When Cecily Withall realised a career in hospitality wasn’t for her, she began the journey that took her into arboriculture. Now an arborist at Kew, she is already making a name for herself as a positive role model.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?
I found arboriculture a little later than most. I worked in hospitality in Scotland until my mid 20s when I decided to change tack. I wanted to learn more about horticulture and what that could offer me. I gained a diploma in horticulture with plantsmanship from the Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh. This gave me a broad education within horticulture, including theoretical knowledge and practical ability. During a work placement in London at Kew with the arb team I found my calling. I then studied a level 2 in arboriculture with the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, as an apprentice for two years, where I gained the certification to climb, fell and use all manners of equipment to aid my career.
In 2021, I became a full-time member of the arboricultural unit at Kew as an arborist, and since then I haven’t stopped learning.
WHAT MADE YOU PURSUE A CAREER IN ARBORICULTURE?
As part of my course in Edinburgh, I spent time with different placements within the gardens. I was lucky enough to spend time with their tree unit, learning how they care for the collection, and it ignited a spark for me and pushed me down a path into arboriculture. I was keen to find out if it was the right fit for me and they suggested a trip to Kew to meet the tree unit in London – I jumped at the chance. I initially spent three weeks with the team, learning the basics and climbing with the team and I never looked back. I finished my diploma in Edinburgh and applied for the apprenticeship with the tree unit at Kew. My application was successful, and I then spent the next two years obtaining certification within the industry and working full-time at Kew as an arborist apprentice.
WHAT DOES YOUR DAY-TO-DAY WORK INVOLVE?
Our job is so varied, every day is different. We manage the collection of 12,000 trees within a 320-acre site. Day-to-day we will be climbing to remove dead wood, reducing limbs, aerial inspections within the canopy or we might be planting trees, hanging installations for events in the gardens and much, much more.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE IN ARBORICULTURE?
During my studies in Edinburgh, an ancient sweet chestnut needed to be removed due to age and internal decay. It was my first experience of a tree removal on that scale. Large chunks were removed by a climber in a MEWP. It was amazing to see how everyone within the team was necessary to make the operation run safely. The dead wood and trunk was then left on the site and fenced off to create a space for it to decay naturally and safely as a beneficial site for animals and micro-organisms to inhabit. This also engaged the public to view arboricultural practices in a positive light as they saw the outcome and its benefits.
WHAT WAS THE LAST JOB YOU WORKED ON?
We have been planting trees this week with the students who study horticulture at Kew. It’s a really lovely experience to share the opportunity to plant a tree at Kew and to teach them about our planting specification specific to Kew, alongside that initial care needed by the young trees across the site and how we manage them within our landscape.
WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT IN THE INDUSTRY?
Last year I received the Young Arboricultural Professional of the Year award. It was an extremely proud moment and one I haven’t really gotten over. It was an absolutely mad experience to go to the arboricultural conference held in Warwick to receive it!
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU HAVE LEARNED DURING YOUR TIME IN THE INDUSTRY?
Since coming into the world of arboriculture in 2018, the most important thing I have taken away from it is that everyone is so keen to share their passion for trees, but also that the more you put into your job, the more you get out of it. So keep asking questions and always be willing to learn new things.
WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE OF BEING A WOMAN IN A MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRY BEEN?
My experience has been really positive. I know it’s not the case for everyone, but I have had supportive male role models who have given me the time I needed to learn and tools I needed to improve. I definitely have had to dig deep and push myself to improve and not everything has come naturally to me but I’ve never let that stop me. Asking for help shouldn’t be seen as a negative, in fact I think it’s a strength to accept that you can always learn something new at any stage of your career.
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ENCOURAGE MORE WOMEN INTO THE SECTOR?
I would like to see schools advocating for more land-based study subjects. Forest schools are huge now and that’s so positive, but it would be fantastic to see these options for teens and young adults, as well as more education around the career options in this field. Lots of companies are reaching out and working with schools to provide a better understanding, but I do think that the curriculum itself should be engaged in providing opportunities for children and young adults to view these vocations as options in the future. That initial opportunity from a young age could be what engages anyone into the industry.
HOW IMPORTANT IS A GOOD WORK-LIFE BALANCE WHEN WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY?
I do think that a work-life balance is so important. Working outside all year round in all conditions in any practical job can be a challenge. Weekends sometimes are not enough to reset and recharge. I definitely don’t always take my own advice on this.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING THE SECTOR AT THE MOMENT IN YOUR VIEW?
Recruitment of the next generation I believe is the biggest challenge facing our sector. Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to engage and train young people into the industry whilst offering a wage to support their learning. But I do think this engagement needs to start in schools to provide that pathway for young people to know these opportunities exist, and advocate for careers that are available for any age, background or ability.
WHAT GIVES YOU JOB SATISFACTION ABOUT CARRYING OUT YOUR ROLE?
I work with a globally important collection of trees, vital for science and conservation research and education. Maintaining our trees and seeing them thrive for the next generation is a privilege. Getting to know the history behind some of our oldest trees by climbing up into their canopies provides a different understanding of our collection, and helps to aid in their longevity. I see this as the epitome of job satisfaction.
FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, DO YOU SEE ANY SHIFT IN ATTITUDES IN ARB? IS IT BECOMING MORE INCLUSIVE FOR WOMEN?
Definitely, I recently took part in a webinar celebrating International Women’s Day run by the Arboricultural Association. Over 500 people signed up to hear from myself and two other women in the industry and it was a really fantastic way to hear about different roles and share our passions for trees and our jobs. Employees and employers alike were engaged and willing to learn and ask questions to engage women into the industry and this positivity and environment I hope will be the starting point for lots of people entering the workforce.
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