BY EDWARD MORROW Financial jargon coupled with astronomical numbers. All splattered across a piece of paper or computer screen. What is this?! Your anxiety surges out of control. It’s just an income statement – profit and loss statement, or P&L for short. If we could just, maybe, alter this financial statement a tad. Just to condense it, to make it…

BY BILL OWEN, CTSP Arborists are practicality driven; we recognize what works and then incorporate best practices into our processes. With our industry’s spirit of innovation, we have seen major improvements year over year as our techniques and technologies evolve. As rapidly as we have seen innovation in field operations, we also have enhanced our…

BY BRIAN LEDONNE In the tree-service industry, particularly for TCIA members, the challenges of managing a successful business extend beyond physical labor and service quality. The digital landscape can feel overwhelming, with countless tools and platforms that demand your time and attention. In this article, we’ll look at a five-step approach, “Th…

BY MICHAEL ROCHE “Is a peer-to-peer group right for you?” That’s a question many business owners might want to consider, because, after gaining enough information on the topic, many owners will see that having regularly scheduled meetings with fellow business owners can be one of the most valuable things you can do for the growth, safety, profitabi…

BY RICK HOWLAND For this article, we talked with end-users who pretty much agree that successful implementation of customer relationship management (CRM) software comes after many steps accompanied by diligence, time and sometimes frustration. But – and it’s a very large but – all say the journey is well worth it. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazin…

BY ANDY FELIX Do you know – really know – that your business is making money? If you know it for a fact and have no doubt your business is making money, and are comfortable with the percentage of profit your company achieves, there is no reason to read this article. However, if you “think” you’re making money or are not quite sure if you are, pleas…

BY EDWARD MORROW You’ve either read about it or experienced it firsthand. If you find yourself in a room full of elite climbers – they may be from different places and use different climbing hitches and gear – one thing is common: They usually light up when the subject swings over to SRS climbing. Stationary-rope systems increase ascension speed an…

BY BRANDON JOHNSON Trees are a sign of strength, longevity and life. Species live for hundreds, even thousands, of years. They withstand changing climates, harsh storms and invasive pests. In a world where these magnificent life forms survive so much, human beings have often been their biggest adversary. Carr’s Tree Service has spent 50 years worki…

BY PATRICIA CHAUDOIN When Jason James, CTSP, ISA Certified Arborist and owner of Tree Wise Men LLC – a TCIA member company since 2022 – started noticing the ash tree epidemic spreading across southern Wisconsin, he saw a demand for tree work he knew he could fill. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.…

BY THOMAS BOFINGER I had the trip – and learning experience – of a lifetime in 2024, traveling the U.S. for two months visiting 11 tree care companies in eight different states. After seeing those top-quality operations, I am back home applying – and looking to share – the lessons learned. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia…

BY MEGAN TOWNSEND “I’m ready to grow my business, but I’m stuck with too much on my plate already.” “I can’t take a vacation. My business will fall apart without me.” “It’s either time with family or a flourishing business. I can’t have both.” Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.…

BY RICK HOWLAND With up to a half-million dollars in equipment to protect, not to mention personnel safety and potential liability if something goes wrong on the job site, sometimes it’s the little things that save the tree care day. Take, for example, mats, pads and cribbing for cranes and aerial lifts. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visit…

BY MATTHEW BORDEN, DPM Another doom-and-gloom story? There is an ever-growing lineup of new and invasive pests, weeds and diseases with which we, as tree care professionals, must keep up. For foresters and arborists in the mid-Atlantic, New England and parts of the upper Midwest, beech leaf disease (BLD) is one such problem. It has raced toward the…

BY DON STARUK John Langdon Iurka, 78, of Sound Beach, Long Island, New York, passed away October 1, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer. Despite his wish to return home for a cherished old-fashioned cocktail and a quiet moment petting his beloved dogs, that farewell was not to be. He is now at peace and has found comfort and rest. Rember to…

BY RYAN TORCICOLLO, CTSP, AND MATTHEW MECKLEY, CTSP Before we even get into the details of how to fell a tree, the most important questions we can ask are, “Can we even fell this tree? Do we have room? What are the hazards? ( How much lean does it have? Do we have the tools we need?” To determine if we can even fell the tree, we need to create a fi…

