Fallers
Use axes or chainsaws to fell trees using knowledge of tree characteristics and cutting techniques to control direction of fall and minimize tree damage.
What this career actually involves
Key tasks
- Stop saw engines, pull cutting bars from cuts, and run to safety as tree falls
- Appraise trees for certain characteristics, such as twist, rot, and heavy limb growth, and gauge amount…
Skills and strengths
- Attention to performance and quality
- Critical thinking
- Fast reactions
- Whole-body coordination
Typical work environment
Work environment varies by employer; may combine office, field, client-site and practical settings
Employment type
Public sector; NGO/Development sector; Self-employment/Business
Study routes from KCSE onward
Kenya-specific pathways, drawn from KUCCPS and the relevant professional regulator.
Pathway after KCSE
KCSE → Agriculture → field attachment/enterprise experience → entry technical/production role → Fallers → specialist/manager/consultant or agribusiness
Typical training route
KCSE plus certificate/TVET/apprenticeship or structured on-the-job training
Representative KUCCPS pathway
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (AGRICULTURE) - representative route
Entry requirements
Degree mean grade C+. Representative minimum: Biology C or Agriculture C+ (respectively); other science/mathematics requirements vary by programme.
Training duration
Degree: about 4 years; diploma: about 2-3 years; certificate: about 1-2 years
Helpful KCSE subjects
Related courses
- Agriculture
- Agronomy
- Horticulture
- Agribusiness
- Agricultural Economics
- Crop/Animal Science
- TVET agriculture
Institutions offering this route
Examples, not an exhaustive list.
- Egerton University
- University of Nairobi
- JKUAT
- University of Eldoret
- Rongo University
- many agricultural TVET colleges
Professional regulator
No single statutory professional regulator identified for this general title
Demand and the effect of AI
Kenya demand
High - agriculture remains central to Kenya's economy; strongest prospects are in agribusiness, value chains, climate-smart agriculture and technical services.
Future outlook / AI impact
Important / technology-augmented — climate pressure, food demand and agritech keep the field relevant. AI, sensors, drones and precision tools will increasingly improve decisions rather than replace practical field expertise.
Possible specialisations
- All-Round Logger
- Arborist
- Arborist Assistant
- Arborist Climber
- Arborist Representative
Agriculture has many specialisms; match the course to crop, animal, agribusiness, extension or technology interests.
Could this career suit you?
May suit you if you enjoy science, the outdoors, production systems and solving food/environment problems; useful strengths include Attention to performance and quality, Critical thinking, Fast reactions.
Weighing this against something else?
Put them side by side on subjects, entry requirements, duration and outlook.
Related careers
Roles that share skills, subjects or study routes with this one.
Sources
Occupation data: O*NET 45-4021.00. Kenya pathway: KUCCPS / regulator. Last verified 24 August 2026.
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