My Job as an Assistant Forest Manager

A Blog by Lucy Marsden

Lucy joined the team in August 2023 and is based in the Kirkby Lonsdale office.

She graduated from Harper Adams University with a BSc in Countryside and Environmental Management. As part of the course, she undertook a placement year with the Uplands Team of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust based in County Durham.

After volunteering on an estate in Scotland working in and around forestry, she gained an interest in the sector. She was first introduced to Tilhill Forestry when as part of the course at Harper Adams the students visited Lake Vyrnwy, a Tilhill Forestry and Harvesting managed site in Wales. There she gained insight into forestry management and applied for the graduate programme.

Lucy assists one of the Senior Forest Managers in the delivery of woodland management and supervision of contracts.

“So, what do you actually do?” 

Since starting my job at Tilhill Forestry, I’ve encountered a lot of confusion when I tell people I work in the forestry sector. The common image is of me felling trees with a chainsaw or planting thousands of trees myself. Inevitably, I get asked, “So, what do you actually do?”

In the Office

As an Assistant Forest Manager (AFM), my role can be either office-based, on-site all day, or a mixture of both. In the office, I handle tasks like ordering trees and materials, contacting contractors, and ensuring everything arrives on-site at the right time. This involves raising purchase orders (POs) for general suppliers, nurseries, and contractors, making phone calls to nurseries, and arranging deliveries. I also create work instructions, risk assessments, emergency response cards, and location maps for contractors to ensure everything runs smoothly and safely when on site. 

On-Site

On-site, I conduct visits to check that no trees are blocking pathways and that forest tracks are in good and usable condition. I also carry out safety and assurance inspections on contractors, expecting them to adhere to high safety standards and meet our specifications. Additionally, I set up multiple 0.1-hectare BUP (Beat Up) plots to determine the percentage of BUP trees we need to achieve the correct stocking density, as well as, measuring timber at roadside stacks to calculate the number of tonnes we have at roadside. Other on-site duties include taking deliveries of materials and trees, meeting contractors for pre-commencement meetings before they start work, and ensuring the public uses designated footpaths to maintain their safety on-site. 

My Dog

Each day as an Assistant Forest Manager is different, and no two weeks are the same, which makes it an exciting and fulfilling job.

Another great benefit to the job is that the office welcomes dogs which each manager brings in! Taking my terrier to work each day has its benefits: it creates a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, helps reduce stress, and encourages me and my colleagues to take regular breaks, which can boost productivity and morale. 

Managerial Role

Yes, I am a forester, but my role is more managerial. I oversee various operations and ensure everything runs smoothly, safely, and efficiently. My job is to coordinate, plan, and manage resources and people, rather than physically felling trees myself!