Do tree injections make $?

[Ed Roland]

I wanted to get some experienced input on this subject. I have a tree service, and have been debating on getting into tree injecting. Is it very profitable? I live in a 12,500 population town, (in the midwestern chapter) with no big cities around. Seems most around here just want their trees trimmed, or removed, no "tree doctoring" taking place that I know of.

How does tree injection profit compare to trimming and removal profit, is there much of a comparison? Thanks for any input.

This is kind of like the ole 'soil injection of fertilizer' debate. The profits are good. Damn good. There are whole companies out there that do nothing else. Knowledgeable arborists practice prescription fertilization over arbitrary "fert and squirt". So, along the same ethical vein, are you comfortable injecting a pesticide into the vascular system of a tree? Some may argue, in the case of imidacloprid, if you cannot inject it into an apple tree which humans eat from, then it would not be suitable for trees that wildlife eat from.
If you break into this end of the business, please be responsible and make good judgement calls.
With that said: I do inject, the right product, on occassion and I make money.
opcorn:

 

[Jace]

This is kind of like the ole 'soil injection of fertilizer' debate. The profits are good. Damn good. There are whole companies out there that do nothing else. Knowledgeable arborists practice prescription fertilization over arbitrary "fert and squirt". So, along the same ethical vein, are you comfortable injecting a pesticide into the vascular system of a tree? Some may argue, in the case of imidacloprid, if you cannot inject it into an apple tree which humans eat from, then it would not be suitable for trees that wildlife eat from.
If you break into this end of the business, please be responsible and make good judgement calls.
With that said: I do inject, the right product, on occassion and I make money.
opcorn:

interesting point I hadnt heard of, If it isnt fit for man, it's debatable as to if its fit for animal(including the ones we feast on like deer).

You inject on occasion... Curious as to how often is "on occasion"?

I assume U do tree trimming and removal as well... (primarily?)

 

[Ed Roland]

interesting point I hadnt heard of, If it isnt fit for man, it's debatable as to if its fit for animal(including the ones we feast on like deer).

You inject on occasion... Curious as to how often is "on occasion"?

I assume U do tree trimming and removal as well... (primarily?)

U bet Jace. I climb like a spider monkey spiking the removals and friction knot the rest. but i have a definite lean towards science based PHC/IPM. I use Tree Tech OTC for BLS, Arbotect 20-S to reduce the severity of anthracnose, Alamo for dutch elm, etc. Like every other responsible arborist I use a pathologist to identify the causal agent first before recommending treatment. Performing plant health care should be a holistic exprience.
Take hemlock whooly adelgid on Tsuga for instance. We can spray dormant oil or soap and kill our pest but we also managed to kill every invertabrate on the tree and has to be applied much more often compared to an imidacloprid injection that targets our pest more specifically and economically. It is important to know Imidacloprid is mobile, and may enter water supplies so application should fit the circumstance. Injections should be in the professional arborists tool chest. Use each tool with knowledge and forethought.

 

[Jace]

U bet Jace. I climb like a spider monkey spiking the removals and friction knot the rest. but i have a definite lean towards science based PHC/IPM. I use Tree Tech OTC for BLS, Arbotect 20-S to reduce the severity of anthracnose, Alamo for dutch elm, etc. Like every other responsible arborist I use a pathologist to identify the causal agent first before recommending treatment. Performing plant health care should be a holistic exprience.
Take hemlock whooly adelgid on Tsuga for instance. We can spray dormant oil or soap and kill our pest but we also managed to kill every invertabrate on the tree and has to be applied much more often compared to an imidacloprid injection that targets our pest more specifically and economically. It is important to know Imidacloprid is mobile, and may enter water supplies so application should fit the circumstance. Injections should be in the professional arborists tool chest. Use each tool with knowledge and forethought.

Thanks for the help and advice woodweasel