Getting Started in the Tree Business

B.D.Wolff Enterprises

I am in college right now. I am at Purdue University, my major is Agribusiness Management and during the summers I run my own company. I cut trees residentially, sell firewood, have a bobcat for grading, trim back fields for farmers, and do some landscaping on the side. I have been running my own business since i was 9 and know that it my what i want to do in the long run. I have been working on a business plan while i am here at school and plan to launch my company as soon as i graduate. I have some questions though, while i am writing my business plan and i am trying to figure out how many tree jobs i can expect? What is typical business for you guys? (I live in central Maryland) I have a lot of the tools needed to get started in the business but when i get out of school i plan to take on a loan and hit everything a lot harder. Any tips or pointer would be great and much appreciated.

As far as jobs coming up i will be home for spring break and will be doing some of my older clients landscaping. When i get home in the summer i have two tree jobs lined up and a patio to install. I also am going to be advertising for firewood and hope to double my firewood customers this coming year

newguy18

First off,a good climber is essential,not some one who comes on as a hot shot,but someone who really knows what he is doing,but is also willing to learn.second keep your machinery in good shape,an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.Also,don't buy junk equipment,its really not worth it in the long run.Also get a good client base established,and if it don't feel right don't do it.

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old schooler

Drouin Tree Service

Listen to newguy

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Drouin Tree Services | Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland | Landclearing Melbourne

B.D.Wolff Enterprises

Currently i have a climber that works for our county and has all his certifications. I want to learn to climb and have all the gear i need to do so, but i am not up to par with the rest of the tree guys. I also try and use a man lift every time i have a tree that needs climbing but sometimes it is not very practical.
Currently i have a Stihl 660, 290 a 753 bobcat, a stihl pole saw, dump trailer, and a 3/4 ton pickup
I rent a chipper from a buddy.

When i expand my business when i graduate i plan to buy a slightly used 1 ton truck to use for chips and firewood delivery, a used chipper (probably a brush bandit), another skid steer (New Holland with rubber tracks) and a commercial wood splitter.

How many tree jobs do you guys do per week? I am trying to estimate my income upon expansion what would be a good number of jobs to figure on? I have a very good rapport with my current customers and am always getting new firewood customers.

newguy18

There is no real way of saying how many you can do per week,espically being self employed,it varies on the market,the type of work and the skill of the crew,i've had times where i done one a week,i've also done 20 jobs per week and i climb everything.

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old schooler

B.D.Wolff Enterprises

okay thanks.
What do you think about all the equipment choices i have made? I have budgeted for 60000 for a start up loan. How did you start?

cut-right

As far as equipment. I am very glad I started off with a 16 foot, 26000 lbs rated dump with large chip capacity and log capacity. Cat deisel. I couldnt imagine not having a large truck. Ive got a 1 ton for pulling dump trailer and other equip. I put my skid steer in the back of the dump, pull the chipper and its off to work. I like being able to remove a huge oak in 1 load.

It seems essential to me. Capacity.

newguy18

Around here,most would rather save some money and haul off themselves so i don't need equipment to move logs,brush or leaves vey often.I wish i started off with 60k,would have been nice,i started with a set of sours,harness 50' or rope,and 2 saws.

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old schooler

majestic1

Hello my friend.

I started my tree business in 1999, right after I graduated from high school. It has paid my way for college, ISA certification, and a lot of other great things. If I could go back, I would never get heavily invested in the tree removal business. It is a lot of physically hard work and chronically plagued with skilled labor shortage.

I think it is best to learn to be a great climber/pruner/rigger while in school, work an average of 3 full days a week, enjoy your free time and/or pick up a second vocation. Invest only the amount of money you can afford to invest by working 3 days/week. Focus on providing exceptional service, client relations, and arboricultural career training for yourself.

If you still want to be in the tree business once you graduate, start focusing your business efforts (and finances) on tree injections and other tree-related treatments, fertilization, consultation, and expert tree pruning (especially young trees). Develop your tree care clientele through your existing tree removal clients. This type of work is very profitable and has much more long term sustainability because it is less physically demanding/easier.

That is my opinion. If you want more of it, let me know.

Good luck!

newguy18

Good advice,alot more money in pruning and treecare,i'm stuck in an area which has a high demand for tree removals,good money but alot of work plus it doesn't afford alot of repeat buisness.

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old schooler

Drouin Tree Service

Buy a used bucket/dump combo like ex asplundh etc.IMO

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Drouin Tree Services | Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland | Landclearing Melbourne

treekiller

This truck has been my best investment in efficiency since I purchased my bucket truck in 2000.
The box is 8X21 feet, loader has 4000+ pound capacity.
Can reach over fences for clean up. Can chain drag logs till they are within reach. Can pick big wood overhanging obstacles at 28 feet high.
Cleans stump grindings in a couple scoops.
I built it with a short wheel base for getting into tight spots. No dump box, but unloads quickly with the grapple loader.
Very versatile money maker.

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Drouin Tree Service

Great set up!!

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Drouin Tree Services | Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland | Landclearing Melbourne

B.D.Wolff Enterprises

I have toyed with the idea of getting a bigger truck but i am thinking to get a heavier dump to haul chips and firewood. Eventually getting a larger truck to haul logs. I am thinking like a f 550 or f 450 something that size. As far a as a lift i really like to use trailer lifts, they have a decent reach and are pretty light so they dont ruin the customers yard. Another thing i guess i wasnt clear on with the title of this post. I do this stuff now but only in the summer being 2 states away from my equipment makes it pretty hard to get any work done....