tree care profession, an apprenticeship is a great option for a high schooler who wants to go right to work aer gradua- tion, explains Garvin. However, there aren’t many apprenticeships available. Only the top businesses offer to fund this opportunity. Some colleges offer robust urban for- estry and arboriculture programs, which is another option, albeit a lon- ger one, Garvin says. You could also work during the summers at some of the larger companies, namely Davey, Bartlett, or SavATree, to get your start in tree care. Conversely, Garvin warns not to go straight from high school to starting your own tree care company. It’s best to learn the ropes at an established and well-run company before venturing off on your own. Of all the projects and roles that Garvin has been involved in, one rises above the others. Aer receiving a mandate from TCIA’s board of directors, Garvin raised $2 million from the tree care industry for the Arborist Safety Train- ing Institute, a program that offers free safety training for tree care employees each year. TRAINING PROMOTES SAFETY Professional qualifications, such as the International Society of Arboricul- ture (ISA) Certification, Board Certified Master Arborist program, and TCIA’s Certified Treecare Safety Profession- al credential, represent a significant achievement in the field. These certifications, along with the training provided by TCIA’s Tree Care Academy, help produce not only more knowledgeable employees but safer employees, explains Garvin. And oen- times, companies will increase wages as their employees get these creden- tials. Over the years, Garvin has seen in- creased mechanization in the industry. An increasing number of businesses are opting to purchase or lease large
Mark Garvin (center) was one of the presenters of a business succession seminar during ArborEXPO '24
equipment, such as grapple saw trucks and mini lis, which take the place of several workers and climbers. Working safer and more efficiently means working smarter, not harder. “With the shortage of skilled labor, mech- anization just makes sense,” he says. “You don’t want climbers accessing a dead tree,” notes Garvin. “Twenty-five years ago, a crane was a rare thing in this industry. Now it isn’t.” RETIREMENT OPTIONS Not long ago, owners of tree care com- panies had limited retirement choices. Do you pass the business on to your children? Do you try to sell it to your local competition? Do you sell to one of the large companies that may or may not be interested? Do you sell the real estate and all the equipment? Now tree care business owners have more op- tions. In recent years, there has been interest in the tree care industry from buyers and outside partners. But how do you make your business attractive to these buyers? The factors that determine the value of a company are varied. Among the top criteria are professionalism, safety, profitability,
and reputation.
Acquisition or partnering companies are also looking to see if your busi- ness is accredited. Are you a member of TCIA? What credentials do your em- ployees have? Are they certified by ISA. Do you have a CTSP (or two) on board? If two-thirds of employees were hired six months ago or less, buyers will want to dig in and find out why. What’s the leadership structure of your company? Is the owner also the operations manager, or is there a sec- ond tier of management? What’s the owner’s desired involvement moving forward? What types of jobs does your company primarily do? What percent- age is pruning, plant health care, or landscaping? All of these questions will determine if your company is a viable fit for engaging with a private equity partner. Garvin has also sought to elevate the tree care industry through his vari- ous roles and continues to do so in his latest venture with Tree Guardians, a company that is building a diversified residential and commercial services platform. Tree Guardians partners with company owners focused on tree and plant healthcare, pruning, removals, fertilization and risk protection.
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