Assessing a tree and developing work recommendations is not always a case of black and white. There are going to be gray areas, and homeowners’ unskilled intentions can further muddy an obvious choice forward. This brings up a dilemma even the best tree companies have to face: the choice between taking action and moving forward with a tree removal, or making recommendations contrary to the owner’s request and risk losing the bid.

The best course of action for canopy preservation is to follow proper maintenance practices, as outlined in ANSI 300 and ISA Pruning BMP. Sometimes that will mean doing nothing. Proper tree care is both an art and a skill. Usually it will call for thoughtful pruning that is done with careful consideration of site objectives and client wishes in an attempt to save the tree, while minimizing the risk of failure to an acceptable level.

Tree care companies that operate with a preservation mindset are allies for cities working to grow their urban tree canopy. Having a reputation for prioritizing preservation is beneficial for business.

Any time you prune, it must have a reason. Always reduce a branch vs remove it when possible.

– Danny Lippi, Advanced Tree Care Inc.

How A Preservation Mindset Benefits Tree Care Companies

Differentiation is the key to winning business in tree care. Finding an angle or niche that lets you stand out from the competition can make a big difference for the bottom line.

Getting on your city and/or state approved contractor list is one step towards standing out (usually by meeting their ISA credential requirements). We’ve heard from our municipal clients that tree care companies who have proven they care about canopy preservation are more likely to be awarded contracts. Not every government operates this way, but there are a growing number of communities that want to ensure the value they put on trees is reflected in their contractors.

There is a wave of funding coming toward cities. As IRA grant money flows from states to cities, the entire urban forest industry will feel the effects. Tree care companies that have positioned themselves as preservation-minded stand to benefit from better funded municipal governments.

It can also be beneficial for building referral relationships with other businesses. Advanced Tree Care, Inc, which operates in northern and central Florida, provides expert tree analysis, preservation, and maintenance, but does not perform tree trimming. When a project requires trimming, they pull from a list of companies they trust to properly value preservation. This relationship goes both ways. Advanced Tree Care, Inc gets calls from tree care companies when a project requires in-depth analysis.

Individual tree preservation efforts add up to affect an entire city’s canopy.

In many ways, public urban forestry is a big-picture endeavor. It involves looking at thousands of trees and working on a large scale to conserve and grow canopy across blocks and neighborhoods. If public urban forestry paints with broad strokes, then private tree care companies work with a fine-tipped pen.

The small, individual efforts of private tree care companies add up though. As the main actors in residential areas, private tree care companies have a significant role in preserving canopy, and there is a competitive advantage to do so.

For additional reading on ways to stand out from the competition in tree care, check out our free guide How to Bid and Win Higher Margin Work with Map-Based Software.