Apprentice Arborist

As an apprentice Arborist with Waterman Tree Co. you'll be part of a small, hands-on team carrying out tree surgery and arboricultural work for residential, commercial and development clients. You'll start on the ground crew and progress to climbing as your skills develop, and your tickets are gained through Writtle College.

Ground Crew duties: dragging brash, feeding the chipper, maintaining a clean and safe site, processing timber, loading vehicles, and supporting the climber on the rope. Tree work skills: learning to use chainsaws – under supervision and once certified, small fellings, sectional dismantling, and progressing to climbing and aerial work as competencies are built. Site setup and safety: setting up traffic management, cordoning work areas, daily kit checks, LOLER- compliant equipment handling, and adhering to industry safety standards. Client-facing professionalism: representing Waterman Tree Co. on residential and commercial sites, communicating respectfully with clients and the public, and leaving every site cleaner than you found it. Vehicle and equipment care: daily checks on the chipper, saws and ropes, plus learning basic maintenance and sharpening.

Training:

Monday to Friday 7.00am start and 4.00pm finish, 1 hour unpaid lunch break. Occasional seasonal variation. No regular weekend or evening work expected. Attending Writtle College (CM1 3RR) one day a week from 9.00am-4.30pm from October 2026.

Training Outcome:

A successful apprentice at Waterman Tree Co has a clear pathway to develop into a fully qualified climbing arborist and beyond. It could include team leader/ senior climber positions, with the potential to move into the consultancy side of the business, supporting tree surveys.  

Employer Description:

Waterman Tree Co is a Hertfordshire based tree surgery business, growing fast and we are proud of what we do. We work across the South East on a real mix of jobs, domestic gardens one day, commercial grounds the next. We are not corporate, we're a tight-knit team that takes our craft seriously. We do good work. We turn up properly kitted, we follow safety properly, we leave sites cleaner than we found them, and we treat people, clients, public and each other with respect. We work hard, look after our kits, trucks and each other and we have a proper laugh while we're doing it. If that sounds like a place you want to start your career, we'd love to hear from you. 

Working Hours :
Monday to Friday: 7.00am start, 4.00pm finish, 1 hour unpaid lunch break. Occasional seasonal variation, no regular weekend or evening work expected.

Skills:
Communication skills,Organisation skills,Customer care skills,Team working,Physical fitness,Reliabilty,Good timekeeping,Follow safety instructions,Comfortable working at height,Practical, hands on attitude