Starting a Tree Business

[Schneeblie]

Hi all,

I have been browsing the forums and learning quite a bit, I have a question which will probably drive you nuts.

Quick background - we burn wood for heat in the Winter here in MN, so instead of buying it, I started asking local tree services if they would leave the downed trees on site, I would cut, pick up, haul and split for myself. I have since put posts online for people looking to get rid of wood and I have gathered around 5-8 cords/year for last 5 yrs.

I have amassed a nice collection of equipment - 20 Ton Hydraulic Splitter, 365 Husky 28", 455 Rancher 18/20", 142 Husky 16", (love the Huskies) 6 chains/saw, chain grinder, F-350 6.0L for hauling, rope, chain, axes, mauls, wedges, all this and more just for firewood for my family and cheap natural gas costs too.

The thing is, I enjoy doing downing trees and of course the smell of burnt 2 cycle, but more importantly, I know I can do this. I am not too cocky to understand that trees can smash you in a instant if you don't know what you are doing, I'm still here, lucky I guess.

Everyone is laughing now, weekend warrior wants to go pro....so here's my question...finally, what will it take to start a tree business? I know that being a certified Arborist is a plus, but as far as from the ground up? Equipment, insurance, shop, vehicles, lot for wood, climbers, etc.

I have a full time job now, so this would start as a weekend business until I could go say goodbye to that....

Let me have it! Good, bad, ugly comments and advice appreciated.

 

[Mikecutstrees]

starting a bussiness

My advise is start small. Right now you have ALOT of learning to do. Only being able to fell trees from the ground will limit the amount of work you can do considerably. Most homeowners either can drop trees themselfs or know of someone who will do it for them. I get very very few simple drops as jobs. Most jobs require aerial work. So not being able to get in the air will limit you. A chipper/ chip truck will help alot. Or maybe a dump trailer if you have somewhere to dump brush cheap. Keep learning. Skills of a good tree service are, a knowledge and ability to cable and inspect hazardous trees. Also the ability to rig down trees. Proper pruning techniques, abilities. I think a dump trailer would help you alot. Insurance is super important too! Also learning how to use a pole saw and make proper pruning cuts would be a goog step. PPE and keep learning. Become an established business as soon as possible this will help show down the road how many years you have been in business and will help get loans. This is a very difficult business to get into. Get a couple thousand business cards and start giving them out. Word of mouth will spread if you do good work. Good luck and keep asking questions.... Mike

 

[(WLL)]

you sound like a 43 year old no experienced wanna be treeman, that wants to buy himself a tree company and start hacking on trees. dont quit your day job bud!! & :welcome: welcome to arborist/chainsaw site:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[NHCowboy]

Holy attitude, Batman. So a guy has to learn a lot, rapidly, and not on-the-job-training we are so fond of in the Navy. Still can be done if you have a good 1 or 2 year plan. Wouldn't you say?

 

[Mikecutstrees]

Holy attitude, Batman. So a guy has to learn a lot, rapidly, and not on-the-job-training we are so fond of in the Navy. Still can be done if you have a good 1 or 2 year plan. Wouldn't you say?

I think veterans on here get frustrated with the same question week after week. I can understand. Also starting a business you need previous knowledge. You need to pay your dues. I went to college for environmental science, worked for homeowners, state parks etc doing simple tree work, taught Biology at the local community college, Worked for an established tree company for 2+ years all before I started my own business part time.
Newbies don't realize all of this. I'm sure alot other owners here have alot more experience before starting up than I did. So it can be insulting to hear.... " So how do I start my own tree company..... I have alot of equipment.... a truck and 3 saws.... do I need anything else.... etc etc. "
That being said it can be done if the person has the drive and wants to work hard and learn alot. I think thats what makes this country great. I wish I had more help when I first started. I made some rookie mistakes and that cost me. Mike

 

[Schneeblie]

WLL,
I have the same feelings about noobs in my field of work too, it's not uncommon for me to say the exact same things. At least I know there's some resentment there across the board about noobs and wannabe's. I asked for it, Thanks for the kick in the a$#.

