Women in arb: Georgi Ennis

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?

I’m 21 years old and I’ve been working in the arb industry for four years. Currently, I am a self-employed climbing arborist. I have worked as a sub-contractor for numerous companies in the UK and Sweden as a climber and carver.

WHERE ARE YOU BASED?

I am based on the Surrey-Hampshire-West Sussex border.

WHAT DOES YOUR DAY-TO-DAY WORK INVOLVE?

Booking in work to my diary. Working with different crews each week. You can find me either up a tree, by a chipper or behind the saw.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO PURSUE A CAREER IN ARBORICULTURE? HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED?

Originally, I wanted to be a horticulturalist/botanist, so I completed a Level 3 City and Guilds Diploma in General Horticulture at Merrist Wood College, Guildford. That led me to work for a prestigious plant nursery which supplies rhododendrons and azaleas to the Queen and royal household. While working for the nursery, I decided I wanted to specialise more in trees, so I returned to studying at Merrist Wood College for another two years, completing a Level 3 City and Guilds Diploma and a Level 3 City and Guilds Extended Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE OF ARB WORK?

While at college, we were assigned two days a week working with an arboriculture company. It allowed you to join a real arb team and see all aspects of the work.

Georgi recently completed a one-year placement at Royal Botanical Gardens Kew.

ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS KEW – HOW DID THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK THERE COME ABOUT? WAS THERE A REASON YOU WANTED TO WORK THERE SPECIFICALLY? WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK THERE?

As far back as I can remember, I’ve wanted to work at the Royal Botanical Gardens Kew. It is world renowned and one of the most diverse and amazing places. In September 2019, I started my one-year placement at Kew to complete my Specialist Certificate in Arboriculture. Being part of the ‘Tree Gang’ means you have access to the entire site including all glasshouses containing weird and wonderful species. We have a duty to maintain the living collections for the safety and enjoyment of the public.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU HAVE LEARNED DURING YOUR TIME IN THE INDUSTRY?

Teamwork and communication are key to a successful crew. Working as one results in safer, more efficient execution of the job in hand.

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT IN THE INDUSTRY?

Inspiring the next generation to try out arboriculture as a career. While at Kew, I had the opportunity to present my arboriculture journey to 250 apprentices and answer questions at the end.

READ MORE: Women in arb: Viktoria Carstens

Georgi has worked as a sub-contractor for numerous companies in the UK and Sweden, as both a climber and carver.

ANY CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?

Working at Kew Gardens and being part of a Channel 5 documentary.

ARE THERE ANY COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT WORKING IN ARBORICULTURE THAT YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED?

There is so much more to arb than just cutting trees. It is such a flexible sector that anyone can find their niche within this industry and be happy for life. I know I have.

WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE OF BEING A WOMAN IN A MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRY BEEN?

My experience has been very supportive, and I have received help and tips on how to improve my work. There have been unsettling situations where colleagues have been inappropriate to the point of harassment, eventually my only option was to leave that company.

As a young female you are sometimes judged by veteran arborists who assume you don’t know anything – especially as I’m pretty new to the industry. To change their minds, I take time to show them new techniques and discuss up-to-date thinking in the industry.

Social media has let Georgi connect with other female arborists and she has attended numerous Women’s Arb Camps.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ENCOURAGE MORE WOMEN INTO THE SECTOR?

With the rise of arboriculture on social media platforms, it is attracting a lot more women to the industry who want to show they are capable, strong and can break the stereotype of arborists.

With the advantage of new climbing kit, such as the rope wrench and chicane, it makes climbing trees much easier for anyone, including women, who might doubt their own strength. There has also been advancements in PPE designed specifically for women, such as chainsaw trousers.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING THE SECTOR AT THE MOMENT, IN YOUR VIEW?

The biggest challenges at the moment are the changes being made by HSE regarding climbing techniques including the use of a secondary anchor. I have heard several opposing views including the cost of extra equipment, the morphology of the tree may prevent a secondary anchor and, in some situations, it is more dangerous having to look after a second rope.

ARBORICULTURE IS VERY POPULAR ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS SUCH AS INSTAGRAM – WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

We are our own stuntmen and the perilous situations we find ourselves in present an exciting and dangerous job to the viewer through our photos and videos. There is definitely a community spirit. This, in turn, connected me with other women arborists and I have attended the Women’s Arb Camp in the UK, Sweden and Finland … so far.

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN SOCIAL MEDIA AND BUILD A FOLLOWING? WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DOES THAT PRESENT?

As a normal teenager I had an Instagram account and gained a following as I started to post photos of me as an arborist. I think my enthusiasm and love of my work has brought more people to my account, as well as the use of specific arb-related hashtags in the posts. It has allowed me to become affiliated with companies such as Stihl and Courant, and my use and promotion of equipment have generated more interest too. I have also made information videos, especially during lockdown.

ANY PARTICULAR AMBITIONS YOU ARE LOOKING TO ACHIEVE IN THE NEAR FUTURE?

I would like to complete a master’s degree. At present, I’m just working and adding to my experience in the industry.

Follow Georgi on Instagram: @treetater

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