Tree business must be good.

[widefat]

At least in my locale. I have been working on clearing a small area. I have one tree that has a severe lean over one of my sheds. I have learned quite a bit over the last few years, and can generally get a tree to fall where I want. However, this one makes me nervous. So, I have been calling local tree shops to come out and take a look. So far, I have contacted 5 - 3 have yet to return my call. Two set up appointments, but were no-shows. I understand it's a small job and some will not want to deal with it, especially when they can drive a couple of hours north and get $$$ for cutting a 3 foot bush in Conner and MacKennzies yard - but what galls me is the companies don't bother to even let me know they cant make it. No call, text, nada. Set an appointment and just dont show up. I'll be darned if I am going to chase anyone down in order to give THEM my money or business.

 

[EddieWalker]

People that cut trees down are hustlers. They aint normal, and everything they do reflects that. I have no idea what it's like where you live, but here, if you want somebody to cut your tree down, you find one that everyone recommends, give them a call, and ask them when they can come out to take a look. They are busy during the day, so they like to come out first thing in the morning or late in the evening.

I've only hired a guy once, so I'm no expert at hiring them, but I know quite a few of them from my clients who have done this, and it's always an adventure at who you get, and what they are like. Just don't think of them as professionals, or blue collar workers. It's more of a circus.

 

[nybirdman]

Just had a similar tree job;I was able to get a company that I had used before.All of our tree cutters are busy with Ash tree removal,large state and city contracts.Ash are dying to Ash borer.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Don't know what to tell you; I have probably spent $5000 in the last 5 years on tree removal. For the most part, those I have hired are notably unreliable. My one ploy that seems to work though, is if you can get them out, I tell them "no rush; give me a good deal and I'll let you work it in when things are slow." I do tell them, that once they start, I want them to stick with it until it's all done. That worked about half the time. One guy, who had to have "gas money" at noon the first day, was a former guest of the D.O.C.

My best results were pros that were recommended by friends. This one particular guy was great, but expensive.

One other guy finished the job except for the stump grinding. He started, and then quit...so I advertised on line for a stump grinder...and guess who responded? The same guy who didn't finish the job in the first place.

 

[newbury]

Welcome to the club.

There are a lot of people out there that won't climb up in a tree.

I had a 20" DBH maple on the fence of my 0.25 acre suburban lot that my next door neighbor was losing sleep over.

We really like that neighbor.

Quotes for removal were ~ $1K.



Did it myself.

It cost me A LOT MORE!!

I made it into lumber.



Got addicted to beautiful slabs of fresh sawn wood.
I ended up buying all the saws in my sig just to properly support my habit.
Plus a 73 acre plot in Mississippi so I can walk out of the house and cut trees anytime I want.
I realized I needed to withdraw some when I bought my Woodmizer



And then needed a bigger tractor to properly put logs on the sawmill



Plus a few more tools to process the wood



Sometimes I think that if I had just paid someone to do it my life would be a lot simpler.

 

[EarPlug]

Try Davey Tree Service. They are nationwide and I have used them in Colorado.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Welcome to the club.

There are a lot of people out there that won't climb up in a tree.

I had a 20" DBH maple on the fence of my 0.25 acre suburban lot that my next door neighbor was losing sleep over.

We really like that neighbor.

Quotes for removal were ~ $1K.

View attachment 560179

Did it myself.

It cost me A LOT MORE!!

I made it into lumber.

View attachment 560180

Got addicted to beautiful slabs of fresh sawn wood.
I ended up buying all the saws in my sig just to properly support my habit.
Plus a 73 acre plot in Mississippi so I can walk out of the house and cut trees anytime I want.
I realized I needed to withdraw some when I bought my Woodmizer

View attachment 560182

And then needed a bigger tractor to properly put logs on the sawmill

View attachment 560183

Plus a few more tools to process the wood

View attachment 560181

Sometimes I think that if I had just paid someone to do it my life would be a lot simpler.

I sense more "brag" than "complaint"! :laughing:

I had a Cottonwood removed; about 36-40" in diameter, and probably 70 foot tall...in between my house and my neigbor's...cost me $1400.00. Took one man three days, but no way I would have attempted it!

 

[hslogger]

Often and in general terms, landowners want the least expensive option for tree work.Maybe leaning heavily to "joe with a pickup, ladder, and chainsaw".
In my experience as a consumer, laborer, and contractor your best bet is to call a certified arborist. Certification by ASA, American society of Arborists, and ISA, International society of Arborists pretty much set the standards for residential type work. Their training goes beyond the strictly line clearance outfits hired by utility companies.

Over the last decade, the line clearing outfits have been training employees to those standards which is good. But getting back to the topic, outfits that go through the ISA and ASA trainings, are more often dedicated to conscientious business practices like providing a time and date to come make a written bid, and following through upon acceptance of the bid.

 

[widefat]

Welcome to the club.

There are a lot of people out there that won't climb up in a tree.

I had a 20" DBH maple on the fence of my 0.25 acre suburban lot that my next door neighbor was losing sleep over.

We really like that neighbor.

Quotes for removal were ~ $1K.

View attachment 560179

Did it myself.

It cost me A LOT MORE!!

I made it into lumber.

