I work as lead climber for a tree surgery company, so that's 8 hours of climbing a day, obviously at height with chainsaws, rigging, using cranes, working in super dangerous trees often in close proximity to power lines etc. I'm 32 and have worked my way up to where I am now paying for all of my 15 odd NPTC qualifications (£500-£1000 a pop) and I'm still only taking home £10 an hour, get near on 6 weeks payed holiday a year but its still a pittance for the risks I take! I do love my job but its wreaking my body and it just winds me up how pay scales are set in this country! Wages are lower where I come from and I could travel to earn more competitive rates for my industry......but why the fuck should I? Don't get me started on the joke that is our benefits system! In short.......don't get into tree work! But I hear spitting out kids and moaning about a bad back payes pretty well?