Marking trees on the jobsite

T

timber1952

Location
Lakes region N.H.
I will open this up for discussion to see what other companies do. Let me start by saying that this is not a big problem for the everyday customer but it does become a problem on big jobsites. When I say big jobsites I mean any work consisting of multiple trees and multiple days required to complete the work.I will use this week as an example, we bid a three day job in a trailer park and the trees were painted with orange paint. That very afternoon several people from said park had taken out there own paint and decided what they wanted down. The park only wants to pay for what they mark, so we have to sneak around to mark trees in a way others don't notice.We all know ribbon won"t be any different, so I ask you for your ideas. I have thought of using a veneer tag hammer with plastic tags. If it has our co. tag it dies, if they decide to leave the tree we pop the tag and there is no paint left behind. I also don"t like to mark trees for day to day customers because its long lasting and if we don"t take the tree its still got a dot on it. That being said I also like mark trees I am sure we are removing because I don't have to return to mark them for the removal crew.All my bids are accompanied by a sketch of the property with species and location of trees to be removed,but this is not possible on large jobs. This comes in handy when describing a pruning project because its impossible to paint tree limbs up 30 feet. I am open to any thoughts.
 
Are you saying that situation is where the park may paint more trees, midproject, and try to get them for free. Is this why you would need to make them where others would not notice, so as to double-check for cheaters?

You post will be more readable, so you'll get better suggestions, if you break up the post into paragraphs/ sections, please.
 
Wasn't the primary usage of paint balls for marking trees and cattle?

But, I guess that wouldn't work in a trailer park area. The people would then get the idea to blast all of the trees.
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Sorry I got distracted and was rambling. The problem in the park is we cut trees we are not required to thus reducing the amount of trees the park owners get done.We still get paid but its also a problem.
 
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Sorry I got distracted and was rambling. The problem in the park is we cut trees we are not required to thus reducing the amount of trees the park owners get done.We still get paid but its also a problem.

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That really sucks. Sounds like there are some residents having fun with this.

Or, your main competitor hoping you'll get sued for removing wrong trees.

I think it's the latter.
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Colored thumbtacks would work if you have a general idea on where the trees are to begin with. Otherwise you COULD try doing a GPS location for each tree... no markings, and it should be pretty accurate.
 
we've done it both ways. Most effective though most full of hassle is tags and tagging (paint)

We have popped a tag in the tree using small aluminum nails this can be done on prunes as well as removals. and then on the ground near the root flare we've used a couple of colored paint spots in a code. Most complicated used 4 colors of paint, simplest 1.

We also have used flagging tape but written our own code on it along with a root flare paint spot.

Kinda hard for residents to duplicate our code/my handwriting!
 
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Otherwise you COULD try doing a GPS location for each tree... no markings, and it should be pretty accurate.

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That could be the easiest suggetion so far. It would be very easy.
 
handheld GPS units are not known for thier accuracy.

Many claim they can get within 7 meters but that is not usually the case, especially once tree canopies get in the way.

Realistically 10 to 20 meters accuracy is what you will get.

Take 10 trees in that wide an area, all same species and similar size and good luck sorting the gps data out.

The mapping GPS units are better more in the 3 to 6 meter range of accuracy.

Even then, the description of the tree needs to be spot on especially if you have a cluster of trees all similar in shape size and species. Which in residential apps around here is very common.

I just came back from Storm Damage Strike Team Training class where we used the mapping GPS units.. Pretty slick stuff!

When I got home I went to check out the pricing and nearly choked. Any with the accuracy needed to identify a particular tree the machines started at $1500 with many in the $4500+ range.

I think a proprietary tag secured with an aluminum nail and a basal paint marking will prevent homeowners from duplicating our marks and make it easier for the crew.

I've seen these "security seal" tags that have are plastic with the stem that pulls through and locks. They have serial numbers pre-printed. Someone suggested using a thin awl to pierce the tree, insert the nubbed end of the tag in the hole until it wedges. The tag then becomes embedded in the tree over time without the risk of metal. Also makes it easy to remove when done.

Supposedly during the growing season the tree will begin closing the hole up almost immediately and grip that tag pretty firmly.

With or without numbers on the tag, a green spot near the root flare could mean prune, Pink, remove, white transplant....

Might be worth a try!
 
We used to use marking tape, but people used to take it off of easy trees and put it on harder ones. Now we take digital pictures of the tree, so we know which tree exactly and alot of times if only specific limbs are to be removed they can be marked on the pictures sent with the work orders and we don't even have to talk to the sales person.
 
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