William Adams

I started Adams Apple Tree Surgery in 2021, after working for Surrey and Sussex Tree Surgery since leaving college. This was a very daunting step in my career, but I felt ready to further my skills and learn new skills associated with running a business.

I started with a bank loan to buy a van, chipper and some hand tools, and went out looking for clients. I will never forget the first day waking up as a self employed tree surgeon, faced with the challenge of finding my first job. After 4 successful years I have grown the business well, managing a small team of people allowing me to carry out larger jobs, and branched out into landscaping, fencing, garden maintenance, countryside maintenance and agricultural operations. I have developed many skills and learned a lot, which I have summarised below:

• Organisational skills - organising my time to allow me to quote and carry out a range of tasks for clients
• People management - organising a small team of staff to allow jobs to be carried out safely and efficiently
• Managed financial operations, ensuring business profitability
• Developed competitive pricing structures for maximising profits
• Practical skills - some tasks regularly carried out included all aspects of tree surgery, hedge cutting, grass cutting, strimming, log splitting, domestic and agricultural fencing, landscaping, tractor driving

Whilst running my tree surgery business, I also worked one day a week at Pierrepont Farm - a 200 acre dairy farm in Frensham, Surrey. This was primarily tractor and yard work, including scraping slurry from the cattle sheds, feeding the cows using a mixer wagon, feeding bales of hay/silage, bedding straw yards, and field work such as mowing, bale carting and topping. I also worked with the livestock on occasions, including moving cattle to off lying fields using a truck and trailer, and helping the herdsman with day to day tasks if needed. Unfortunately this role came to and end in 2024 when the farm tenancy expired and the farm changed hands.

I started working for Leigh Hopkins at Surrey and Sussex Tree Surgery when I was 16. Leigh took me on as a apprentice and taught me a lot of the skills which have got me where I am today. During my time in this employment, I progressed to become team leader and main climber, and became a good asset to the company.

• Climbed trees to perform aerial tree care tasks
• Kept updated records of completed projects; ensured organisational efficiency.
• Operated chainsaws, wood chippers and other machinery in line with safety protocols.
• Conducted site clearance tasks, ensuring a clean environment post task completion.
• Carried out tree felling operations without causing harm to surrounding vegetation.
• Trimmed and pruned trees for safety precautions.
• Liaised with clients about job specifics maintaining open communication throughout project duration.
• Maintained tools for optimal performance on the field.