In 2023, U.S. tree care companies generated $34.6 billion in revenue. That year as well, according to IBISWorld, the industry’s market size grew 3.4%. On average, the industry research firm also reported, the market size of the tree trimming services industry in the U.S. increased 7.3% per year between 2018 and 2023.
IBISWorld also projects tree care industry revenue to reach an estimated $35.6 billion in 2024 and to continue growing over the next five years. Tree cutting and other arboriculture services have grown, the firm noted, because of rising disposable income that is leading to stronger residential construction activity. Economic growth and pent-up demand will also support commercial construction activity for office buildings, hospitals, factories, power plants and other structures, leading to higher demand for tree trimming services.
New Tools
With that growth comes the need for tools that improve productivity, efficiency and safety on tree care jobsites. “Over the past 10 years, the introduction of grapple saw attachments has changed the tree care industry,” Nathan Ivan, marketing coordinator at BIK Boom Trucks, which supplies Mecanil grapple saws on its line of grapple saw trucks, said. “When grapple saws work in tandem with knuckleboom trucks, the work that can be accomplished each day is unbelievable.”
Also known as a feller grappler, grapple saws consist of a set of tongs with a retractable, integrated saw that allow operators to hold a tree in place while making cuts remotely from the ground. With the capability to grab, cut and feed branches into a chipper or load larger tree pieces on trucks for removal, hydraulic-powered grapple saws enable tree care companies to seamlessly take down entire trees.
“A major benefit of grapple saw attachments is time savings,” Ivan stated. “With proper training, operators can take down entire trees within an hour. That also leads to maximizing tree crew productivity on jobsites. The grapple saw truck only needs one operator. Instead of needing as many as five crew members to take down one or more trees or remove branches, with a grapple saw truck you may only need two people, allowing other crews to go to other jobsites.”
Safety is also a major aspect of grapple saw trucks. While tree climbing is an essential skill for the tree care industry, it is inherently dangerous.
“By reducing the need for climbing or using an aerial device at the point of cut, a knuckleboom with a grapple saw attached to the crane keeps the operator on the ground and out of the drop zone,” Zak Hilliard, tree care market manager at Altec, said. “These products are very efficient, which allows tree care companies to complete more work in a shorter period of time, and they create a much safer jobsite for operators.”
On its boom trucks, BIK Boom Trucks offers three types of Mecanil grapple saws. The SG160, SG220, and SG280 models feature different bar lengths, lift capacities and grapple opening widths. The grapple saws can be fitted to the company’s knuckle-boom cranes on their Tree-Care Series of trucks.
Standard from Altec on its EC225-6S-FG model is an Effer 225-6S crane and a GMT 035 grapple saw. The 67-foot, 360-degree rotation crane has a maximum horizontal reach of 55 feet. With a 14-inch cutting diameter, a 17.7-inch saw bar length and a 33-inch opening, the grapple saw has a 3,300-pound maximum lift capacity. The model also features a quick hydraulic disconnect system and a stationary grapple storage rack that allows a single operator to connect the grapple.
“The combination of a knuckle-boom crane and a grapple saw creates a unique piece of equipment tailored to the tree care industry that provides advantages over the more traditional methods of trimming and takedown,” Altec’s Zak Hillard, said. “Using knuckleboom cranes with grapple saws has become the industry standard.”
Enhancing Efficiency
Tree care services providers also make use of other attachments that enhance the efficiency and safety of their tree care operations, noted George Schalk, VP of sales at Smiley Lifting Solutions – SPYDERCRANE. “The removable work basket is a top choice for safely and efficiently reaching challenging areas,” he said. “Utility cabinets and custom toolboxes are also frequently requested to ensure that all necessary tools and equipment are organized and readily accessible, which reduces downtime and enhances productivity.”
In addition, Schalk reported that the company’s mini cranes are commonly paired with work platforms by the tree industry for their ability to maneuver in tight spaces and access difficult areas such as backyards. “Along with wireless remote controls, work platforms enhance versatility and facilitate safe, effective operation in challenging environments,” he said.
Available from Smiley for tree care operations are Revolution boom trucks, including 84RM and XL models. The Revolution 84RM has a tip height of 84 feet and 10,000 pounds of maximum capacity. The Revolution XL features a 102-foot tip height and 30,000 pounds of capacity. The company also offers SPYDERCRANE URW706 and URW1006 models for the tree care industry.
Offered by National Crane, NBT60XL and the NBT45-2 boom trucks are often seen working in the tree care industry, Robert Ritter, Manitowoc’s product engineering manager, noted. “These two models, with great capacity at long boom lengths, can be efficiently set up in one place and used to take down multiple trees in a short amount of time,” he said.
“That enables them to handle multiple jobs in one day,” Ritter continued. “National Crane has a customer who stated they can remove about 25 trees in a day with this equipment, which helps lead to a positive return on investment (ROI).”
Taking Advantage of Expertise
A fast ROI for tree care companies is also the result of taking advantage of the expertise of suppliers. “The choice comes down to the kind of equipment you are looking for and the source you use, such as manufacturers that offer full packages including the truck, deck and crane,” Nathan Ivan at BIK Boom Trucks, said. “Overall, there are many benefits to working with either a manufacturer or a dealer/upfitter when specifying and sourcing equipment.”
To make an informed decision when sourcing tree care equipment, it’s important to consider the average size of the trees that you are typically removing, access on most jobsites, budget and other factors, pointed out Zak Hilliard at Altec.
“Working with an equipment manufacturer provides an opportunity to leverage experts to your benefit and make sure you are selecting the appropriate piece of equipment,” Hilliard said. “We walk through all of this and more with our customers to ensure they are getting the right equipment for their unique needs.”
Additionally, Hillard noted that equipment manufacturers can provide access to additional services, including safety training, financing, service, asset disposal and more.
“Partnering with a boom truck manufacturer and dealer or upfitter offers significant advantages for tree care companies,” George Schalk at Smiley Lifting Solutions, said. “We work closely with our customers to understand their needs, allowing us to recommend the best equipment configurations for their specific operations. This ensures they receive equipment that enhances their efficiency and effectiveness on the job.
“Customer service also extends beyond the sale, with comprehensive technical assistance, a robust parts department and training services,” Schalk added. “That ensures that tree care companies have reliable, versatile equipment backed by ongoing support.”
Lift & Access is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
