In a few words...

[Blakesmaster]

All right guys, here's your chance to show your literary skills.

No one in my area trims trees without spikes. If they can't get a bucket to it, they strap on the gaffs and run up the tree. My company is the only one that cares enough to do it the right way and I need help in telling the public this. Due to financial concerns I can't run a full page add in the yellow pages and am very limited on space. I can only allot about 5 to 6 words to inform the public that this is one of our skills and that it's the way it SHOULD BE DONE.

My ideas thus far.

"Expert tree trimming without spikes"

"Spikeless tree pruning"

"Proper tree trimming without spikes"

I'm kind of at a loss. Not many people in this area, IMO, know the benefits of spikeless work, much less how it can be done SAFELY. That's why I want to incorporate words like safe/proper/expert but am stumped on how to do so concisely. Any ideas/words would be helpful even if you can't put it in the f-6 word range. You never know what one word will do to help me come up with something else. Please guys, anything you got. Let 'em fly.

 

[arbor pro]

I'm not sure that it's necessary to say anything about using or not using spikes in your yellow pages ad. I just don't think it will be effective since most people won't understand why it might be a benefit to hire a 'spikeless' tree care company. Instead, keep your ad simple and just promote the proper care of trees and, if you are certified, make sure to make mention of that in your ad.

To make your point about spikes effective, you're going to need a paragraph or so of text and that can be accomplished with a 3-fold brochure that you can give out to your customers when you are bidding jobs. In that brochure, you can explain the problems caused by spikes, topping trees and other improper tree care practices while touting your company's good points. Let the customer read the brochure while your bidding the job - it makes you look more professional and explains why your bid might be higher to properly prune their tree than that of someone else who plans to improperly use spikes to do the same job.

I used microsoft publisher to create my brochure and it only took a day or so to complete including photos and text. I print them myself on card stock paper and they seem to go over well with my clients. Each brochure will cost about $1 each to reproduce. Well worth the investment when bidding even a $100 tree job if it gives you the slightest upper hand over the competition.

 

[Blakesmaster]

Thanks, I really like the idea of a brochure. We're not yet certified but hope to be by next year's add placement time. I'll work on a brochure but I think a little snippet in the add might be at least somewhat helpful. I've already had a few responses from our ad in the paper because I listed "spikeless trimming" in there. I'm just trying to get a few ideas on the wording that might be better.

 

[2FatGuys]

Thanks, I really like the idea of a brochure. We're not yet certified but hope to be by next year's add placement time. I'll work on a brochure but I think a little snippet in the add might be at least somewhat helpful. I've already had a few responses from our ad in the paper because I listed "spikeless trimming" in there. I'm just trying to get a few ideas on the wording that might be better.

If "Spikeless trimming" works for you in the paper, why change it?

 

[arbor pro]

"Proper tree care without the harmful use of spikes" or

"Trimming without harmful spikes" for short.

 

[Blakesmaster]

I'm currently thinking of putting "Spikeless Tree Trimming" with the small print underneath it...(more info on our website). That would encourage the interested to look us up online and away from the yellow pages where I can't compete with the big guys advertising budgets.

 

[Blakesmaster]

Also, we're generally known in this area as the "young guns". We're a bit cocky and really really hungry for work. We bust our azzes and like our little bit "edgy" image. Our shirts have our slogan, "Spikes are for Sissies" on it but I think it might be a bit too harsh for the Yellow Page ad. Any thoughts on that?

 

[Nailsbeats]

Spikes are for sissies, huh? I just started climbing spikeless and find it easier than with spikes. I would even say I am pretty good at it already and love doing it. Spikeless pruning is more sissy-like then chunking off a big spar with the spikes burried in, IMO.

 

[Blakesmaster]

I don't know, Nails. My upper body seems to get one helluva tougher workout when I'm not using spikes. Chunking down a spar with my weight on my legs is cake work. Ascending up a tree takes a lot more arm strength.

 

[2FatGuys]

I don't know, Nails. My upper body seems to get one helluva tougher workout when I'm not using spikes. Chunking down a spar with my weight on my legs is cake work. Ascending up a tree takes a lot more arm strength.

