Women in Arb: Gabriella Jardine of the RHS Garden Bridgewater shares her story

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?

I come from an academic background – prior to deciding to pursue a career in arboriculture, I did an undergraduate degree in Geology and a PhD in Ocean and Earth Sciences.

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I loved the science and research element but I knew at the end of my degree I wanted to find a career that allowed me to spend time outdoors and was more hands-on, which eventually led me to arboriculture.

WHERE ARE YOU BASED? 

I’m currently based at RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford, as the Level 2 arborist apprentice. 

WHAT MADE YOU PURSUE A CAREER IN ARBORICULTURE? 

At the end of my PhD, I was fortunate to hold a volunteer ranger position with the National Trust at Runnymede and Ankerwycke, which really sparked my interest in the methods of taking care of trees and the logistics of tree works. From there I saw the advertisement for an arboriculturist apprenticeship with the RHS and knew that I had to apply. 

WHAT DOES YOUR DAY-TO-DAY WORK INVOLVE? 

The jobs at RHS Garden Bridgewater are pretty varied – I’ve done a lot of tree planting over the winter months, and will be providing follow-up care to the newly planted trees in the coming years. Tree surveys, tree works, and landscaping parts of the garden – the arborist team covers all of that.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE IN ARBORICULTURE? 

My first experience in arboriculture was during my final job interview for my apprenticeship – I was given the task of climbing a small oak tree to see how I handled the challenge and how I fit in with the rest of the arb team at RHS Garden Bridgewater. I absolutely loved it and it definitely goes down as the most exciting job interview I’ve had!

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WHAT WAS THE LAST JOB YOU WORKED ON? 

My last job was working as ground crew during a sycamore dismantle. It had become unsafe due to a number of defects and damage to the bark, and its location near some of the garden beds meant that we rigged out most of the limbs and chunks of the stem. 

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT IN THE INDUSTRY? 

Definitely the work I did while reducing the crown of a large oak overhanging Ellesmere Lake at RHS Garden Bridgewater.

It was my hardest climb yet and really tested my balance and climbing skills to get out onto the tips of the limbs to make the pruning cuts. 

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

It’s definitely not a job for the faint hearted! Arborists work with some serious bits of machinery and undertake tree works that many people wouldn’t – but I’ve also learnt that it’s surprising what you’re capable of when you work things through carefully and methodically. 

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

I’ve been fortunate. The team at RHS Garden Bridgewater has been really welcoming and supportive of me. The required courses and teaching component of my apprenticeship are run through Myerscough College up in Preston, and although I’m currently the only woman in my apprentice intake, I’ve never felt discouraged from pursuing this career. 

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

I’d say that raising awareness of arboriculture as a career path in general to young adults will help encourage women to consider it as a career path.

Also important is not framing it as a purely male-dominated environment when running events highlighting the arboriculture industry.

HOW IMPORTANT IS A GOOD WORK-LIFE BALANCE WHEN WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY? 

It’s definitely important – although I find it easier to manage than I did when I was studying! It’s been really enjoyable to put in a full day of work at the garden then be able to go home and draw a line under the working day for the rest of the evening. 

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

From talking to my co-workers, a lack of understanding from the general public about what knowledge and experience an arboriculturist can provide is a challenge when accounting for time and cost of jobs.

Encouraging people into the industry is also a challenge, as I wasn’t even aware that a career as an arborist was possible until very recently!

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

Having never used Instagram I’ll have to take your word for it! I certainly find the view from a tree spectacular and entirely unique, and it is a career that entails more hazards than some – I can understand why people find videos and photos of arborists in action exciting and engaging to view.

WHAT GIVES YOU JOB SATISFACTION ABOUT CARRYING OUT YOUR ROLE? 

I really enjoy the challenge of tree climbing and the satisfaction of being able to look back and see the physical difference I’ve made in the landscape at the end of a job. It’s also been really enjoyable to watch the trees I helped to plant last season leaf out in the spring – it’s made such a difference to the garden!