Forestry worker
Look after an area of forest to produce timber and conserve the woodland environment for people to enjoy.
Also known as: harvester, forest craftsperson, chainsaw operator
About the job
A day in the life – Forestry worker
What it's like
It’s a great time to join the forest industry, whether you're starting out or changing career. You'll help tackle the climate emergency and work towards a greene future.
Forestry plays an important part in the nature-based sector. It has set ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions, including creating 18,000 hectares of woodland a year by 2024. This is helping to support Scotland's transition to net zero by 2045.
In this role, you'd carry out practical tasks in forests and woodlands to help care for and protect the environment. You’d also protect trees from pests and disease.
You’d need to be safety-conscious, responsible and may need a good head for heights.
You would:
mark and measure trees for cutting down
prepare the ground for planting by clearing undergrowth
plant new tree seedlings
dig out or install drainage systems
trim and cut back shrubs and other ground cover to promote the healthy growth of trees
use specialist tools to thin out densely wooded areas
prune and harvest trees, strip branches and cut felled tree trunks into specific lengths
protect the forest against insect pests and disease, particularly young trees
clear footpaths and nature trails, and maintain adjoining car parks
Other tasks include keeping recreational sites and woodland areas fit for public use. This may involve putting up fences, gates, footpath signs and public information notices.
You may be responsible for checking and looking after basic fire-fighting equipment near wooded areas. Your work could involve helping to tackle forest fires if necessary.
Green job
In this job you'll be doing work to help the environment. Find out more about green jobs.
Hours
As a forest worker you'll usually work 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday. You may need to do some overtime and weekend work during busy periods. Part-time and casual work is possible.
Environment
You'd work outdoors in all weathers. This is a physically hard job and you need to be fit. The work can be dangerous as you'll be using power tools and heavy machinery. You may need protective clothing. You'll also need to use a safety harness if working from height and carrying out tree climbing activities.
Travel
You may need to do a lot of travelling between different sites, so most employers will expect you to have a driving licence.
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
The Conservation Volunteers — support to discover, improve and enjoy your local green spaces
Lantra Scotland — training and skills for the land-based, aquaculture and environmental sector
Institute of Chartered Foresters — the chartered body for forestry and arboricultural professionals
Forestry and Land Scotland — the craft of forestry is attracting a growing number of women
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- forestry
- mowing
- pesticides
- hand tools
- occupational safety and health
- plowing
- highway maintenance
- groundskeeping
- irrigation (landscaping and agriculture)
- planned maintenance
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- taking responsibility
- taking initiative
- implementing ideas
- attention to detail
- problem solving
- verbal communication
- listening
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Biology
Geography
Practical Craft Skills
Science in the Environment
Skills for Work: Rural Skills
A good general education is normally required for this role and many employers look for National 4s / National 5s (SCQF Level 4/5).
A Higher National Certificate in Forestry (SCQF Level 7) would be useful. Most NC courses require applicants to have a Higher (SCQF Level 6).
An Modern Apprenticeship is also available through the Forestry Commission. For a Modern Apprenticeship you should have National 5 (SCQF Level 5) Maths and English.
Previous outdoor work or volunteering experience can be beneficial. It might also be useful to have an outdoor qualification such as the John Muir Award or the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
Search environmental volunteering opportunities on Volunteer.scot.
a driving licence, for the Modern Apprenticeship
to be physically fit
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