Then you're not chunking big enough spars!!! Both have their benefits and drawbacks to your personal workout regimen.

 

[Blakesmaster]

I can get behind that statement. They both work completely different areas of the body but IMO working w/out the aid of spikes is a lot harder. Keep in mind guys, this is a very "tongue in cheek" statement as we all know any type of climbing ain't easy. Just a little poke in the ribs at the bucket-bunnies in our area.

 

[ropensaddle]

I can get behind that statement. They both work completely different areas of the body but IMO working w/out the aid of spikes is a lot harder. Keep in mind guys, this is a very "tongue in cheek" statement as we all know any type of climbing ain't easy. Just a little poke in the ribs at the bucket-bunnies in our area.

Yeah I used to do all that but I bought one of those rocket
powered suits and will never look back dern rocket fuel stinks though:monkey:

 

[senechal]

"Tree pruning and spikes don't mix. Professional tree climbers, caring for your trees."

I would be tempted to avoid this kind of advertising as it would likely do more to cause rifts between businesses in the area than drum up jobs.

We have the same problem in our area and tackle it one customer at a time.

Show the customer a picture of the spur entry depth beyond the cambium and its not a tough sell.

 

[treemandan]

I am truly amazed that its still a mass epidemic. Very few will spike a prune job around here from what I see. It seems everbody knows better, they might really want to but they know the consequence.

 

[Nailsbeats]

Spikeless definitely uses more upper body, and spiking causes much more stress on the lower body. Spend hours in the spikes and you are glad to get them off and walk normal again. Get some circulation back in your legs.

I use my arms and upper body all day everyday for all my work, so spikeless wasn't much of a wake up call. It seems like it's a recreation thing or something when I am up there spikeless. I like the feeling of climbing the rope and the tree in tandem instead of just the tree like you mostly do with spikes. I also like to swing and limb climb unobstructed by metal on my legs. Just some thoughts.

 

[clearance]

Chunking down a spar with my weight on my legs is cake work. Ascending up a tree takes a lot more arm strength.

Ever chunked down a 4' fir, one piece at a time? Pretty easy with the 020, then the 372, when you climb down to where you are cutting with the 288XP/32" bar, and pushing off 400lb chunks it gets tough. I mean by yourself, nobody pulling chunks off with a rope.

I climb with spurs always, I no longer advocate it here for residential pruning. It is bad for the trees.

 

[lt1nut]

We don't put holes in your wood.

The unholey team/crew/company.

We leave you wood whole, not holed.

Respecting wood on a daily basis.

Wood done right.

Your unholey alliance.

Trees/wood respect us.

What would wood want?

Holes in wood are a bad thing.


Wait a minute, did you want good ideas too?

 

[Robert Caudill]

Might consider some phrases like "low impact," "tree friendly," or "non-invasive." Short little phrases that help distinguish you from your competition.

 

[Bermie]

My tag line is,

Tree Care, have it done RIGHT!

Then underneath any combination of explanation you care for, or at least the tag line gets you an opening for discussion, or prompts a phone call. That way you're not openly dissing anyone, but making the point that there are right and wrong ways to care for trees.

Feel free to use it...

 

[lxt]

Wouldnt waste my $$$ & time on pitching about Spikes in an ad!! The hacks will show up tell the customer it takes longer & is going to cost them more money.......Hack gets the job!!

Ive let customers know when they call back to hagle over the price that the method the other company employs is outdated & not proper!!! Yeah but he`s $50 cheaper!!!

My thought & I pass it on is that if $50 is worth the damage that may cause your tree to die or have 100`s of sprouts forming from the wounds that will add to the price in the future......then hire the hack...good luck!

Most in my area dont care untill you properly inform them!! I have a bunch of brochures that the ISA offers regarding certain practices that take place in my area.....Topping, spiking, flush cutting, etc... Most HO`s after receiving a brochure & reading it usually end up hiring me!!!! those that read it & dont care.....I really wouldnt want to work for them anyway!!

Good luck Blake!!


LXT................