Prices for planting trees

[mikewhite85]

Hey Fellows-

It's been a number of years since I have planted trees and have never done so since I have been working for myself. We do a ton of pruning and removals but I would like to start getting into planting as well.

I am just trying to get a ballpark for rates on planting 24" and 36" boxes for smaller ornamental trees (i.e. crepe myrtles, Australian willows, fruitless pears etc). Around here a 24" costs around 100 while a 36" is about 3 bills.

I assume it's well worth investing in a ball cart for the 24" but is it necessary to rent a small backhoe/skid steer for the 36"? Or small crane? I appreciate any advice on this. Thanks!

 

[jefflovstrom]

That pricing seems low Mike, Tomorrow we are planting (5) St. Mary Magnolia, (15 gallon) cost is $179.00 each to purchase. They are good stock tho, with no stakes.
Jeff

 

[mikewhite85]

That's quite a difference in price. What I was getting at though is what do you charge for labor or this kind of work? I imagine it's a little lower than standard tree work rates?

I have a couple jobs replacing trees in the near future. For instance, I am replacing a big, hollow, and topped silver maple in a courtyard with a much more suitable Australian willow on Friday. I am figuring on about 200 in labor for just the planting. We will probably have time to do both removal, stump grinding, and planting that day. Does 200 in labor sound right for a 24" landscape tree?

Another job coming up is replacing 3 tall and quickly growing Chinese elms blocking a neighbor's view with fruitless pears. Maybe 400-500 in labor for planting the 3? I don't have much experience pricing plantings at the moment and trying to get an idea. THanks

 

[jefflovstrom]

Our man hour rate doesn't change for planting. (ie) $1200.00 to purchase and plant 5 15 gal mags.
Jeff

 

[tree md]

An old wise treeman I know once told me that a good rule of thumb for planting is around 2/3 the price of the tree.

And you're prolly gonna have to give them some kind of guarantee on the tree surviving.

 

[Bigus Termitius]

An old wise treeman I know once told me that a good rule of thumb for planting is around 2/3 the price of the tree.

And you're prolly gonna have to give them some kind of guarantee on the tree surviving.

That sound reasonable. I can't imagine giving someone a guarantee though, too many variables out of my control. I'd be interested to learn the details on such a guarantee, obviously it would be limited with certain parameters, but for me the price would then go up to cover some of a replant and additional visits to check progress. Most people are too tree ignorant for me to leave it in their care with any guarantee. Alot of the time replants are on account of negligence in the first place.

 

[ddhlakebound]

I charge 100% of the retail cost of the tree, or $75 minimum for a few tiny ones that take a half hour.

I don't sell alot of plantings, and tell every tree planting prospect up front that I'll charge them more than everyone else to plant their tree, but it'll be done right.

Extra wide holes, correct depth, root crown exposed if it's buried in the root ball, root pruning if necessary, removal of all but the very bottom of the wire cage and burlap, and i supply and install the mulch.

No guarantee. But if they're having problems, I'll come out for free a time or two and help or instruct.

Tree planting falls deep into the "you get what you pay for" category. Poorly planted trees have a good chance of being doomed from the get go.

 

[jefflovstrom]

A lot of problems start at the nurseries. I looked at some mags last week and it was hard to find a place that did not cut off every branch 2/3rd's up the trunk Then a square stake tied so many times and tight tight to it and at 6 to 7 feet tall the trunk had the diameter of my thumb.
Jeff :eek2:

 

[flushcut]

A lot of problems start at the nurseries. I looked at some mags last week and it was hard to find a place that did not cut off every branch 2/3rd's up the trunk Then a square stake tied so many times and tight tight to it and at 6 to 7 feet tall the trunk had the diameter of my thumb.
Jeff :eek2:

If you were out this way I could point you in the right direction to a good nursery.