Good communication with the customer is one of the most important aspects of this job. We need to know what they expect and what’s important to them.

The typical day begins by going over what is required and making a plan on how to go ahead. We give the customer advice and make them aware of our approach.

Next, it’s time to identify and inspect the trees, shrubs, and other plants that require pruning or removal. At the same time, we create a list of hazards and potential risks.

We think about a plan of what tools will be required (though this often happens prior to arriving on-site) and get them ready to use. This might including pole saws, chainsaws, elevated work platforms, chippers, and so on.

Once we’re all set up and have our PPE on, it’s time to do the fun part. We prune, trim, and cut the required branches and bushes. Usually, we’ll have one person on this job, while someone else will be feeding the green waste into a chipper.

As with many occupations like this, set-up and clean-up take up most of the time. The actual trimming and pruning can be completed fairly quickly.

Once the job is done, it’s important to leave the site looking a lot better than when we arrived. We ensure all branches are removed, sawdust is swept up, and loose leaves are tidied away.

Then it’s off home to rest for another day of it tomorrow!

Pros

• Work outside in the great outdoors
• Work closely with colleagues in interesting environments
• Each day is a new location
• Learn more about how trees and bushes grow
• There are challenging jobs to keep things interesting
• Work using chainsaws and other fun tools and equipment

Cons

• Working in cold and wet weather can become tiresome
• Very tiring and physical work
• There are physical risks
• We can be on call and need to work nights and weekends
• Working at height (if nervous about such things)

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