Advice For Adding Tree Service To Landscape Company

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TheViking

Can't see the forest for the trees
Joined
Apr 13, 2014
Messages
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Location
Chattanooga,TN
I’m looking to add a tree service to our existing landscaping company. I can fell trees but my experience climbing is nil as my certification as an arborist.

First question do I really need certification as I see plenty of companies not advertising any certification.

Second for training has anyone used Treetudor.com or the Working Climber DVD Series.

Also can anyone recommend the filling titles

Tree Climbers Guide 3rd Edition

To Fell A Tree

Knots At Work

The Tree Climbers Companion

Third as far as my insurance how high would be a good recommendation of coverage? My guess is a million.

Thank you!


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All good books...but you need to start by learning about the patient first. A LOT can be done on small trees.

A New Tree Biology
Illustrated Guide to Pruning
Modern Arboriculture
Up by Roots
Read some Chris Luley: https://chrisluleyphd.com/publications/
See Ed Gilman: https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/pruning.shtml

No...you don't need to be certified...unless there are state or local regulations. Yrs...there are a LOT a hacks out there who have little idea what they are doing, but can climb well or know equipment well. There are good arborists who are not Certified too.

What kind of tree work do you want to add? Good or crappy? If good learn about trees.
 
All good books...but you need to start by learning about the patient first. A LOT can be done on small trees.

A New Tree Biology
Illustrated Guide to Pruning
Modern Arboriculture
Up by Roots
Read some Chris Luley: https://chrisluleyphd.com/publications/
See Ed Gilman: https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/pruning.shtml

No...you don't need to be certified...unless there are state or local regulations. Yrs...there are a LOT a hacks out there who have little idea what they are doing, but can climb well or know equipment well. There are good arborists who are not Certified too.

What kind of tree work do you want to add? Good or crappy? If good learn about trees.
I love your last line. I see so much crappy tree work it drives me crazy. People actually pay good money for it too. Had a guy around here with a pickup, wood sides with a pickup truck cap on top of it and using it as a chipper truck. You know the type of guy, just starting out, all he could afford, etc. Saw him driving around a few times, found myself kind of rooting for him to make it (many of them don't). Then I went by a job he was doing and did a drive-by after he was done. No more rooting for him, what a bunch of crap work, stubs, torn cuts, huge mess left in the street.
 
I love your last line. I see so much crappy tree work it drives me crazy. People actually pay good money for it too. Had a guy around here with a pickup, wood sides with a pickup truck cap on top of it and using it as a chipper truck. You know the type of guy, just starting out, all he could afford, etc. Saw him driving around a few times, found myself kind of rooting for him to make it (many of them don't). Then I went by a job he was doing and did a drive-by after he was done. No more rooting for him, what a bunch of crap work, stubs, torn cuts, huge mess left in the street.
I have wood sides on my pickup o_O
:ices_rofl:

But yeah...I know what you mean. What the tree looks like when it is done is what matters.
 
In all seriousness, I would avoid adding a tree crew. You gotta iron up and retain employees for that. Additionally you’re going to have to separate your biz so you’re not paying tree guy w/c rates on your landscape workers.

It’s a ton of money to get in and to stay profitable you have to have the machines.
 
I love your last line. I see so much crappy tree work it drives me crazy. People actually pay good money for it too. Had a guy around here with a pickup, wood sides with a pickup truck cap on top of it and using it as a chipper truck. You know the type of guy, just starting out, all he could afford, etc. Saw him driving around a few times, found myself kind of rooting for him to make it (many of them don't). Then I went by a job he was doing and did a drive-by after he was done. No more rooting for him, what a bunch of crap work, stubs, torn cuts, huge mess left in the street.

Quality work always sets you apart. Locally we have similar crews operating. It makes me go wow I could do that and do a better job at the same time. Starting out you may have a rough set up but if five years later you are still driving the same trucks and no improvement on them, but n fact looking like you dropped a tree across the beds of both. Maybe it’s time to reinvest in your business or raise your rates and stop trying to undercut others.


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All good books...but you need to start by learning about the patient first. A LOT can be done on small trees.

A New Tree Biology
Illustrated Guide to Pruning
Modern Arboriculture
Up by Roots
Read some Chris Luley: https://chrisluleyphd.com/publications/
See Ed Gilman: https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/pruning.shtml

No...you don't need to be certified...unless there are state or local regulations. Yrs...there are a LOT a hacks out there who have little idea what they are doing, but can climb well or know equipment well. There are good arborists who are not Certified too.

What kind of tree work do you want to add? Good or crappy? If good learn about trees.
I want to add a good service and made it available to my clients. Thank you for the recommendations!



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In all seriousness, I would avoid adding a tree crew. You gotta iron up and retain employees for that. Additionally you’re going to have to separate your biz so you’re not paying tree guy w/c rates on your landscape workers.

It’s a ton of money to get in and to stay profitable you have to have the machines.

Thank you and I see where you are coming from. However I’m not looking to add a crew but increase my abilities and hire a second employee who I could use as a ground worker, while I took the risk involved in climbing.

Even landscaping I typically work alone on larger projects I will add help, I have used up to two labors morning on only one project however. I’m not trying to be the biggest but simply be the best and add additional services to our operation.


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