Caring for trees can be quite dangerous work, especially when working at heights with a chainsaw on mature trees in gardens and parks across the UK. Many tasks that a tree surgeon performs are much more dangerous than what a typical gardener might do, so you may be wondering whether or not a tree surgeon needs a license to operate in the UK?
Do you need a license to be a tree surgeon in the United Kingdom?
The short answer is: no, a tree surgeon does not need a license to operate in the UK. Having said that, they do typically need numerous qualifications and certifications to perform specific tasks. The slightly longer answer is yes, they generally need a few licenses and certificates of competence for the tasks they routinely carry out.
There is an ever-growing demand for tree surgeons in the UK, so whether you’re a homeowner in need of a qualified tree surgeon near you or you’re aspiring to work as a tree surgeon or arborist in the UK, here’s what you ought to know about getting qualified.
Professional arboricultural certifications in the UK
To work as a tree surgeon in the UK, you should have practical skills and certificates of competence. Some of the most common certifications a tree surgeon should have include:
- City & Guilds NPTC and Lantra Awards certifications for things like chainsaw use, tree felling techniques, aerial tree rigging, using a chainsaw from a mobile elevated work platform, and many other specific certifications.
- The Royal Forestry Society Certification in Arboriculture (RFS Cert Arb) for apprenticeships and college-level courses.
- T-Levels in Agriculture, Land Management and Production with specific course modules for tree surgery (e.g. tree and woodland management and maintenance).
- International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification for internationally recognised qualifications that are routinely checked and updated.
- Certificates of competence in first aid, chainsaw use and maintenance, mobile elevated work platform use, Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), tree climbing, aerial rescue of conscious and unconscious people, wood chipper use, working at heights, and many other specific certificates.
- Vocational courses in tree surgery.
- Apprenticeships with gardeners, as farm labourers, or specifically with tree surgeons.
- University programmes in arboriculture, forestry, or land management.
While many of these are optional certifications that can expand the services which a tree surgeon can provide to clients, it is not exhaustive.
Tree surgeons should have at the minimum NPTC and Lantra Awards qualifications as well as any specific certificates needed for the task at hand.
Do you need higher education to become a tree surgeon?
A tree surgeon does not need higher education such as a university degree. Blended learning programmes, such as T-Levels, hands-on apprenticeships with theoretical learning interspersed throughout, and vocational college courses are all greatly beneficial.
University education is required for arboricultural professionals such as consultants who perform less on-site day-to-day tree works such as tree pruning and tree felling but rather more time in-office consulting for landscape contractors, land developers, requesting consent for works on protected trees, and so on.
For everyday tree surgeons who spend more than half their day climbing and working on trees, hands-on experience is needed at a minimum but vocational training is preferred. Tree surgeons don’t need to be experts at diagnosing specific diseases for every tree species, but they do need to have a general understanding of the tree species and its characteristics, how it will react when pruned or felled, and proper techniques for pruning and felling, for example.
Insurance and regulatory compliance
In addition to certifications, tree surgeons should also have proper insurance and abide by regulations which pertain to the type of work they intend to carry out.
In terms of insurance, the current government recommendation is that all tree surgery companies hold no less than £5m in employers and public liability insurance. Even a skilled tree surgeon could accidentally cause damage to property, so adequate insurance is a must.
Tree surgeons should always abide by British Standard 3998:2010 for tree works. While it is fine to advertise BS3998 compliance, it is not a certificate or a qualification but rather a commitment to abide by that standard.
They may also need to be aware of other regulations in place, particularly for wildlife and nesting birds which commonly inhabit trees, shrubs, and hedgerows. Violations of wildlife regulations in the UK can come with huge fines and potentially be considered a criminal offence, much like how recklessly felling a protected tree can lead to these penalties.
Become a TreeMend member today
Whether you’re looking to become a tree surgeon in the UK or you’ve already established your business, we strongly encourage you to leverage your online presence by joining TreeMend as a member partner.