BY DAVid RATTIGAN Space Perspective, a space-tourism company, has developed a balloon-and-capsule to take eight passengers about 20 miles in the air, at $125,000 a ride. As Jamie Goddard explains it, that’s, “right at the edge of where you would need a spacesuit.” Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.…

BY MARK CHISHOLM, CTSP Whenever I am asked to speak about working with cranes, I always start by discussing the accidents that are happening. This is the foundation for what we should all craft our practices around in order to ultimately avoid the problems others have had. What slings to use, how to attach them, where to make the cut, what cut to u…

BY ANDY JONES, CTSP Eight years ago, my best friend and now business partner gave me a copy of “Knots at Work” for my birthday. This gift came just a month into my journey into the captivating world of tree work. As an aspiring climber, I devoured the book and committed many of its pages to memory. Jeff Jepson’s straightforward style and no-nonsens…

BY CHRIS GIRARD Webster’s New World Dictionary’s definition of a mentor is the following: 1. A wise advisor 2. A teacher or coach. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.Door TCI Magazine

BY W. JIM CORTESE, BCMA Alex Shigo, father of modern arboriculture, burst on the arboricultural scene in the early 1980s with his theory of compartmentalization of decay in trees, CODIT. With this he changed our collective thinking about trees. He created a revolution in our field of arboriculture. That revolution is continuing today with new gener…

BY MICHAEL ROCHE, CTSP When you walk out from a safety lecture by Dr. John Ball, you definitely feel better informed, but it’s also likely you feel a little unnerved. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.Door TCI Magazine

BY JIM KASPER In an issue dedicated to the “legends” of the industry, there’s no avoiding the name Mark Chisholm. His official tree-climbing career began more than 40 years ago, at age 12, helping with his dad’s business on weekends. He was making money rigging out trees before many in this industry today were born. But don’t let that fool you. “I …

BY ALEX JULIUS, BCMA For many, the transition from a job to a career in arboriculture starts with the purchase of the “ISA Arborist Certification Study Guide.” And when making that leap, it feels even more official when that certificate comes in the mail saying you’re now an ISA Certified Arborist. But, as with anything, someone was behind the scen…

By DON STARUK, EDITOR When we recognize a person as a legend, typically it is an honor we confer because of that person’s achievement or their impact on us personally. TCI Magazine staff surveyed some key industry contacts as well as fellow TCIA employees, asking for nominations for a new “Legends” feature. Our staff ranked the dozens of suggestion…

BY ANDY JONES, CTSP Last November in a TCI EXPO ’23 presentation, I explored the merits of battery-powered outdoor power equipment (OPE) and posed the question: Is it time to seriously consider transitioning to battery-operated tools? Initially, the Rooted Arbor Care team and I had modest expectations regarding the performance of battery products, …

BY ANDY JONES, CTSP, AND NICK GREENWOOD, CTSP In Part 2 of this series, we explored the deployment of steel and dynamic cable systems as risk-mitigation solutions for damaged trees or those with mechanical vulnerabilities. In Part 3, we will focus on another primary method of supplemental support: bracing. We also will touch briefly on guying and p…

BY RICK HOWLAND Ever wonder about that large, sturdy, fully grown tree standing as a centerpiece amid the show booths, equipment and convention goers at TCI EXPO? Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.Door TCI Magazine

BY CHELSI ABBOTT, MSC In this article, we’ll look at which characteristics help identify some of the fungi that can create hazardous trees for arborists. We’ll also look at fungal management and managing client expectations for trees with wood-decay rot. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.…

BY JULIE BEE You knew it from the beginning – being an entrepreneur is no walk in the park. Hard work, hustle and the occasional all-nighter come with the territory. But if “up to your eyeballs” has become your everyday reality, you’re headed for trouble. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.…

BY SYDNEY HUDZINSKI My start in this industry was rough. The first three months were a struggle. They were mentally, physically and emotionally draining. I remember white knuckling the steering wheel on my way home, wondering if I could do this job. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.…

BY CHRIS GIRARD, CTSP I'm sure every tree worker has run into a case when you get a phone call to come in and remove a hazardous tree after construction has just been finished on a building site. Of course, it would have been so much easier and safer if the contractor had just called you beforehand. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting t…

BY TRACEY MILLER This year at TCI EXPO, taking place November 7-9 in Baltimore, Maryland, attendees with an All-Access Pass will have exclusive access to engaging and educational Main Stage Sessions. These sessions will feature speakers offering fresh perspectives and invaluable insights tailored to tree care professionals. Here’s a glimpse of the …

