Bracing for EAB

[matdand]

So we are on the verge of massive EAB mayhem. It was first reported on the south shore of Montreal in 2008, about 30 minutes from me. We are starting to see major ash decline this year, which is right on track with what has been reported in the past (5 to 8 years post-detection). It has also been detected in Montreal and surrounding suburbs, not good.

I'm already in the process (should be finalized this week) of becoming a TreeAzin applicator, so I will be offering treatment.

As sad as this situation might be, it will create a great demand for removals. Right now we run small equipment; 6 inch chipper, 3500 dump, mini skid..blabla works good for most of what we do.

My question is for those that have lived this scenario. What should I be getting ready for? If you would have to invest equipment-wise for this kind of scenario, what would you buy?

A bigger chipper is a must because of wood moving regulations. Disk or drum? Does it make a difference for dead ash?

Should I just skip a bucket and think about going straight to a small crane or KB?

At this point I'm not even sure I want to get into this removal rat race, but let's say I take the plunge, what would be the best way to go?

 

[oceans]

Think long term. Really long term. In my opinion, it's the most important thing in this type of situation.

~ What equipment do you want to have should the removal business slow down?
~ What would be most versatile?
~ Will the profit margin be enough when stacking up alongside other established, mechanized companies?
~ Will you need to boost your ad budget?
~ Does the whole idea fit with your values as a person?

It's a lot to think about. I wish you the best of luck with all that, for real. Storms and other disastrous events can be the birthplace of a company.

 

[AspenArbo]

Removals are great for revenue, but eventually you'll run out of trees. Plus the wear and tear on equipment. I would focus your business model on the care side and less on the removal end. Tree care will take you longer down the road.
I guess if I was going to upgrade for ash removals, I would get a more efficient way to load logs. So maybe a bigger chipper (10-12 inch) then a good dump trailer or truck for dealing with logs. Or maybe think about a stump grinder. You know there will be a bunch of those. But then again, who's already out there doing it, and pricing...

I think the big questions you need to ponder are, 'How big do I want to be/become? What is the vision/direction of the company?'
Good Luck!

 

[matdand]

I've pretty much been focusing my business on tree care for the two and a half years I've been running it; pruning, cabling, airspading, fert, resistograph,etc. We do removals, but we aren't heavily equipped like some. I just dont want to miss the boat, like oceans said, if this is an oppurtunity to grow my business.

I was just looking for some insight from the people who went through the EAB wave. What they needed to buy, what they regretted buying, what they would have done different buinesswise.

Only one company I know around has a knuckleboom, and it's a small one I think. It does seem like a big investement for now.

I'm nowhere as big as some of the companies near the Island, but I think I could do good because we offer a wide range of services, but I think I need to upgrade for removals..

Maybe Im just thinking out loud!

 

[oceans]

Since you're no solely dedicated to being a removal based company, perhaps the new leads created by Ash decline could create care-based inroads with new clients.

You never really know who has money to spend and how they want to spend it. Perhaps gearing up for removals will rounds you out in a truly beneficial way.

 

[Jeremy9]

I would focus on treatment as much as possible, one man and a pickup can bill as much as a fully equipped removal crew can most days.

 

[treehumper]

Scaling up for removals requires only slightly larger chippers and consequently a bigger chip truck. Handling the logs is a bigger issue that requires the capacity to move that efficiently.

What you may have to look into though is what the regs are dealing with the disposal of infected trees. Is there a maximum chip size, restricted disposal sites, etc...

None of that wood can be used for firewood or likely transported out of the area without being processed to reduce the likelihood of further spread.

We worked on the ALB in Toronto and also did private jobs within the restricted area. That created a whole new headache for us.