Tree Service
To provide care and maintenance for trees.
The tree service business provides a variety of opportunities for those
who enjoy physical work in the outdoors. Tree Service work runs a gamut
of routine care and maintenance of trees including pruning, dead branch
removal and insecticide application and also involves new tree
planting, tunneling and protection techniques used during construction.
Some tree services work exclusively with utility companies providing
vegetation and tree removal from utility and power lines while others
contract with home owners, businesses and government agencies.
Renee Godon began her career 25 years ago as a single mother bidding on
U.S. Forest Service logging jobs. "As the logging industry started
falling off, I took the logging technique and applied it to tree
trimming," Godon said. Today Godon has 125 employees in her Auburn,
California business and employs a variety of specialists including
arborists, chemical applicators, accountants and managers.
"The most important thing is people management," Godon said. "It's all
business. You need a good business head and you need to know how to
manage people." For those interested in pursuing a career in the tree
service business, Godon suggested studying forestry and environmental
education.
Conway Lopez grew up in the tree business that his father started in
1945 and has run the business for the last 12 years modernizing
equipment and techniques along the way. Gaining experience by working
for a quality tree service company is a must for those interested in
the business. Learning the proper trimming techniques can lengthen the
lifespan of trees and Lopez has seen the effects of improper trimming
which can weaken trees and cut their lifespan by as much as 20 years.
Those in the tree service business rely on a wide spectrum of knowledge
in their daily work including the correct and safe application of
insecticides and proper trimming techniques and use of chainsaws. Often
physical and requiring climbing and lifting, the tree service business
also demands good communication and people skills when working with
clients.
An understanding of tree species and habitat requirements is necessary
to help clients choose the best trees for their needs. Lopez said his
goal is "to educate people to plan before planting and select the right
tree for the right place."
Requires: Minimally 2 years experience plus on the job training.
Salary: Beginning at about $8.50 per
hour. To start up a tree trimming service costs about $5,000 for a
chainsaw, climbing gear and a 2 ton dump truck. Tree trimmers who take
some horticulture courses, study with International Agriculture Society
(ISA) and get certified can advance to a Foreman position and earn pay
between $16 and $22 per hour.
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