BY PATRICIA CHAUDOIN From the Americas to Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, Waco Boom Manufacturing LLC has built a solid reputation in what company sales director Geoff Abel calls a “niche market” for filament-wound, insulated fiberglass booms. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.…

BY REBECCA SEIBEL, BCMA, CTSP The Six-Step Felling Plan is a checklist you and the people who work alongside you can apply to every tree-felling operation. It’s also a training tool. Employees who have achieved basic chain-saw safer- operator skills and who are prepared to do more can follow this. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tci…

BY PATRICIA CHAUDOIN Taking the high road in his business practices is something Matt Hogarth, owner of Higher Ground Tree Care – an accredited, nine-year TCIA member company based in Granger, Indiana – holds dearly as one of his core values. “Our secret sauce is, we’re going to serve every customer well even if it’s to our detriment – even that ca…

BY MASON BRANDENBERGER, CTSP Running a successful tree care company requires more than just technical expertise and a solid work ethic. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.Door TCI Magazine

BY JOSIAH GEORGESON A masterful estimate involves establishing trust, providing effective solutions and setting the stage for your crew to exceed expectations. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.Door TCI Magazine

BY TRACEY MILLER When Jeff Gillis, president of WellTree Inc. – a 23-year TCIA member company based in Brunswick, Maine – first considered offering his employees a 401(k) program, he was daunted by the potential administrative burden and cost. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.…

BY ERIC PETERSEN Everyone in your organization is in sales. There, I said it. Don’t agree with me? Keep reading, and let’s see if I can change your mind. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.Door TCI Magazine

BY ASH CONNELLY TCI EXPO ’23 Saturday morning, like the sunset of a few days jampacked full of learning, connecting and staying up late. Coffee in hand and sleep in their eyes, an unexpectedly large crowd filled the room to gain a few tricks of the sales trade. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.…

BY MICHAEL ROCHE 416 That’s a number that should resonate with you if you are a tree care owner or manager. It’s a number that should be in a company’s employee handbook, and in today’s business world, you need a good handbook more than ever. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.…

BY DAVID RATTIGAN Noel Boyer has never taken the step to hire a business advisor, but has brought in professional help to lighten the load for himself and his staff. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.Door TCI Magazine

BY DAVID JOSEPH Accountability is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “the obligation or willingness to accept responsibility for one’s actions or duties.” But in the realm of leadership and organizational management, it’s more than a definition. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.…

BY RON EDMONDS With a high level of merger-and-acquisition activity in the tree care industry, owners are naturally interested in what is driving all the activity and how it will affect their businesses. One term being bantered about is the EBITDA, a measurement of a business’s value. So what is your business’s EBITDA, and why should you care? Remb…

BY CHARLIE WHITE I was attending a recent ISA event and overheard a young climber seeking advice about doing the gnarly stuff in tree work. The response was well intended and does have a bit of truth: “It’s easier with people you trust.” Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.…

BY JOHN BALL, PH.D., BCMA, CTSP They came from tree crews of the largest tree care companies in the United States. They worked alone as the sole proprietor of their own companies. They performed line-clearance work along overhead power lines, pruned trees in residential backyards and removed trees in city parks. They worked for companies with words…

BY ANDY JONES, CTSP, AND NICK GREENWOOD, CTSP In Part 1 of this series, we discussed the need for supplemental support systems and the reasons we rely on cabling systems to serve as solutions for many structural vulnerabilities. In this article, we will cover some needed clarifications regarding the new A300-2023 as it applies to cabling. We then w…

BY PATRICIA CHAUDOIN For David Raines, owner of Raines Tree Care in Bentonville, Arkansas – a TCIA member company since 2015 – the morning of May 26 started out like any other Sunday, until he saw the stream of text messages from family and friends asking if he was OK. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.…

BY STEVEN F. PREGLER In a recent article I read, an 18-year-old was killed by a falling tree while cleaning up storm damage. How tragic! Injuries and death can happen to anyone. They happen to homeowners and professionals alike. We read about them each month in the “Accident Briefs” of this magazine. How many incidents never get reported and become…

BY MARK E. BATTERSBY It’s no secret that many tree care businesses are adding electric or zero-emission vehicles to their fleets. Chipper and bucket trucks, vans, dump trucks – just about every commercial vehicle has an electric option. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.…