The term used for all the work needed once trees are established and before they are harvested is ‘silviculture’. As well as caring for young trees, main silviculture operations
include seed cone collection, pruning, and chainsaw thinning. Silvicultural workers can become highly skilled and make a good living from their work.
Silvicultural work is often undertaken through spring, summer and autumn, and many workers switch to tree planting in the winter.
Silvicultural workers may receive fire training.
SNAPSHOT INFO
EARNING POTENTIAL
$49,500 – $80,000
QUALIFICATION REQUIRED
NONE AT ENTRY
PHYSICALLY DEMANDING
HARD PHYSICAL WORK
ABSENCE FROM HOME
MAINLY IN THE NELSON/TASMAN REGION BUT SOME AWAY WORK IN BULLER/WEST COAST
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
You will need to be fit, strong and prepared to work outdoors in all weather and on all types of terrain. Pruning sometimes requires working at height on ladders. Thinning to waste is done using chainsaws, so chainsaw training is needed, and a mechanical aptitude. Good judgement and decision making are also important, and workers must be safety conscious.
The work is often based on ‘piece rates’ meaning the harder you work, the more you get paid. The job involves early morning starts and sometimes long travel distances and working
as part of a team.
CAREER PROGRESSION
Silvicultural workers can progress to become crew foremen and managing their own crews and to achieve National Certificated based on NZQA unit qualifications.