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Do you know the difference between forestry and arboriculture?
Forestry is the science and practice of planting, managing and harvesting wood and timber.
Arboriculture is the practice of cultivating and managing trees in urban environments such as, parks, community gardens and private properties.
There can be some overlap but generally foresters manage woodlands and timber on a larger scale and arborists look after trees in green spaces. Both careers offer a diverse and challenging environment with broad opportunities.
Forestry contributes 19.3 billion to the UK economy and employs around 560,000 workers. As such, it makes a significant contribution to the UK’s economy, environment, and culture.
However, what we need from forests and how we design and plant them might well be different in future, and so the sector needs talented, smart and enthusiastic people to design the landscapes of tomorrow. New technologies will also allow us to plan and monitor smartly over a bigger scale than ever before.
Forestry is one of the most exciting and diverse sectors to work in. It is incredibly important to our economy, environment and to our communities. This information pack has been created to support you and make sure you have the key information in one place as you start your journey into the modern world of trees and timber.
In 2021, forest and woodland cover in the UK was estimated to be 3.23 million hectares, equivalent to nearly
8 million football pitches. This represents 13% of the total land area of the UK, 10% in England, 15% in Wales, 19% in Scotland and 9% in Northern Ireland.
Forestry will play a big part in helping to mitigate climate change, by locking carbon up in growing trees, whilst at the same time providing habitats for flora and fauna and supporting biodiversity. More woodlands will also provide us with places to walk and cycle, which help us to stay healthy and connect with nature. Forests also produce a sustainable, renewable, biodegradable product – wood! While it can be turned into lots of things already, like paper, card, plastic alternatives and even to replace steel in building, it also has a low carbon footprint. Our growing awareness of what’s best for our planet means that the use of wood and the products it’s made from can only increase.
Use the download below to learn all about UK tree identification, forestry and arboriculture.
H&W Training have put together maps to highlight the various training pathways to different careers within the arboriculture and forestry industries.
The two main accreditation bodies for training in forestry and arboriculture are City & Guilds and LANTRA. Download copies of all three maps below!
Download your own copy of the training maps and help plan your next steps
Download your own copy of the training maps and help plan your next steps
Download your own copy of the training maps and help plan your next steps
The Forestry Commission and Forestry England have commissioned a range of resources to help you find a career in forestry that suits your passions and skills. Find more of the resources and guidance here.
You could work in passionate teams on projects such as peatland restoration, species reintroductions (including beavers, pine martens and white-tailed eagles) and landscape-scale wilding projects. Many of these have specialist project officers that work alongside ecologists, wildlife rangers and foresters.
You could have a career planning sustainable timber growth, based on evidence and research. There are roles that are involved in the full forest lifecycle, from collecting seeds to growing saplings at nurseries, and then planting and harvesting trees when the time is right.
The forestry sector is constantly researching and testing new management approaches and embracing new technology to work smarter and safer, including LiDAR (light detection and ranging), drones, and environmental DNA.
Would you like to be a professional drone operator? Or maybe you're up to the challenge of working with border control to help reduce the import of tree pests and diseases?
Forestry England alone welcome 285 million visits to the nation's forests each year, thanks to a dedicated and skilled team working behind the scenes and on the ground. From ensuring visitor safety and supporting recreational activities to organising marketing campaigns and designing signage, forestry offers a wide range of roles beyond forest management.
There are exciting paths in marketing, communications, graphic design, finance, and more; perfect for those who want to contribute to a dynamic and impactful organisation but don’t necessarily want to work out in the forest.
The Institute of Chartered Foresters is the Royal Chartered body for tree professionals in the UK. It champions the highest standards of practice, education, and training across the sector. The Institute’s mission is to inspire excellence and support forestry professionals in making a positive impact on the environment and society.
The Institute of Chartered Foresters have a range of useful articles and information about careers in the sector and pathways for entry into the sector.
Discover the world of forestry with the Institute of Chartered Foresters and Forestry Commission. Explore woodland planning, forest management, conservation, and career pathways. Gain practical skills and insights into this vital sustainable industry.
Use the downloadable map and links to find more information about the pathways into a career in forestry
This video is from the Forestry Commission careers programme and highlights the range of careers available and the joy they can bring.
LANTRA offer careers advice on a wide range of land based industries, including arboriculture and forestry.
They have also commissioned a range of interviews with professionals to help give a real-world perspective of what it is like to work in the industry and the range of pathways available to enter the industry.
LANTRA have commissioned an interview with Dane, a professional Tree Surgeon who owns his own business. In the video Dane highlights the range of careers in forestry and the variety that working in the sector gives him. He also provides some tips on how to get into the industry and he highlights some of the pathways available.
Search the LANSS database for your next course in arboriculture or forestry.
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