FEATURE: Alistair’s career branches out thanks to first-class arboriculture degree

Myerscough College is regarded by many people to be the leading UK centre for further and higher education in arboriculture, and holds accreditation from the Institute of Chartered Foresters.

At Myerscough, there are a range of study programmes available at further and higher education level, as well as via the apprenticeship route.

This summer, Alistair Buchanan graduated with a first-class BSc (Hons) in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry.

Al had worked in the sector for a number of years before opting to back up his practical experience with formal qualifications, undertaking initially a foundation degree before topping up to a full honours programme during the last academic year.

His qualifications will now enable his business, Aimis Tree Care, based in Woking, Surrey, of which he is Managing Director, to flourish even further. Here, he offers a comprehensive range of tree management services with a core focus on tree care and the environment.

Speaking about his Myerscough journey, Al said: ‘’It's been a long four years completing this degree alongside running three businesses and balancing family life.

‘’The final year in particular brought some additional challenges, with a longer than expected recovery following a wrist operation.

‘’There were certainly times when finding the hours, and at times the energy, to study felt difficult, but reaching the end has made it an incredibly worthwhile journey.

‘’One thing this experience has reinforced is that arboriculture is a profession where learning never really stops. Every course, report, site visit and conversation with other professionals adds something new, and I believe that continual professional development is essential to providing the best advice for clients.

‘’A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout the degree. In particular, I want to thank my wife for her patience and understanding over the past four years.''

‘’There have been family events, weekends and holidays that I've missed or spent working towards deadlines, and I couldn't have achieved this without her support.

‘’I'd also like to thank everyone at Myerscough for their support, knowledge and guidance throughout the course, as well as my clients and colleagues for their understanding when university deadlines and dissertation work had to fit around everything else.

‘’I'm looking forward to applying what I've learnt as I continue developing my independent arboricultural consultancy, evolving the contracting side of the business, and working towards the next stage of my professional development.’’

We wish Al the very best for his future career.

Our tutors and students continue to set the international standard for education in arboriculture and many of our students progress to make significant contributions to the industry.

Myerscough introduced the UK’s first Foundation Degree, the first Honours Degree, the first online Degree and, most recently, the first Masters Degree in Arboriculture. We have a highly experienced team of staff who are well regarded in the industry and regularly deliver training and seminars to those working and researching the subject.

Myerscough boasts fantastic arboriculture facilities and is home to the purpose-built National Centre for Arboriculture, a state-of-the-art teaching facility for the subject.

There are not enough people who know that this is such a great career. People at school are not aware that working outside is a really great living. It's highly skilled, highly technical and uses a great range of personal attributes. And it's such fun!

As an arborist, one day you can be in the inner city on a social housing development, the next on somebody's grand private estate, the next surveying trees by the side of the road. It's so varied.

It's not just school leavers. At any stage you can choose a career in arboriculture. People are needed to plant millions of trees, to design the woodlands, to care for the trees, whether you work perhaps for the local council, or in private practice. There's never been a better time to work in the sector.

Click here to see the full range of arboriculture study programmes available at Myerscough College and University Centre, at school leaver, apprenticeship and degree level