My journey from arborist to consultant
Joe Collett, Senior Arboricultural Consultant, Mott MacDonald
Arrived at the yard in the dark, layers piled on and clutching a hot black coffee, ready for a day of removing the tops from a line of conifers. I was 30, and it was at about this time that I started thinking that maybe, just maybe, this tree surgery business was no longer for me and I should be considering my future career options.
Last day on the tools, 2017.
Working on a survey, 2025.
My first son was due in a few months; my brother had suffered a serious accident at work (he’s not in arboriculture). What path could I take? I considered retraining as a plumber, electrician or professional wrestler but my passion for the trees runs deep, and I didn’t want to waste all that I had learned. The company I was working for at the time was mainly looking after schools, and a few school managers had asked us if we did tree surveys, for which I sourced a local arboricultural consultant. I asked him a lot of questions before he asked me, ‘Would you like to spend the day with me and learn the ropes?’ Yes please! The decision was made: I was going to be a consultant.
As if sent by the tree gods, my mum called and said, ‘I met a tree lady today. She “does trees” and said if you needed any help that you should give her a call.’ That lady turned out to be none other than the amazing Sharon Durdant-Hollamby (of Sharon Hosegood Associates) who gave me some guidance and set me on the right track. Over the next year, while still working as a full-time climber, I completed my Level 2 in Arboriculture, Level 2 in Forestry, Basic and Intermediate Tree Inspection courses. I also attended as many events and spoke to as many tree people as possible. By then I had confirmed that consultancy was the right fit for me and I started applying for jobs. I was successful with my first application and joined Mott MacDonald as an assistant arboriculturist.
Starting the new job was like my first day at school all over again. I had to upgrade my wardrobe to include some clean clothes, shave for the first time in years and remember not to shout at people to ‘Go get the fuel can!’ I was certainly a little worried that after years on site I might have been a little rough round the edges, but I need not have been (frankly, some ecologists’ language would embarrass a sailor!).
My first tree survey was in a beautiful place called Calstock in Devon. I captured the details of the trees on site and drove home with a huge sense of pride and contentment that I had got to where I wanted to be and so far, loved it. By this time my first son had been born and a second was on the way. I’d traded my chainsaw for a tablet, my pickup truck for an estate car, and was really enjoying not feeling achy all the time and spending more time with my young family. So that was over eight years ago, I now have my Professional Tree Inspection (PTI) qualification, my Level 4 diploma in Arboriculture, and most recently Chartership with the Association. I’ve been promoted twice and am now a senior arboriculturist. I carry out a hugely varied workload from tree inspections and climbing with ecologists to carrying out BS 5837 surveys.
The transition from tree surgeon to arboricultural consultant hasn’t been easy but for me, but at the stage of my life when I took the decision it was worth every bit of effort. People still ask me if I miss tree surgery. I always say no, but in reality when an old arborist friend calls and needs a hand, it’s always the same answer: ‘I’ll grab my harness.’
This article was taken from Issue 213 Summer 2026 of the ARB Magazine, which is available to view free to members by simply logging in to the website and viewing your profile area.