Every year, Fife Council takes on a pair of arb apprentices. essentialARB recently met the current cohort, two successful graduates, and some of the council’s tree officers to discuss the scheme and how the department manages its urban treescape in one of Scotland’s most diverse local authorities. 

The following is a brief Q&A with some of the arb team. You can read the full in-depth feature here. 

READ THE FULL FEATURE: ‘Will you stop talking about trees!': Meeting the future of Fife's arb team

SAMUEL MICH, 18
KIRKCALDY

Forestry Journal: Sam showing off his chainsaw skills Sam showing off his chainsaw skills (Image: Supplied)

How did you come into the apprenticeship? 
“I had originally applied for horticulture and numerous other ones in services and then I just mentioned in the horticulture interview about tree work. I asked if they did anything in that side. They didn’t but passed my name onto Brian, who got in touch with me. 

“It wasn’t an interest as such, it was more a question about the kind of work being done and if you could go into that sector. It really just sparked interest from there. 

“I really enjoy it. I can’t fault it at all – apart from when it’s freezing!” 

Did you have any experiences of arboriculture? 
“I had done stuff like climbing. When I was younger, one of my pal’s dads used to take us to rock climbing. That was really the experience I had. 

“When we first started, we just got shown a bit of the basics; how stuff works, what’s safe, how to protect yourself. That sort of thing. 

“Then you go out onto the job and they let you try it. They show you the ropes and you just get to go for it.” 

How do you feel now about your decision to enter into arboriculture? 
“It was a really good decision.

“Not just for the skills I have learned but for the people I work with. I enjoy it, and you can have a good laugh. They help me to learn more. I am so glad I got into it. 

“If you’re thinking about it, just go for it. There’s no point in not trying something. 

“You also learn people skills, too.” 

CORRIE BROCK, 17 
GLENROTHES

Tell us a little bit about your journey into arb
“I put my name down for three different apprenticeships. I didn’t really know what this one was. 

“The work is different every day. 

“Other than a bit of climbing – like at a centre near Inverness – I hadn’t done any of it. 

“I knew nothing about arb before I put my name down for the apprenticeship. 

“I just saw it, didn’t know what it was. But it is the best decision I have made. 

“It’s so much fun. I love doing the work. It’s so varied.” 

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What trees do you like (or don’t like)? 
“Like the rest of the guys, I hate hawthorn! One of my favourite trees is a copper beech tree because I like the 
way the leaves look.” 

How would you sum up your experiences so far? 
“It has been an amazing experience. There are great skills to learn, great people to meet. 

“I actually have a friend going to college for the same thing but just missed the apprenticeship dates. 

“But I am going to recommend they apply next year. I’ve enjoyed it and I am sure they will as well.” 

You work closely with Dillon. How has that been? 
“Dillon really helps me a lot. He’s been really great in the way he has guided me.” 

DILLON FINDLETON, 24
LEVEN

What does your daily routine look like? 
“We could be doing jobs like felling trees in open areas, or climbing trees in the back of gardens, dismantling, pruning, inspecting, making sure the trees are safe and not going to damage any properties.” 

The council also has a few electric saws. What do you make of them? 
“The electric top-handles are probably the best for when you’re up a tree because they’re easier to use. You just need to flick and go. They are quite silent as well, which means less noise for the public.” 

Tell us a bit about your background
“I was working for Evans Halshaw part-time but it wasn’t really anything to do with the outdoors. Then Covid happened and I applied for a seasonal job.

“When I started that, there were a few boys who knew about this and recommended I went for it. I went for both this and horticulture and this is the one I took.

“The main goal was to complete the apprenticeship and get a full-time job. But the skills you pick up and the people you meet are invaluable.”  

How has your impression of trees changed since you first started as an apprentice? 
“Now you’re out in the field and seeing it day in and day out you see how much skill goes into working around trees. 

“Before Storm Arwen, I had never seen a windblown tree in my life.”

CODEY PIERCE, 24
COWDENBEATH

How did you get into arboriculture? 
“I started differently. I went from a charity (Living Solutions) that gave you your tickets. 

“When I came out of school, I didn’t know what to do. 

“I was on the dole for a little bit. Then I went to the charity, and later started at the council as a seasonal, doing grass cutting. After that, I started as an apprentice. 

“You can have good days, you can have bad days. 

Forestry Journal: Chainsaw maintenance is part of the role, as shown by Codey Pierce.Chainsaw maintenance is part of the role, as shown by Codey Pierce. (Image: Supplied)

“I actually knew quite a bit about it. I used to watch folk on YouTube and learned through that. 

“Living Solutions went bust or something during Covid, so I applied for the council. I was a grass cutter for a year and a half and then started the apprenticeship. 

“I did that for about 18 months before moving into full-time.”

Which tools do you like? 
“The Husqvarnas are great but you just have to maintain them. We maintain our own saws, clean them out and that sort of thing.”

How do you reflect on your apprenticeship? 
“Now you can see a tree being done badly and you can tell it’s been done by someone who doesn’t care.” 

How has your experience been with the public? 
“You’re always out in the public eye. Even when I was a seasonal, you just had people coming up to you for a chat. Often it’s because they hate the council and want a wee moan.”