El Nino Update

We are fully into the preparation period for the anticipated El Nino storms. Most successful tree services in the greater Sacramento area are booked-out for at least a couple of weeks. To accommodate our customers, Bud's Tri-County Tree Services is supplementing our traditional tree crews with a smaller team focused on building clearance and pruning. The results are that we are able to service most customers within 10 working days.  Because we do our own stump grinding and chemical treatments we've been able to avoid stretching common residential jobs out over several days. Unfortunately, there is a problem looming ahead for tree service providers and customers alike. Once the trees begin to fall and limbs begin to break, emergency work will naturally limit and delay the performance of non-emergency and routine tree service. Those who are concerned about their trees should speak with an arborist or experienced arboriculture estimator now. At least with Bud's (and any reputable tree service), estimates are free, even written estimates. Find a company you're comfortable with and have them take at look the trees you're most concerned could be a threat to you or your home. You can still affordably contract for any work you approve a week or two in advance. That option is going to disappear once the storms hit. When trees or large limbs fall through roofs (and they will) the cost of routine work will dramatically increase because the crews and equipment will have to work extended winter hours. The two week delay will become a five week delay in some cases. Tree work is done by skilled and semi-skilled labor. Tree companies cannot hire quickly nor can they access all employees from the general labor force. It takes about six years to produce a competent tree climber, for example. In other words, Northern California tree companies are going to have to pay a lot of overtime and maintenance costs in order to meet the El Nino demand. Prudent clients will avoid greater costs and long delays by contracting for preventative tree work as soon as possible.

Bud's wishes all our neighbors a very happy Thanksgiving.