View attachment 560180

Got addicted to beautiful slabs of fresh sawn wood.
I ended up buying all the saws in my sig just to properly support my habit.
Plus a 73 acre plot in Mississippi so I can walk out of the house and cut trees anytime I want.
I realized I needed to withdraw some when I bought my Woodmizer

View attachment 560182

And then needed a bigger tractor to properly put logs on the sawmill

View attachment 560183

Plus a few more tools to process the wood

View attachment 560181

Sometimes I think that if I had just paid someone to do it my life would be a lot simpler.

Excellent!! You are the prototypical male!

 

[widefat]

Often and in general terms, landowners want the least expensive option for tree work.Maybe leaning heavily to "joe with a pickup, ladder, and chainsaw".
In my experience as a consumer, laborer, and contractor your best bet is to call a certified arborist. Certification by ASA, American society of Arborists, and ISA, International society of Arborists pretty much set the standards for residential type work. Their training goes beyond the strictly line clearance outfits hired by utility companies.

Over the last decade, the line clearing outfits have been training employees to those standards which is good. But getting back to the topic, outfits that go through the ISA and ASA trainings, are more often dedicated to conscientious business practices like providing a time and date to come make a written bid, and following through upon acceptance of the bid.

I like the certified arborist advice, I will see if I can locate one.
Heck, I dont even want the low bidder - I just want someone to talk to me!

 

[hawkeye08]

I had a ~40' tree close to shop with some branches rubbing on shop wall and roof. I had taken some of it down and my dad thought it was too dangerous for me. He hired a fancy outfit that took it down without hitting shop, chipped it all into their truck and ground the stump. I never saw the bill, and dad quit worrying about me getting hurt.

 

[newbury]

Great Dad!

 

[Thomas]

Last year tree service return and remove TALL dead pine and true to there word they did great removing 100% clean up but the wait time almost 3 months :confused2:...going rate $1.000 tree.

 

[Groo]

I've got a problematic red maple. Someone cat faced it decade or more ago right at ground level. It is right next to the house and leaning heavily towards it. My first htought is; rent a cherry picker and cut it into small pieces int he air, so it won't matter so much where they fall.

The downside there is I am probably too heavy for a cherry picker, so might end up hiring it out.

There are also some real big white pines in the yard I want to take out, but they look like they'll fall in safe directions.

 

[Sigarms]

When my dad hurt his back up in Pennsylvania and me being in NC, I came across the same problem calling Pa lawn care people. No one would return a phone call, couldn't find many people on any websites.

Had the same issue trying to find someone myself for various things.

People advertise their business, but it amazes me that some businesses won't even return a phone call from a possible future customer.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Last year tree service return and remove TALL dead pine and true to there word they did great removing 100% clean up but the wait time almost 3 months :confused2:...going rate $1.000 tree.

If It's only $1.000 per tree, why would they care about tenth of a penny? Lol

 

[tjkubota93]

I had the same experience. 1 big oak by the house that I wasn't 100% confident I could fell correctly. Called 1 guy with a nice business and nice equipment that I used several times in the past. His son or workers would answer and never follow through on appointments. From what I understand he might be "back on the bottle". Called 3 legitimate businesses recommended by friends. 2 made appts and didn't show. Called another guy I have used 2 times, has a big business (several trucks and crane, etc) he stalled for a month, finally called ready to show up when i was already done.

Finally called a fella who works for the city and cuts trees as a side business (has legit insurance for business). He came out and cut 3 trees for less than a business would cut 1 for. He climbed and cut them. I learned alot helping him.

I bought a small stump grinder used for $800 from home depot a while ago so I don't have to deal with stump cutter dudes. Those guys are crazier than the tree cutters!

 

[Fuddy1952]

If I had a tree that made me nervous I would check with rental places about renting a bucket truck for a day.
I had a tree like that here and I heard woodcutters working next door. Guy said he would come over and cut it down within 6ft. of ground for $450 cash.
It took him about 15-20 minutes. With bucket truck he whacked limbs starting at top working his way down. As he went he just tossed limbs to the side.
I paid him and I made the final cut and hauled everything off.
My point is no matter what the tree, with a good bucket truck it's not that big of a deal.
$1200+/hour ain't bad (for him).

 

[ning]

Sometimes I think that if I had just paid someone to do it my life would be a lot simpler.

I enjoyed your tale of woe... I think I've got a related affliction; it usually goes something like "if I do this myself, I can save money and get this or that tool in the process that makes the next job even more of a save!"... I need a bigger shop.

 

[Sigarms]

If I had a tree that made me nervous I would check with rental places about renting a bucket truck for a day.
I had a tree like that here and I heard woodcutters working next door. Guy said he would come over and cut it down within 6ft. of ground for $450 cash.
It took him about 15-20 minutes. With bucket truck he whacked limbs starting at top working his way down. As he went he just tossed limbs to the side.
I paid him and I made the final cut and hauled everything off.
My point is no matter what the tree, with a good bucket truck it's not that big of a deal.
$1200+/hour ain't bad (for him).

Wood chipper is worth their weight in gold IMO. I'm always amazed at how many trailer loads a small tree can fill. My burn pile is also getting ridiculously high.