!!!! Experienced and Knowledgable Tree Surgeons HELP required !!!!

[agg221]

Hi Abigail,

 

I don't run an arb business, so feel free to discount these comments, but they might help.

 

Firstly, you need to get your terminology right. Arboriculture isn't just tree felling. Tree felling could mean commercial forestry, or it could mean work in a mostly domestic or utility setting. These have very different drivers. Commercial forestry is a version of long-cycle farming, where all input/output is measured on sale of a tangible product (timber, chippings, bark etc). Productivity is heavily influenced by equipment as you're trying to extract high tonnages of material efficiently.

 

Arboriculture, or the care and maintenance of trees, is more of an hourly based service industry. It carries a higher capital cost than many equivalent industries, e.g. plumber/electrician, and is higher risk as you're working with an unpredictable environment, so whereas a good electrician won't electrocute himself, a good arboriculturist can't necessarily predict whether a particular tree is sound or not, and is working at height, with sharp tools.

 

Given the above, a time-based pricing method is normal, with allowance for covering consumables and capital outlay. Unlike many other businesses however, there is an inherent generation of material which is waste in its original setting. This can be considered as a supplementary income stream, with varying levels of additional conversion cost, based again on capital outlay, time and skill level. At the lowest end, taking your arisings to a tip site and paying for disposal, passing the cost on to the customer is the simplest. Selling biomass chip requires little extra investment (assuming that you chip your waste anyway) but you need enough volume. Converting to firewood can in theory be done with minimal outlay, but in practice if you don't have reasonable equipment and a regular supply of suitable species, in suitable form, and make a significant capital investment, you are unlikely to make more out of it than out of disposing of the arisings and spending your time earning more money doing the 'day job'. Selling to high value end uses, such as milling, carving etc. is possible, but intermittent and frustrating. It also requires either a regular outlet or a large storage facility (=more cost). It's notable that quite a few businesses progress from arboriculture (lowest outlay) to supply of wood-based product, often firewood, buying in raw material, i.e. they stop 'tree felling' altogether.

 

Not sure if this is useful, but it might be worth thinking about what specific questions would help with your research and posting them individually.

 

Alec

[abigail.waddecar]

my project is on a particular business which is a tree and gardening business if u dont have any info on it then there is no need to comment

[abigail.waddecar]

thank you for your message alec x

[abigail.waddecar]

its broad because i have no idea what to ask about the business or what to look into thats what im reasearching lol xx

[RobArb]

Just out of curiosty then, how come you are doing an arb degree? Shouldn't you at least be working in the industry? Thats what i was told when applying anyway:biggrin:

[abigail.waddecar]

i own a tree company with my dad and yes i am working in the industry.... i have to research into what other people are doing ...

[RobArb]

ah, it just doesn't come across that way in your original post.

 

As others have stated try to wean a little information at a time or explain your background and what you are trying to achieve, not just BAM and expect all the answers:001_smile:

 

It is all well and good collating research but when you ask other to do all the leg-work for you some, or in this case i feel most, are not willing to participate:001_rolleyes:

 

Not trying to put a downer on things, just being pragmatic and trying to give you a little helpful advice from a frequent forum user:thumbup:

[abigail.waddecar]

all i want is to find out if their is some helpful people on here that have intersting points that could help me with my project. not people that have nothing better to do than take the mic??

[jaime bray]

hi my name is abigail waddecar and i am currently studying an arboriculture degree at myerscough college. i am currently researching into different methods into expanding tree feling business's and am looking into different ways to make money. if anyone can help me i would be very greatful ... thank you ......

 

ways of waste disposal to make money?

using waste material for carving?

problems and complications you faced when running or setting up your buisness?

ways of expanding client bases?

any specialist equipment that may have made any jobs easier?

costs of staff how much pay a day?

staff mangment climbing kit ?

different members in a workforce?

 

 

any experiences in running a business that you think may help ???

 

any information or input into expanding a tree felling business i would be very greatful ... thank you x

 

May I ask, Is this research for a college assignment or for a business you have recently become involved in that you are looking to move forward?

[geoff]

Back to basics,I think loads of people want answers to the questions you raise,but it's such a wide spectrum of answers you ask for in one hit that us old grunts can't correlate it all in one lump,hence the info not getting to you here on this thread.

This is not criticism,just an overload of requested answers.

Go specific on the posts,reasearch the forum,& it will prove to be most informing resource.

Best of luck in your ventures,& keep with it.