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Indiana Tree Care in High Demand07-01-08 | News

Indiana Tree Care in High Demand

Indiana tree care firms report that business is up 20 percent to 30 percent since May. Most of the firms are small businesses, with annual revenue from tree care ranging from about $500,000 to $600,000. That means the storm brought in about $10,000 to $12,000 worth of extra business for the month.

Companies that trim and remove trees became a necessity in central Indiana in late May, when high winds, lightning and a tornado hit the north and east sides of Indianapolis. Then came the June 7 storm that dumped as much as 10 inches of rain on parts of southern Marion County and points south.

The cost of tree cutting and removal varies, but Indiana firm operators said the average cost to remove a single, mature tree is $1,000 to $1,800.

?EUR??,,????'??We?EUR??,,????'???ve had some jobs with multiple trees costing as much as $10,000,?EUR??,,????'?? said Stephen Courchaine, owner of Indianapolis-based Angel Oak Tree Care. ?EUR??,,????'??For three weeks, we?EUR??,,????'???ve had crews out 12 to 14 hours a day, seven days a week.?EUR??,,????'??

But the high winds and rain don?EUR??,,????'???t necessarily mean a windfall for tree care firms. Overhead swells along with the bump in business.

After the recent storms, Courchaine beefed up his two crews from two to four men each, adding significantly to overhead. An experienced tree cutter can demand $25 an hour, firm owners said.

Skyrocketing fuel prices also add to overhead. And there are the costs that never go away: certification for on-staff arborists, hefty insurance premiums and lots of heavy-duty equipment, including everything from chain saws and climbing ropes to huge bucket trucks.

?EUR??,,????'??In many ways, it can be a challenging business,?EUR??,,????'?? said Harvey Holt, Purdue University professor of urban forestry. Anyone with a truck and a chainsaw can participate, but ?EUR??,,????'??experience means a lot in this industry, both in terms of a firm?EUR??,,????'???s ability to get the job done right, and to be able to do it in a way that keeps them in business,?EUR??,,????'?? he said.