How to become a forestry and related worker
Official title: Forestry and related workers
Also called: Forestry worker, Forestry craftsman, Forestry contractor, Timber man, Care taker, Tree cutter, Wood cutter, Tree feller, Lumber jack, Head keeper, Park keeper, Tree lopper
Forestry workers perform a variety of tasks related to the planting, cultivation and protection of trees.
Main tasks
- Prepares ground for planting by clearing vegetation and other debris
- Drains and ploughs land and erects and maintains fences as necessary
- Collects seeds, plants and prunes trees and selects and marks trees for felling
- Fells trees using axe or power saw and saws wood into required lengths
- Cuts coppice, removes tops of standing trees and lops branches as necessary
- Assists in the control of harmful diseases, pests or forms of wildlife
- Builds and maintains forest roads
- Maintains watch for fires and operates firefighting equipment
How to become one
There are no minimum academic entry requirements. Training is typically received on-the-job, supplemented by short courses covering specialised skills. Vocational qualifications in Forestry and Arboriculture are available at levels 2 and 3, together with BTEC diplomas and apprenticeships in some areas.
Pay · Outlook
- Median full-time pay: £32,651 a year
Related jobs
Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz
Questions people ask
How do I become a forestry and related worker?
There are no minimum academic entry requirements. Training is typically received on-the-job, supplemented by short courses covering specialised skills. Vocational qualifications in Forestry and Arboriculture are available at levels 2 and 3, together with BTEC diplomas and apprenticeships in some areas.
How much does a forestry and related worker earn in the UK?
Median full-time pay is £32,651 a year (Office for National Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a forestry and related worker?
Not always. 51% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03