Career profile: forestry worker

Forestry workers manage trees, plants, and the environment in forests and woodland.

This blog is based on a profile in Unifrog's Careers library, a tool where students can learn about hundreds of careers, and how they fit into the world of work. The above video is sponsored by The Woodland Trust. We chatted to Lucy, Assistant Site Manager at The Woodland Trust, about her role. 

What you'll do

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

• clearing undergrowth for planting
• planting new tree seedlings
• digging drainage systems
• thinning out densely wooded areas
• felling trees, stripping branches and chopping up tree trunks
• protecting the forest against insect pests and disease
• clearing footpaths and nature trails, and maintaining car parks
• putting up fences, gates, signs and public information notices
• checking and maintaining tools and equipment
• preventing forest fires

Working hours and environment 

You'll spend most of your time working outdoors in the countryside or woodland in all weathers. You may spend some of your time travelling between different sites.

This is a physically demanding job as you'll be often completing practical tasks, like sawing, clearing trails, or building fences. Some of your work may be hazardous, as you could be using power tools while working at height.

You'll need to wear protective clothing for certain jobs and a safety harness for climbing trees.

Entry requirements

There's no set route into this role, but it may be helpful to:

• have school leaver qualifications, like GCSEs, National 5s, BTECs, Brevet, or a high school diploma
• gain a qualification in forestry, perhaps through college or an apprenticeship
• get some volunteering experience with a woodland or wildlife charity

Depending on what your role involves, you may need certifications to prove you can work safely – for example, to be able to work with chainsaws or work as a forest firefighter.

Career path and progression

You could progress to senior forest worker or become a forest officer.You could also become a forest ranger, working with wardens or conservation officers to look after wildlife.

You could become self-employed.

Skills required 

You'll need:

• the practical skills to use tools like hammers, saws, and axes
• planning – you could be making long-term plans where you'll think about how the woodland is going to grow and develop
• independence, as you could spend long periods of your day working alone or somewhere that feels remote
• initiative, so you can think of what tasks to do next if you complete one – for example, starting your seed planting once you have cleared the necessary undergrowth
• accountability, as you'll be taking responsibility for the upkeep of the forest, but also for people's safety, by checking for things like correct signage and fallen trees

Labour market information 

Here’s some data on forestry worker jobs in the UK and USA as of 2025. On the actual Careers library profile there is lots more LMI.