 

[Schneeblie]

I think veterans on here get frustrated with the same question week after week. I can understand. Also starting a business you need previous knowledge. You need to pay your dues. I went to college for environmental science, worked for homeowners, state parks etc doing simple tree work, taught Biology at the local community college, Worked for an established tree company for 2+ years all before I started my own business part time.
Newbies don't realize all of this. I'm sure alot other owners here have alot more experience before starting up than I did. So it can be insulting to hear.... " So how do I start my own tree company..... I have alot of equipment.... a truck and 3 saws.... do I need anything else.... etc etc. "
That being said it can be done if the person has the drive and wants to work hard and learn alot. I think thats what makes this country great. I wish I had more help when I first started. I made some rookie mistakes and that cost me. Mike

That answered my question. I never meant to insult anyone, I just didn't know what training was involved. I just started with the chainsaw as a necessity for my family. If it's an insult for me to have a lot of equipment as a homeowner, all used equipment paid for with cash, and I have the drive to do something more with my life, rather than work for the giant company I work for now, that's bad?

 

[Mikecutstrees]

That answered my question. I never meant to insult anyone, I just didn't know what training was involved. I just started with the chainsaw as a necessity for my family. If it's an insult for me to have a lot of equipment as a homeowner, all used equipment paid for with cash, and I have the drive to do something more with my life, rather than work for the giant company I work for now, that's bad?

No I don't think it's bad, I actually admire your drive to better yourself. Thats what I did. Owning your own business is not all money and fame you know though..... Keep asking questions ..... Mike

 

[tree MDS]

No I don't think it's bad, I actually admire your drive to better yourself. Thats what I did. Owning your own business is not all money and fame you know though..... Keep asking questions ..... Mike

Next thing you're gonna tell me there aint no Santa either! Here I was waiting for my groupies and riches... DAMN!!

 

[Mikecutstrees]

No there is a santa... he brought me a nice new auto darkening welding helmet this year! Santa rules! haha Sorry to burst your bubble about the Groupies and beer though..... Mike

No wait I got a 12 pack from a job this year..... So there is beer....

 

[Dadatwins]

Given the current economic state there will be more than one new pickup- truck tree service starting up everywhere. To those that are thinking about it this a VERY dangerous business and is NOT as easy as the professionals out there make it look. People get hurt and killed doing this work, even those folks with years of experience and training. Suggest reading through the injury and fatality threads for a while and think about it. To those that still want to give it go, at least be professional, get proper training first and ask questions. Good luck and be careful.

 

[tree MDS]

No there is a santa... he brought me a nice new auto darkening welding helmet this year! Santa rules! haha Sorry to burst your bubble about the Groupies and beer though..... Mike

No wait I got a 12 pack from a job this year..... So there is beer....

Lol, there is always beer mike

I once did shots of tequila off my chipper fender with a customer - theyre always trying to get me to booze it up, sometimes they even ask in the morning or before we are even done working, (of course I decline) lol.

Its the tree hoes I've really been holding out for though...

Glad to see old santa brought you that helmet, I've been wanting one of those for years now.

 

[ropensaddle]

Clients and profit. At your age with no experiance you will have a rough
go of it. I am not saying it can't be done but just open your yp and see how many are in there. It would be a profitable business if every carpenter, laid
off auto worker etc. did not jump into it thinking how hard can it be! I actually heard that from a carpet layer, he heard a bid and said dang; I would do that for 400 when my bid was 1000. I laughed and said, yep; call me so I can watch. It really matters what your area's people have, is it like where I live, economically challenged? If so, it will be harder to get it's worth and you will likely fall into the trap of, wearing your equipment out and simply sustaining a failing business. Then it can get worse, you have a long dry spell and at this point have invested too much in a limited profit business and look at pickup guy's with envy. Everything in this business costs too much Ins, fuel, saws, advertising,equipment, I like the thought of being my own man but at 45 no health or life ins and doing dangerous work daily, if lucky, you will come to a realization that the government and competition has limited the possibility of much success in this business.

