David Price

High Elms is a well regarded Arboricultural contractor in the St Albans/Harpenden area. It has Arboricultural association approval and a strong client base for high end domestic as well as local authority contracts. The work is hugely varied from garden to garden and is specialized to cater for every client. Starting as a Lead climber/lorry driver, I progressed into a more ground operation/managerial role in line with my age bracket. I have been instrumental in securing several company accreditations throughout my tenure at the company.

Gristwood and Toms is one of the largest local authority tree contractors in the country with numerous contracts in North London, Birmingham and Portsmouth. I started as a relatively inexperienced tree climber with the relevant qualifications working on the Enfield contract. The work involved scheduled pruning, maintenance and emergency tasks on street and park trees throughout the borough. Crown reductions, pollarding and re-pollarding, felling and planting were standard fare throughout the seasons. Continued professional development allowed me to gain my full Hgv entitlements for bigger tipper/flatbed lorries and large wood chippers. I also gained Pesticide, Traffic Management, Aerial Rescue, Land based machinery (MEWP) and Advanced Rigging Qualifications.

Working on a small team in a redevelopment project of the former Glaxo-Welcome site in Berkhamsted,

Duties included restoration and replanting of the historic Japanese garden, Italian sunken Garden and Croquet lawn around the Mansion House. The new build of a retirement village in the grounds required extensive grading, top soiling, shrub and tree planting, mulching and turfing following landscaping plans from the developer Ward Homes.. Maintenance of the scheme was then continued until the gardens had fully established. I was eventually left in charge of managing all plant orders and maintenence until project completion. Ward Homes 'Castle Village ' subsequently won national recognition for best landscaping at the Britannia National Homebuilder Awards.

• Delivered projects in line with budget and timeframe requirements.
• Operated ride-on mowers, trimmers and leaf blowers.
• Delivered top quality service to encourage customer referrals.
• Used wide range of hand tools, horticultural machinery and powered hand tools.
• Discussed long and short-term plans directly with clients, offering invaluable advice relating to proper gardening.