You could look at it the other way around- your area is ripe for you to educate folks to the right way of doing trees; you have no competition from tree guys who do the job right.
Before & After Tree Care
- Thread starter bonner1040
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You could look at it the other way around- your area is ripe for you to educate folks to the right way of doing trees; you have no competition from tree guys who do the job right.
SkwerI
Treehouser
I always walk away from topping jobs. I refuse to allow my name to be associated with hack work, which might be why I'm booked 2 weeks out as a subcontractor while lots of guys are sitting on their thumbs with no work. Anybody can do it wrong, but if they want it done right they wait for me. It took me a long time to build my reputation and I'm not risking it for one crappy topping job.
Tucker943
Bamboo Plantation Owner
Fi don't top. I don't lop side. I don't lion's tail. I don't knock anyone that does. I don't like those practices, so I don't do them. If someone wants the work, more power to them. I've stayed pretty busy over the years being able to do work that I am pleased with when I am finished. Why add work that I don't stand behind?
MasterBlaster
Administrator Emeritus
Damn straight.
Tucker943
Bamboo Plantation Owner
Cory, you have a good point. Back in the 80s, a man named Ike Olson owned a large and successful tree company that dominated the area. He sold people on top quality work at fair market value. My customers still praise his name regularly. His measurable success was built on quality tree care. I believe it can be done again with enough time. Most of the companies in this area are owned by older men in the same age group that are getting ready to wrap things up. There are no other young men my age starting out on their own here. I think in the next 5 to 10 years I will have a stronger hand in persuading people in the area.
arborworks1
Treehouser
Education is the key. And the desire to fight thru the bad customers. I've talked myself blue in the face about no topping. Only to ride by a few days later and hacks are us are butchering the hell out of them. I always stop and get a highquality photo with something for scale, just for education down the road.
What a dirty sob, I'm being. The general public doesn't have a clue what it takes to do this job and do it well. I always applaud my fellow arborist when I see quality and character being displayed.
What a dirty sob, I'm being. The general public doesn't have a clue what it takes to do this job and do it well. I always applaud my fellow arborist when I see quality and character being displayed.
MasterBlaster
Administrator Emeritus
Trees have been around forever w/o our help. I don't think the desires of a ignorant homeowner is gonna wipe them out anytime soon.
Know whut I mean?
Know whut I mean?
sotc
Dormant hero!!
Chris, I am very similar in my methods. I don't know how many times I have talked folk out of work, or said call me next year. In the long run, those folks know your a quality outfit, send referrals your way and become faithful clients. Keep it up
Heres a before and after from a few years back
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DIWejTYxV74" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Heres a before and after from a few years back
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DIWejTYxV74" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
MasterBlaster
Administrator Emeritus
Oh my, yes!
CurSedVoyce
California Hillbilly
Lord look at all the mistletoe! Nicely done 
john shutler
Treehouser
some reductions from the last 6 months. ive got lots of after photos and very few before pics. and as this is the before and after tree care thread...
CurSedVoyce
California Hillbilly
This one looked like a task to clean out ...
canadiantreeman
TreeHouser
A properly done reduction is the pinnacle of what we do, IMO. Balancing tree need with homeowner needs. And those that can perform them sans buckets are master climbers. It is not easy balancing a canopy without a lift as its all tip work. Though I've done some of my best reductions out of a lift, climbing reductions are far more difficult.
treesandsurf
Treehouser
Beautiful work John Shutler, I like your style. I agree canadian, well done reduction work is some of the most enjoyable (and difficult) part of tree work. Here's a photo from a large silk oak I did about a week or two back.
woodworkingboy
TreeHouser
Very nice, Jon.
CurSedVoyce
California Hillbilly
Very nice indeed!
canadiantreeman
TreeHouser
Take that tree...that'll teach you for growing!
All cuts made to nodes or laterals, I'll have you know.
MasterBlaster
Administrator Emeritus
Very nice. Collect the check!!!
SkwerI
Treehouser
Looks quite natural (from a distance). Good job!
bonner1040
Nick from Ohio
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #45
I think it looks natural in the first pic, but much better in the second 
Great work Dylan! I am sure the customer was happy to drive up to such a change.
Great work Dylan! I am sure the customer was happy to drive up to such a change.
CurSedVoyce
California Hillbilly
I'd say great job. Looks real nice in an urban setting
bonner1040
Nick from Ohio
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #47
Now if only there was a timelapse of the process!
canadiantreeman
TreeHouser
Hey, I just got the camera yesterday. Now I have to go and read the manual 
Oh, and the HO's called when they got home. I wasn't able to finish the birch in the back because I had to run home and watch the kiddos for the wife to go to work. They love it!
Oh, and the HO's called when they got home. I wasn't able to finish the birch in the back because I had to run home and watch the kiddos for the wife to go to work. They love it!
bonner1040
Nick from Ohio
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #49
It looked good!
What kinda camera you get?
What kinda camera you get?
canadiantreeman
TreeHouser
Nikon CoolpixL810...my first foray into more expensive cameras. I like the idea of tooling around with a camera!
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