 

[tree MDS]

So yeah, jump in!! welcome to the party, lol.

 

[Bigus Termitius]

That answered my question. I never meant to insult anyone, I just didn't know what training was involved. I just started with the chainsaw as a necessity for my family. If it's an insult for me to have a lot of equipment as a homeowner, all used equipment paid for with cash, and I have the drive to do something more with my life, rather than work for the giant company I work for now, that's bad?

It's absolutely terrible...almost criminal. What are you thinking!

Get back in line, slave, and stop taking advice from these "will hack for beer" weekend warriors!

Just kidding! These guys are the best in the business. Don't let anyone discourage you...welcome to the site!

Study, ask questions, study, do....repeat. You've come to the right place.

Don't hack for beer...you can buy beer. If thou must hacketh and barter, hacketh for deer meat.

 

[ropensaddle]

It's absolutely terrible...almost criminal. What are you thinking!

Get back in line, slave, and stop taking advice from these "will hack for beer" weekend warriors!

Just kidding! These guys are the best in the business. Don't let anyone discourage you...welcome to the site!

Study, ask questions, study, do....repeat. You've come to the right place.

Don't hack for beer...you can buy beer. If thou must hacketh and barter, hacketh for deer meat.

But ,but,but I have been living on deer meat since October am about
to run out dern it. Hmmmmm time to go kill another before season is over

 

[Bigus Termitius]

One other thing...you have to love it. If money is your overwhelming motive then you're wasting you time, try something else.

The money management is important, don't get me wrong, good points already posted, but you have to love this to make it.

I love it, loved it from the start, therefore I strive to learn...and learn it all....the more I learn...the more I love it.

When my friends and family heard what I was going into, they knew it was me.

This is the only thing that has truly given me career satisfaction since I stopped farming with dad and walked away from other ag related interests. There are some choice similarities.

I understand the dynamics of failing businesses, believe me.

Judging from what you posted, you've probably got enough saw chips running through your veins to make a go of it. Good Luck and God Bless.

 

[Bigus Termitius]

But ,but,but I have been living on deer meat since October am about
to run out dern it. Hmmmmm time to go kill another before season is over

HeHe. I've been too busy this year to hunt.

I even turned down traditional hunts with friends. Rumor has it my heads in the trees.

Yeah, I know...all work and no play...tell me about it. Hopefully next season, I'll be a bit more 'balanced'...it's been educational.

 

[ropensaddle]

Big termy speaks with tongue of spotted owl, you must love the misery of
getting continuously scratched,bit,poked,wore out,sometimes cussed to
make it past go. You must love being drenched in skunk pizz when you
cut the occasional hollow that gushes smelly water all over you. You
must love the thought of doing a fine job and when you get down find
that you have a yellow jacket nest stirred up too late to do anything but
run and screem like a bitc? This is what will carry you through the hard times

 

[ozzy42]

I at least admire the man's motivation;improve his situation through his own hard work.
Do not discard what others are saying here.
Every thing you purchase from here on out ,except your work gloves ,and rake,are going to
1. be very expensive
2.have short shelf life,things wear out faster than you think.
3.have 'warning' 'danger' 'caution' and 'hazardous' written all over them,and for very good reason.
I think if you have a decent job ,and a secure one,you could maybe do your research now,but i honestly don't think this is a good time to jump into it right now.
Have you thought about a small stump grinder maybe?
You can find small ones fairly cheap,but you better be handy with tools ,for repairs ,and maintenence.
Something like that you could do on week ends ,and late after noons.And in the proccess pick up some small removals that are within your skill level.