When tree care companies specialize in services like precision cutting, they can charge premium rates for their expertise and experience.
may struggle if that disease becomes less prevalent or new regulations lim- it treatment options. This might be a point at which that company would need to expand its services to include other plant health care offerings. “What you have to do is evolve with the industry,” said Michael Roche, certified arborist of Vermont Arborists . “There weren’t self-propelled lifts, or spider lifts 15 years ago, or they just weren’t com- mon. Everybody owned bucket trucks. Well, now you have to evolve and own spider lifts in your business because they can go places that a bucket truck can’t. So, you’re constantly evolving.” Limited Services Specialization inherently means saying no to certain opportunities. While this can streamline operations, it may also leave money on the table. As a result, clients seeking a one-stop shop might inevitably choose competitors with broader offerings.
“Streamlining multiple services in a marketing effort helps,” Tresselt said. He explained that for clients that typi- cally request tree pruning and removal tasks, his team can mention their addi- tional services, such as planting, lawn care, and plant health care services. “That’s helped out a lot over the years when we do our marketing,” Tresselt added.
equipment and training, leading to greater efficiency and mastery. This not only improves the quality of work but also reduces costs over time, as you won’t need to maintain a wide array of tools or train employees in di- verse techniques. “I would pick something you’re really passionate and good at, stick to it, and get really, really good at it,” Tresselt advised. THE RISKS AND CHALLENGES OF SPECIALIZATION Market Saturation or Shrinkage If your chosen niche becomes oversatu- rated, competition may erode your pric- ing power. Similarly, if the demand for your niche services decreases, your busi- ness could face significant challenges. A company focusing solely on treating a specific tree disease, for instance,
Seasonality and Market Fluctuations
Specialized services can amplify the ef- fects of seasonality. If your niche sees a downturn during certain months or years, your revenue stream could dry up. Roche detailed the struggles that a business focused solely on plant health care might experience with long peri- ods of inactivity in regions with cold winter weather.
42 | ArborTIMES™ Winter 2025
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