A Day in the Life of a Female Arborist
A Day in the Life of a Female Arborist: The day starts early, often before the sun has even tipped above the horizon.
Tree work is not a nine-to-five desk job. It’s physical, unpredictable, and enriching.
A Day in the Life of a Female Arborist
It is also a male-dominated industry, which gives young female arborists, such as Jess Riches, a chance to carve themselves a trailblazing role, breaking down stereotypes and paving the way for others.
From Farm Work to Tree Work
Jess’s path to arboriculture wasn’t a straight line.
She’s worked on banana farms, driven buses, and spent years in the tough FIFO construction industry in Australia.
“I’ve always preferred manual labour roles,” she explains. “When I came back from Australia, I knew I wanted to continue doing a manual job.”
When she returned to the UK, she remembered her brother’s positive experience with Blake Tree Care. “It seemed perfect. I could learn new skills while using my previous experience in operating machinery.”
No Two Days the Same
Ask her what a typical day looks like, and she laughs… because there isn’t one.
If she’s with the ‘willows’ team, she might spend the day operating machines, using chainsaws, and handling large-scale clean-up. On domestic jobs, she could be hedge cutting in the morning, chipping in the afternoon, and chainsawing in between.
Her favourite part? “Definitely domestic work. It’s like being a kid again climbing trees, but this time you don’t get in trouble!”
The Best & The Toughest Parts
The joy of the job lies in the variety. Every tree is different, and every site is unique. Climbing and chainsawing bring an adrenaline rush and a childlike sense of freedom. And working outdoors in the Essex and Suffolk countryside is a privilege in itself.
But tree work isn’t always sunshine and fresh air. “The toughest part can be working in all weathers,” she admits. “There have been days in torrential rain that are mentally challenging. But it’s never been too bad, you just push through.”
Teamwork and Support
Tree surgery is rarely a solo job. The work is demanding, and safety relies on teamwork. For her, that’s one of the highlights: “The team all get on well and support me. As I’m new to the industry, they’ve been keen to teach me anything I don’t know.”
Being the only woman in the crew could feel daunting, but she’s never let it hold her back. “From day one, I’ve never said no to anything. I wanted to do everything the men can do – and I believe I have.”
Breaking Misconceptions
People are often surprised to see a woman in tree surgery. It’s still rare in the UK, but her experience has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Everyone has been very welcoming. The only challenge is the need to ‘prove yourself’ as a woman. Men are expected to be able to lift heavy equipment and logs. But with women, there’s sometimes doubt. I just got on with it.”
Her advice to other women? Simple: “Absolutely try it. It’s an amazing industry with so many skills to learn. Don’t be put off by it being male-dominated. If you put the work in, you’ll be just as valued as anyone else.”
And as for the public’s view of arborists: “One misconception is that we just cut down trees and ruin the environment. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Blake Tree Care plants thousands of trees to replace those that have to be removed. Arborists love trees more than most.”
Learning on the Job
A recent standout moment came when she was called to a golf course project. The task required her to operate 8- and 14-tonne diggers, which are much bigger than the ones she’d used in Australia.
“It was a great experience. I learned how to adapt my previous skills to tree work. I even got to drive two different types of tractors, which was a lot of fun.”
It’s a reminder that arboriculture isn’t just about climbing. It’s technical, it involves big machinery, and it demands constant learning.
Jess isn’t stopping here. She’s working towards gaining formal qualifications in tree climbing and felling. These skills will not only expand her role but also cement her long-term career in arboriculture.
Why She Loves the Work
At the heart of it all, simple things keep her going.
One of the things that stands out most for Jess is the culture at Blake Tree Care itself. “Everyone wants to help each other and watch each other gain skills. It’s something I haven’t experienced too much before.”
That sense of encouragement and teamwork is what makes the hard days in the rain worth it and the good days in the sunshine even better.
Working in the British countryside also comes with its quirks, according to Jess. “I love working in the amazing scenery that Essex and Suffolk have to offer. I never got to see it much in my previous jobs. But now I work in it every day, and it makes everything easier.”
As one of the few women in the field, she’s proving that anyone can find their place with resilience, curiosity, and passion.
What We Can All Learn from Jess
Jess’s story proves that arboriculture is about passion, grit, and teamwork. Not gender.
At Blake Tree Care, we’re proud to have a team that supports one another and values growth. If Jess’s journey has inspired you, why not learn more about what we do, or even explore a career in arboriculture with us?
If you’ve ever thought about a career in tree care, follow Jess’s lead. The industry needs more people who love trees and want to protect them for the future.
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