When Beth Coffey left school at 16 with very few qualifications, she had no idea that a career in arb was just over the horizon. Here she tells us about her experiences, working with 3 Counties Tree Surgery, and even setting up her own log fuel business.

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?
I am one of three siblings and grew up in Lichfield, Staffordshire. I left school at 16 with very few qualifications as I found it very frustrating and didn’t know what the future held for me.

WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
Lichfield.

Beth’s job sees her carrying out a wide variety of tasks. Beth’s job sees her carrying out a wide variety of tasks. (Image: Supplied)

WHAT MADE YOU PURSUE A CAREER IN ARBORICULTURE?
My brother worked for a family friend as an apprentice tree surgeon and climber for many years and his boss asked whether I would be interested in joining the company as an apprentice, which I did.

WHAT DOES YOUR DAY-TO-DAY WORK INVOLVE?
My job is extremely varied on a day-to-day basis. I get up early, and select the tools and equipment that we need for the day. We then have a toolbox talk with the team, which involves safety planning and we also discuss the methods that we should deploy for the particular project. One day, I could be felling trees as part of a woodland management project, and the next I could be climbing and pruning a 70-foot pine tree in someone’s back garden. It’s challenging.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE IN ARBORICULTURE?
My first experience was assisting a team of veteran tree surgeons dismantle some very large Lombardy poplar trees that had become dangerous on the boundary of a farmer’s field. The team used winching and rigging systems, which I found absolutely fascinating.

She is based in Lichfield, working with 3 Counties Tree Surgery. She is based in Lichfield, working with 3 Counties Tree Surgery. (Image: Supplied)

WHAT WAS THE LAST JOB YOU WORKED ON?
The last job I did was the crown lifting of a line of sycamore trees over a road in order that the customer was able to comply with the Highways Act.

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT IN THE INDUSTRY?
Starting a log fuel business, as well as working as a full-time arborist and forester. I have now learned more about wood types, their structures and calorific values for biomass or domestic fuel use. I never thought I would get this far; it’s been tough but well worth the effort.

Woodchipping is sometimes the order of the day. Woodchipping is sometimes the order of the day. (Image: Supplied)

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU HAVE LEARNED DURING YOUR TIME IN THE INDUSTRY?
To take safety seriously and always have a contingency to every plan. I have learned and developed the many and various skills required to carry out the functional tasks expected of me, however, if I’m ever in doubt with regard to safety or method, then I ask and involve others in the team.

WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE OF BEING A WOMAN IN A MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRY BEEN?
I’ve experienced nothing but positive reactions from both members of the team and customers alike. It’s particularly nice when female customers say they love the fact that I’m flying 
the flag for women in the workplace.

WHAT KIND OF OBSTACLES HAVE YOU FACED/OVERCOME?
Both physical and mental obstacles. Physical, because I had to improve my fitness having to work an eight-hour day of really tough work. Mental, because I had to break through personal barriers with regards to climbing trees and dealing with height.Both mentally and physically you just have to evolve and adapt.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ENCOURAGE MORE WOMEN INTO THE SECTOR?
I think the choice for young women to enter the arb career should be on the table at school-leaving age as a serious option, preferably at 16 so they can join a reputable arb company as an apprentice under an approved apprenticeship scheme. There they will also receive an academic education relating to arboricultural and forestry subjects.

Beth with English springer spaniel Sunny, the beloved “company dog” who recently passed away. Beth with English springer spaniel Sunny, the beloved “company dog” who recently passed away. (Image: Supplied)

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING THE SECTOR AT THE MOMENT IN YOUR VIEW?
There are too many rogue companies out there, doing shoddy work in my view. The industry and regulators need to get tougher on those not qualified to do the job. It is my view that this situation is getting much worse. It only serves to undermine our industry and the training required to do it properly.

WANT MORE WARB? 

WHAT GIVES YOU JOB SATISFACTION ABOUT CARRYING OUT YOUR ROLE?
Finishing a job and turning around and looking at what you’ve achieved, particularly when I’m involved with crown reductions on protected veteran trees and I’ve done it to specification and it looks good, knowing I have helped preserve their integrity. A real feeling of achievement.

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, DO YOU SEE ANY SHIFT IN ATTITUDES IN ARB? IS IT BECOMING MORE INCLUSIVE FOR WOMEN? 
I feel that it is. People are now less surprised when I turn up on site, which in my view may be an indicator of acceptance. Likewise, when we have new male members join the team they appear totally at ease with a female work colleague. I think it helps, too, when you can demonstrate your level of skills as a woman in the workplace, then you truly are accepted as an equal.