Forestry worker
Forestry workers plant, manage and harvest trees and care for the environment in forests and woodland.
Typical Salary
£24,000 – £30,000
per year
Working Hours
42–44
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
As a forest worker, you could:
- clear undergrowth like shrubs and plants so you can plant tree seedlings
- cut down trees and branches and get timber ready to be removed
- put up fences, gates and public information notices
- clear footpaths and nature trails
- maintain equipment, drainage systems and car parks
- protect the forest from pests and diseases and prevent forest fires
We've identified this as a green job
As a forestry worker you'll look after forests and woodlands. This can have a positive impact on the environment.
Skills needed
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of geography
- the ability to work well with others
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- knowledge of maths
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to work well with your hands
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- volunteering
- applying directly
Career progression
With experience you could:
- become a forest works supervisor, woodland manager or arboricultural officer
- work as forest ranger with wardens or conservation officers to look after wildlife
- educate community groups on the importance of forest and wildlife conservation to sustainability