Hi, I'm Cecily and for nearly seven years I've been a climbing arborist at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. When I first started studying horticulture, I imagined my future firmly rooted in the soil, and I did not expect to find myself suspended high in the canopy of one of the world's most celebrated botanical gardens. But sometimes the direction that feels right is not the one you originally plan.
Discovering Arboriculture
I began my career studying horticulture in Edinburgh, completing my diploma at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. I was convinced gardening was my path. There was something deeply satisfying about nurturing growth and understanding plants at a detailed level.
As part of the course we rotated through different teams for placements. One of mine was with the arboriculture team. That week changed everything.
I returned for work experience, intending to stay for just a week. I stayed for a month. During that time I climbed my first tree. The team quite literally taught me the ropes and something clicked. It was the combination of physical challenge and technical thinking. The trust between climber and ground crew. The shift in perspective when you move into the canopy and see the landscape differently.
I realised I did not just enjoy it. I wanted to pursue it properly.
Training & Experience
I joined a two-year Trailblazer apprenticeship scheme, combining full-time practical work with formal qualifications through Berkshire College. Those years were intense and invaluable.
I worked on site every day while completing my climbing certifications and industry-recognised qualifications — aerial rescue training, rigging systems, chainsaw use at height, and detailed tree inspections and risk assessment.
The learning was constant. You build confidence gradually through repetition and responsibility. Arboriculture demands judgement as much as technical ability. The decisions you make affect long-term tree health as well as public safety. By the end of the programme I felt ready for that responsibility.
When a role became available at Kew, I applied. I was fortunate to be offered the position. Six or seven years later, I am still here and still learning.
Working at Kew
Kew spans 350 acres along the Thames and is recognised as both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a global centre for plant science. More than 50,000 living plants grow across its landscapes, from historic glasshouses to extensive arboretums and lakes.
The tree collection is exceptional. Veteran oaks, rare conifers and specimen trees from around the world form the structural backbone of the gardens. Many are historically significant. Some have stood here for centuries.
No two days are the same. We might be carrying out detailed inspections on mature trees that border busy pathways, or undertaking complex rigging operations to remove compromised limbs while protecting planting below. At certain times of year we collaborate with other teams to prepare the gardens for major events, working carefully within the canopy to ensure installations are safe.
All of this takes place in a public space that welcomes well over a million visitors each year. The responsibility is real and the standard must reflect the setting.
Balancing Safety & Conservation
One of the most interesting aspects of arboriculture at Kew is the balance between safety and conservation.
In high-traffic areas our duty of care is clear. We monitor structural integrity, manage deadwood and assess potential risk carefully and consistently. Decisions are proportionate and evidence-based.
At the same time, conservation underpins everything the gardens represent. In designated areas we allow natural ageing processes to continue. Deadwood is retained where appropriate. Habitat creation is considered thoughtfully. Veteranisation techniques are used to support biodiversity.
Understanding when to intervene and when to step back is part of the craft. It requires knowledge of tree biology, awareness of surroundings and a long-term perspective. It is not simply about maintaining appearance. It is about stewarding a living collection of global significance.
When working with a chainsaw at height, freedom of movement and dependable protection are essential. At Kew, our climbing team works in Arbortec — designed specifically for professional arborists and the demands of climbing work. It allows us to move freely while maintaining the level of protection required for the role. In an environment where expectations are high, using specialist equipment matters.
Life in the Canopy
Climbing remains the most distinctive part of the job. The moment you leave the ground, your focus sharpens. Movements become deliberate. Communication becomes precise. You rely on your training, your team and your systems.
Being part of a wider community of arborists who live and work outdoors every day is something I value deeply. That shared understanding of what the job really demands sits at the heart of what Arbortec calls TreeLife.
A Long View
There is a strong sense of custodianship in this work. The trees we manage today will shape the experience of visitors for decades to come. Some will outlive us entirely. Working on a veteran oak that has stood through centuries of change gives you perspective. Installing support systems to extend the life of a significant specimen carries weight. Watching a young tree establish itself brings a different kind of satisfaction.
Kew continues to evolve through research and conservation, yet it remains rooted in its history. As arborists, we are part of that continuity. We adapt our methods as knowledge advances while respecting the legacy embedded in the landscape.
Looking Back
When I first enrolled in horticulture, I expected a future spent at ground level. I did not foresee a career moving through canopies and balancing science with skilled manual work. Climbing that first tree changed my direction.
Now my workplace is vertical. The challenges are varied. The responsibility is significant. The setting is extraordinary.
Caring for trees at Kew is both a privilege and a commitment. It requires skill, judgement and continual learning. For me, it began with one climb and a decision to keep going.