Arboriculture and Forestry

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A welcome from the Head of Agriculture, Arboriculture and Environmental Conservation - Vicky Beckwith

Hello and congratulations on your offer to study with us! I'm delighted you've chosen to join our arboriculture department at Capel Manor College.

Whether you're already passionate about trees and the environment or are just beginning to explore where a career in arboriculture could take you, you've chosen a course that will challenge you, develop your confidence and give you real practical experience.

Arboriculture is a diverse and rewarding industry. It combines practical skills, science, environmental management and problem-solving to care for trees in our towns, cities and countryside. Our aim is to help you build those skills in a supportive environment where learning is practical, relevant and enjoyable.

Your learning will be based at our purpose-built Bartlett Arboretum and Arboriculture Centre at our Enfield Campus, where you'll develop your practical skills in our workshops before putting them into practice in a variety of real environments. You'll work in the woodlands on
campus, at Forty Hall Farm and on local sites, gaining experience with the equipment, techniques and professional standards used across the industry.

Our team has a wealth of industry experience and we're all passionate about helping learners succeed. We know that everyone arrives with different experiences and levels of confidence, and we'll support you every step of the way.

I hope you're as excited as we are to get started. We look forward to welcoming you in September and helping you begin the next stage of your journey.

Vicky Beckwith
Head of Agriculture, Arboriculture and Environmental Conservation

Head of arboriculture, agriculture and environmental conservation at Capel Manor College - Victoria Beckwith.

Course overview

Our arboriculture courses combine classroom learning with practical experience to prepare you for a career in the tree care and arboriculture industry.

Based at our Bartlett Arboretum and Arboriculture Centre at our Enfield Campus, you'll develop your skills in a specialist training environment before applying them in the woodlands around campus, at Forty Hall Farm and on a range of local sites. You'll gain experience in tree climbing, chainsaw operations, tree planting, woodland management and the safe use of arboriculture equipment, while building your knowledge of tree biology, health and safety and sustainable tree management.

You'll also have opportunities to meet employers, visit industry sites and take part in practical projects, helping you build confidence, develop professional skills and explore the wide range of careers available within arboriculture.

You can find more detailed information on our arboriculture courses here.(opens in new tab)

Arboriculture students at Capel Manor College ready to plant trees

Modules and structure

Your course combines classroom learning with practical experience. As you progress, we'll encourage you to become increasingly independent and confident, preparing you for employment or further study. Throughout the year you'll build knowledge and skills in areas such as:

  • Tree identification
  • Tree biology and physiology
  • Tree planting and establishment
  • Tree inspection and maintenance
  • Tree climbing techniques
  • Chainsaw maintenance and operation
  • Woodland management
  • Arboriculture equipment and machinery
  • Health and safety
  • Environmental conservation
Arboriculture students from Capel Manor College at Kensington Gardens.

Equipment and uniform

Arboriculture is a practical subject, and you'll spend a lot of time outdoors in all weathers. Before you start, we'd recommend bringing:

  • Steel toe-cap work boots
  • Waterproof clothing
  • Warm layers
  • Practical clothing suitable for outdoor work
  • A notebook and pen
  • A refillable water bottle

Meet the team

Head of arboriculture, agriculture and environmental conservation at Capel Manor College - Victoria Beckwith.

Vicky Beckwith

Faheem Ahmed

Angel Brown

Jarryd Russell

Preparing for study

If you'd like to get a head start before September, here are a few ideas:

Watch

• BBC Countryfile
• Arb Association YouTube
• Bartlett Tree Experts videos
• National Trust woodland management videos

Think about how trees are managed and why they are important to people, wildlife and the environment.

Visit 

If you have the opportunity, visit a:

• Local woodland
• Country park
• Arboretum
• National Trust property
• Forestry site

See if you can identify different tree species and notice how trees are managed in different locations.

Keep curious

Follow organisations on social media such as:

• Arboricultural Association
• Forestry England
• Woodland Trust
• Bartlett Tree Experts

Keep up to date with news from the arboriculture industry and the challenges facing our urban and rural trees.

Arboriculture and Forestry FAQs

Our students progress into roles including:

• Arborist / Tree Surgeon
• Climbing Arborist
• Groundsperson
• Tree Inspector
• Woodland Officer
• Forestry Operative
• Local Authority Tree Officer
• Utility Arborist
• Estate Worker
• Further and Higher Education
• Apprenticeships

Our aim is to help you develop the skills, confidence and experience to take the next step, whatever that looks like for you.

Throughout your course you'll gain experience in:

• Tree identification and surveying
• Woodland management
• Tree climbing techniques
• Chainsaw maintenance and operation
• Tree planting and aftercare
• Arboricultural machinery and equipment
• Conservation and habitat management

By the end of your course, you should be able to:

• Identify a range of common tree species
• Work safely using arboricultural equipment
• Understand how trees grow and respond to management
• Show practical tree climbing and maintenance skills
• Work safely as part of a professional team
• Show experience valued by employers
• Show that you are ready for employment, an apprenticeship or further study

We encourage you to take the first steps towards finding a work placement, as you know the areas you can travel to best. A simple email or phone call is often enough to begin building those industry connections.

The arboriculture industry is very supportive of enthusiastic learners. Once you start your course, we'll provide the paperwork needed so our team can complete the necessary health and safety checks before your placement begins.

If you're unable to secure a placement yourself, don't worry. We'll work with you and use our network of employers and industry partners to help you find a suitable opportunity.

• Meet professional arborists and employers
• Visit woodlands, estates and commercial arboriculture businesses
• Take part in practical woodland management projects
• Gain experience using specialist equipment
• Develop employability and teamwork skills
• Complete industry work experience
• Build your CV before leaving college

Have questions?

Speak to our Admissions team via live chat from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday or email admissions@capel.ac.uk.