January 20, 2023 | Categories: Customers, Trees

Managing Large Tree Inventories

Caring for one tree includes routine pruning, monitoring, and diagnosing issues. Every additional tree on a property or in an inventory compounds this. Our ISA-certified and Board Certified Master Arborists take a holistic approach to managing inventories. We listen to and prioritize our client’s concerns when developing a tree maintenance plan. Development consists of an initial assessment, draft proposal, budgeting and revision, execution, and reassessment.

Initial Site Assessment for your Tree Service

The first step in managing a tree inventory is to review previous work and current conditions. This first walkthrough will focus on identifying any immediate hazards that exist. We will mitigate any significant risk before continuing further planning. Otherwise, the initial assessment aims to identify significant trends at the 30,000-foot level. We will also explore the client’s needs, wants, and nice-to-haves and an approximate budget.

written proposal for large inventory tree care services

Drafting the Proposal

After the initial visit, our arborists will begin preparing recommendations. Working within the budget given, we will lay out strategies to work toward goals identified by the client. Our arborists will then present the draft proposal(s), outlining the possible approaches.

Revising the Scope of Work

While some clients may have the resources to address all recommendations, in most cases, we will need to make changes to the proposal. We center our clients’ concerns while identifying the highest priorities. An example would be balancing a client’s pruning concerns with treatment for emerald ash borer. We can also lay out a longer-term strategy, including a maintenance budget.

Executing the Contract

After we complete the scope and the client signs the proposal, we will begin scheduling the work. For large inventories, we work from an annual proposal, with tasks scheduled at the appropriate times. For one-off items, we will generally invoice at the completion of each project. We may have technicians on site every week during our spring treatment season. In this situation, we will usually invoice monthly. This approach is a good balance and helps avoid accounting headaches.

Looking Ahead

Next, we will start evaluating long-term needs. With the client, we explore how to address the initial list of desires in upcoming budget cycles. These conversations are ongoing, as needs can change. For example, the effects of climate change will impact how we care for certain species. Also, significant storm damage can cause drastic changes to an inventory. As dramatic as these issues can be, we see these situations as opportunities to create a more resilient inventory.
 
Managing extensive tree inventories can be simple or very complex. The level of detail requested by the client is the primary driver of our approach. Our arborists have extensive experience navigating this process with clients. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation. We are happy to share how Vineland Tree Care can meet your tree service needs!