Rhododendron control business

[Lorn Logs]

Have moved back to Scotland after a few years in Spain working on palms etc, now, at 50 I dont want to climb or do much domestic tree work, I bought a lovely old house with a huge garden, completely surrounded by massive rhodo hedges, whilst removing these, I wondered about the viability of running a rhododendron control business maybe combined with hogweed control. I’m kind of kicking the idea around, and I would be grateful for any opinions,  observations, experiences of work in this kind of area....thanks in advance from a wet Scotland ...John

[Conor Wright]

Unless you plan on doing it from the comfort of a digger with a flail on the end I'd reckon domestic work would be easier.
That's not saying that there isn't work there, but is it the work you want?

[Lorn Logs]

Hmmm thats kind of what I was wondering. Thing is where I live, there is a huge problem with rhodo ponticum running wild everywhere, I thought a small business doing removal and control, without using heavy machinery might be a niche

[Stubby]

You do look a bit Spanish with that tash though !

[ESS]

11 minutes ago, Lorn Logs said:

Hmmm thats kind of what I was wondering. Thing is where I live, there is a huge problem with rhodo ponticum running wild everywhere, I thought a small business doing removal and control, without using heavy machinery might be a niche

There is potential . I have seen contracts offered in the past, and companies looking for cutters for clearance on the west coast.

After our last sortie up there cutting i swore i would never cut in n.w Scotland again in summer.

[Lorn Logs]

Yes, thats what i was thinking. Dont mind the midges etc, grew up on the NW coast. Am thinking about specialist clearance where ground disturbance is important....hand cutting, mulching and herbicide control over tracked stuff. To start with.....

[ESS]

3 minutes ago, Lorn Logs said:

Yes, thats what i was thinking. Dont mind the midges etc, grew up on the NW coast. Am thinking about specialist clearance where ground disturbance is important....hand cutting, mulching and herbicide control over tracked stuff. To start with.....

There was grant aid for landowners at one time, not sure if that still exists though.

Perhaps it would be worth contacting Tilhill and Scottish woodlands , both companies have a strong hold in Argyll , and both use sub contract. Might get your foot in the door.

 

[Lorn Logs]

3 minutes ago, ESS said:

There was grant aid for landowners at one time, not sure if that still exists though.

Perhaps it would be worth contacting Tilhill and Scottish woodlands , both companies have a strong hold in Argyll , and both use sub contract. Might get your foot in the door.

 

Yes, spot on, thats what i was thinking of doing. The F C arent much use 

[ESS]

1 minute ago, Lorn Logs said:

Yes, spot on, thats what i was thinking of doing. The F C arent much use 

Lot of hoops to jump through for FC contracts.

Good luck with it.

[Lorn Logs]

Thanks  very much ! Will advise re progress....