Tree planting and long term woodland management are essential aspects of caring for the countryside - and never more so than today with the twin threats of climate change and the depletion of nature.

So it is good to know that hard-working, enthusiastic and determined individuals, like the Englefield Estate’s Forester, 19-year-old Fin Lace, have learnt the skills necessary to continue many generations of work looking after the Estate’s woodland.

Fin, who recently completed an in-house forestry traineeship and is now a full-time member of the forestry team, recommends the job to others as an excellent career choice for those prepared for hard work in all weathers. Seeing the results of properly managing woodland is rewarding.  But Fin says: “You’ll need to be patient too because you don’t immediately see the benefit of your work - sometimes it can be decades, other times it will be the next generation who’ll benefit!”

Fin first came to Englefield’s Forestry Team on a work experience placement when he was 16 years old and worked with the team for two summers. He officially started work at 17 and, now 19, he has undertaken various practical and theory courses and gained on the job experience which has led to a becoming an integral part of the Estate’s forestry team.

Fin’s first job was as a weekend helper on the butchery counter at Cobbs Farm Shop on the Estate.  He always wanted to work outside, so when the opportunity came along to take on forestry full time he grabbed it. “I wanted to a job where I could get my hands dirty,” he says.

He learnt the skills alongside experienced forester Rob Allen, as well as attending courses at agricultural colleagues around the UK, including Berkshire College of Agriculture.  Fin says: “Rob is passionate about forestry and has been eager to share his knowledge with me, which has made the learning process so exciting.”

Fin particularly enjoys working with the modern machinery necessary for forestry work – and takes pride in looking after young woodland, especially the thinning and formative pruning, necessary to help young trees produce a good, full canopy.

He says: “Saplings are planted and cared for in their early years by removing weed competition. If it’s needed, when they’re older, we prune them to encourage growth and improve timber quality.  

“I also really enjoy thinning. In forestry management, you need to make sure that the trees have the best chance at getting sunlight, so essentially, we remove some to give others more space to grow.”

Fin loves the variety in the job, even the days when it is either scorching in high summer or freezing cold in the winter. Alongside work in the woods, the Forestry Team carry out fencing tasks in the deer park, help out with setting up for the popular Heritage Live Summer Concerts that take place annually at Englefield House and assist on Schools Days.

This year, when the Englefield Estate welcomed around 1,500 primary school children over two days, Fin and the team created a “build-a-tree” game to inspire the pupils to learn more about photosynthesis and how trees grow, using coloured pieces of wood that had to be correctly pieced together.

Englefield Estate’s Forestry Manager Rich Edwards is full of praise for the excellent start Fin has made in the job. “During work experience, Fin showed a real promise. He was engaged and interested in the forestry operation and conservation, and that’s why we were pleased to offer him the opportunity to train with us alongside gaining formal qualifications,” Rich says. “Fin does everything with a smile on his face, he’s a hard worker and always keen to improve.”

The training provided, on the Estate and through formal courses, includes tree planting, protection, pesticide handling, tree felling, all terrain vehicle driving, brush cutting, wood chipping, tractor driving and timber forwarding.

Rich credits forester Rob Allen with giving Fin the skills he needs to succeed. “Rob has been instrumental in helping train Fin, passing on his skills to the next generation of Foresters,” he says.

The Estate’s Forestry Team manages 3,500 acres of woodland which makes up over one-quarter the Englefield Estate. With a production cycle of a century or more, the woodlands are managed under a long-term plan which ensures that not only a sustainable timber crop is harvested, but also so that effective carbon sequestration can take place, whilst the woodland provides safe habitats for a diverse range of species.

The Englefield Estate is committed to training the next generation of foresters and has a long-standing partnership with the Royal Forestry Society (RFS) to help achieve this. Individuals keen to follow in Fin’s footsteps and begin a career in forestry alongside gaining formal qualifications can visit the RFS website to explore the jobs and courses available, as well as advice on subjects to study at GCSE and A Level to suit a career in forestry. Visit rfs.org.uk/careers.