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Colin Hawke

Consultant
What employment sector do you work in?

Private Sector

How long have you had a green job for nature?

48 years

Salary Range

£20,000 – £25,000

Please describe the work that you do.

I am now a part-time tree and woodland management advisor. I undertake tree safety inspections for a range of clients including private homeowners, private estates, estate management companies and schools. This includes advice on management of trees for the longer term as well as managing immediate risks. However, during my career I have have mainly worked in the public sector where I held a number of forestry based roles and managed or was involved with a number of projects.

What do you most like about your job? Any dislikes?

Meeting a range of interesting people and their trees. A big part of my job involves reassuring tree owners that their trees are most unlikely to come crashing down around their ears and avoiding unnecessary work and expense. I also enjoy uncovering the stories that trees have to tell. There’s always more to learn!
Perhaps it’s an ‘age thing’ but I am increasingly dismayed by the increasing level of bureaucracy and regulation. I feel we are in danger of creating too many hurdles and we are in danger of losing sight of what we are trying to achieve.

What inspired you into this career? 

A love of the countryside, nature and the encouragement of a cousin.

Have you faced any challenges in progressing your career so far? 

I am now easing into retirement but finding this difficult to achieve, I love the job too much, it is what I am! There have been many challenges along the journey, professional, institutional, financial and health related. However, forestry and the tree world is a very supportive place and I have been fortunate to have been helped through them by many people. My career path has never been very clear but I have been fortunate to have had many opportunities. I have been involved in a number of projects within the forestry sector like the Cornwall Orchard Project and Task Force Trees but also with allied professions and disiplines like invasive species management, Cornish Hedges and a County Landscape Assessment. It has been exciting being involved in local projects that have caught national and international attention.

What education/training did you have?

I studied Forestry at Bangor University graduating with a BSc in 1976. On leaving college I undertook many training courses to help me with my employment at the time and to help my progression through the industry. I achieved Chartered Forester status and became a Fellow of the Arboricultural Association.

What advice would you give to someone coming into the profession? 

Keep an open mind, listen, observe, challenge and network. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes but be prepared to learn from them. At the start of a career, it is important to get wide experience to supplement your formal education. There is no substitute for getting out in the field and observing real trees, they rarely read the books. Talk to lots of people and consider the various viewpoints.

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Tags: England, Private sector, Forestry and arboriculture roles, Arboriculturist

Date profile submitted: 02/05/2024

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