Planting, establishing, and maintaining young trees
• Small-scale woodland management principles
• Increasing in-house arboricultural capabilities

Essential Criteria

• NPTC Forestry and Arboriculture Level 2 certificates [new codes] 201-210; 212-213; 253-254; 257-258 and Level 3 certificates 2101-2102; 2106-2109 (or equivalent qualifications)
• LANTRA/NPTC certificates in the use of brushcutters and trimmers, stump grinders, and woodchippers
• PA1 and PA6 pesticide certificates
• Basic first aid certificate
• At least three years’ experience in arboriculture and/or woodland management
• Demonstrable understanding of continuous cover forestry principles
• Experience of general grounds maintenance
• Full driving licence (including towing categories B+E)

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in amenity horticulture
• Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificate
• Any additional NPTC F&A certificates not listed above