Tree planting and woodland upkeep

Farmers, estates, landowners with grant-funded planting schemes, woodland charities, developers and forestry companies who subcontract.

Price per tree planted or per hectare, or a day rate on subcontract work. Planting is concentrated in the autumn to spring season, with maintenance work filling the rest of the year.

• Physical stamina for repetitive outdoor work
• Reading a planting plan and spacing trees accurately
• Basic fencing and hand tool skills
• Reliable, tidy work that earns repeat contracts

• Work is highly seasonal, so plan your cash flow for quieter months
• Public liability insurance, and check whether subcontracting clients need proof of it
• Many planting jobs are grant-funded and have standards to meet, so check what the client expects
• If you use pesticides or herbicides, check whether you need a certificate of competence
• Hard physical work in poor weather, with payment per tree that may reward speed over comfort

Startup costs are typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on your hand tools, vehicle and the materials you need. These are estimates, so check what each client expects before buying kit.

Monthly revenue is typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on the contracts you win and the hours you work. Work is highly seasonal, so plan your cash flow for quieter months.

Check whether subcontracting clients need proof of public liability insurance, and what standards grant-funded planting jobs expect. If you use pesticides or herbicides, check whether you need a certificate of competence.