The professional management of trees and woodland is vital for the sustainable development of our countryside, urban spaces, and for conservation.
Our forestry and arboriculture qualifications are a great route into a career in the tree care and woodland professions. No two days at college are ever the same and you’ll spend at least half of your study time hands-on taking part in practical activities.
From tree climbing and learning best practice for tree care on campus to supporting the local community with real life arboriculture projects, you’ll gain a wide range of work experiences, perfect to enhance your CV!
The great thing about our courses is that the majority of our students go straight into jobs after they’ve completed their studies. But if you’re looking to go onto further study there are also plenty of opportunities, especially if you’re keen to explore forestry, arboriculture or woodland ecology at a higher level.
Courses
Student Success
Laura Steer
Technical Baccalaureate in Forestry and Arboriculture 2023
Job title: Forestry Internship with Crown Estate Scotland
“My boyfriend and I previously studied media but when we discussed what we really wanted to do in life, he wanted to manage deer and I wanted to work with trees. So we both enrolled at Reaseheath!
“I’m particularly interested in sustainable forestry practices and passionate about preserving ancient native woodland. It’s an ecosystem which provides one of the best habitats for wildlife and can’t easily be recreated.
“We both volunteered for a month on a Scottish estate during our courses and loved it! We planted 1,500 mixed broadleaf trees and gained valuable experience in woodland and deer management.
“As a result of this experience and my qualification I’ve now been offered a Forestry Internship based at Glenlivet in the Cairngorms. I’m amazed I’ve managed such a huge achievement so quickly after my course. My boyfriend has also qualified in game management and has applied to become a wildlife ranger in Scotland.
“I’ve always been fascinated by nature but I didn’t know how to begin turning my passion into a career. Coming to Reaseheath has changed that!”
Find out more
Why study Forestry and Arboriculture at Reaseheath?
Our industry focused forestry and arboriculture courses are well recognised and highly respected amongst industry professionals across the sector.
At Reaseheath, you will become career ready by gaining professional certificates alongside your course qualifications, while also gaining an understanding of the different management systems of timber and other commercial crops when visiting estates nationwide.
You will also enjoy exciting practical activities for at least half your study time and take part in inter-college tree climbing competitions and public demonstrations.
Additionally, you can explore the Reaseheath campus, taking your learning from the classroom into real life scenarios and learn the stories behind our range of unusual trees, and join professional arborists for a masterclass in the latest innovations in tree safety technology led by Sorbus International.
Industry view
“Arboriculture is a constantly evolving industry. In the last 30 years it has gone from woolly jumpers, jeans, wellies and a shared hard hat, to state-of-the-art lightweight chainsaw protection, space aged helmets and battery powered chainsaws.
“Working in arboriculture, no two days are the same and the view from the “office window” is always different. You will get hot, cold, wet, dirty and tired, but to say “I did that” at the end of the day makes it all worthwhile.
“Now is a great time to join the industry as more advances are being made in the use of drones, new climbing equipment and tree diagnostic equipment, to name just a few. We will always have trees and we will always need people to manage them.
“Reaseheath is a great place to study and students leave with a good knowledge base as well as a strong desire to get out and get dirty — we should know, we have employed enough of them!”