Tree Lighting

[evo]

I've been thinking of getting into tree lighting. Does anyone here do it as an advertised service? I have done a few random trees in the past few years and I'm wanting to expand this into a service that I can do for side jobs. I weld and I have plans for making light spheres on chains of smaller sizes.
What are the rates for something like this normal tree crew hourly? Do you charge up front for installation and removal on a later date? Do you supply the lights? Is there legal issues with how you hook up the lights? Anything else you can think of?

 

[JeffL]

We did one big spruce on an annual basis for a college. Left the lights up year-round on a probably 55' blue spruce. Be ready for headaches!

 

[cerviarborist]

I've wondered about leaving conductors up year-round on a large tree, and whether it might pose an increased risk for lightning damage.

 

[boreality]

You'd probably have to offer house lighting as well and it would become the bulk of the work with the odd tree light job. I don't do it that's just a guess, but there is money to be had there. You could probably specialize in tree lighting. What if people expected it annually and you had a pile of tree work. Grin and bear it I guess just like summer.

 

[flyingsquirrel25]

Our crew put up right around 240,000 lights this year and it took us just over 1500 man hours. I dont put lights up on the side just for this reason, but if I were to LED all the way, customer buys/stores the lights and cords (from your supplyer), and charge by the hour.
If you want to come to the east coast before January 6 we could arrange a tour to help you make up your mind .

On certain displays we leave the conductors up for two years before removing at the end of the second season. We havent had an issue with lighting, not saying it wont happen, but we have LP all over the place so that might also be a factor.

 

[marlinspiker]

Flyingsquirrel has got to be the resident expert in these regards. Longwood is an amazing place to visit during the holidays season.

 

[DOOLEY]

We do alot of it...great $$ maker.

 

[DOOLEY]

 

[flyingsquirrel25]

Thanks Mike. But there are 4 others that deserve much credit as well for installing those lights. They know who they are. Great Job, in the face of adversity this year. It has been called the "The best display in the past 30 years" by some that have been around that long. Thanks