“It’s so much safer than cranes and gantry lis, where you had four-cyl- inder points and you ran these big 40,000-pound beams up above and then dropped your rigging down off those beams,” he explains. “That was very dangerous. Now, with everything down at ground level, it’s much safer.” THE BUSINESS OF TREE MOVING Tree relocation can be lucrative, but it comes with its challenges. The size and location of the tree, accessibility, and client requirements can all impact the cost. Additionally, highly trained employees, adequate liability insurance, and rig- orous safety protocols are essential to mitigate risks and protect the company, the crew, and the clients. These things come at a cost. “Insurance and labor rates are a big cost of doing business,” Marks says. “And we like to take care of our people. They’re what make us.” He further explains that safety training becomes a big deal when reducing lia- bility and mitigating risks. “You just don’t walk on these con- struction sites and not have all kinds of certifications and classroom training,” he explains. “Everybody’s certified on the equipment they’re running, and you have to document it. And that takes somebody to do that, so it’s a cost.” THE BOTTOM LINE Tree relocation represents a sophisti- cated blend of arboricultural expertise and logistical planning. For tree care professionals, mastering this service can not only boost business profitabil- ity but also contribute significantly to environmental conservation. By choosing relocation over removal, tree care professionals can offer a valu- able service that benefits both clients and the planet.
Pre-care protocols, such as watering, pruning, and possibly fertilizing, ensure the health of a tree before, during, and after a move.
and adherence to safety guidelines are non-negotiable aspects for a tree mov- ing company. “Our new guys go through rigorous training. They’re not allowed to touch equipment or anything like that for a while,” he explains. “Passing on that knowledge and keeping people en- gaged is important. Getting people enthusiastic about what they’re doing and going from the planning phase to getting the end result. It takes a special touch.” Marks says that Environmental De- sign’s ArborLi ® has helped to miti- gate a lot of the risks of danger to their crews.
irrigation that’s getting the root ball watered evenly. There’s no reason to lose the tree.” IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY AND TRAINING Moving a tree is naturally a big job with a lot of moving parts, which makes safety and training paramount in the tree relocation industry. Crews must be trained to use the heavy equipment required, and detailed safe- ty protocols must be followed to pre- vent hazards while ensuring the health of the tree during the move.
Holland says that ongoing training
44 | ArborTIMES Summer 2024
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