Smoky nights and hot days!

Posted on by Leave a comment

I remain positive and enthusiastic all the time, even in the face of adversity. I am excited at 6am when we get to drive trucks and run heavy equipment. I can summon a dizzying hustle at the end of the day, even if there is a huge pile of logs standing in my way of getting home. This is my super power. It is a must if you are going to be an entrepreneur for more than ten minutes. It means scrubbing the toilets when staff doesn’t show up (another lifetime); it means emergency trips to the equipment dealer in Winnipeg, it can mean long days and longer nights. We are in the middle of an epically challenging year. From the weather (too cold, too cold, too cold – OMG IT IS TOO HOT), to the fires and construction that Brandon has endures (our shop is right across the train tracks from the fires that hit Brandon, and our post office box burned down), and it seems like every piece of equipment we own has needed serious repairs (new transmission for the big truck, new engine for the little truck, an overhaul for the stump grinder, and a tune up for my truck. Oh and then a tree fell on my trailer. Sheesh.)

We have had trouble retaining employees. Tree work is heavy, can be repetitive, and we work in all kinds of weather. We are up front about the unique joys and challenges of tree work, but maybe people don’t believe us? Underestimate us?

And all these problems we have been having, I hesitate to bring up because of the terrifying shifts in global politics. Chris is a first generation Canadian, and I was oft reminded of my farmer pioneer ancestors as a child. It seems like a deeply polarizing time in the world, where we have forgotten all the hard won lessons of the 20th century.

I am here at the office on a Friday night, catching up on paperwork because of the babysitter being sick for half of the week. Isobel is super helpful with many things, but not so much the paperwork. My take out was late, my credit card would not work….

So the cherry on top of this whole thing is that I had one more packet of papers to staple and I had just run out of staples. I went to the supply drawer and opened the box backwards, dumping all the staples out. And I started laughing. Not in a worrisome way, but weird because I am by myself. The thing is, I don’t know if I would choose another path. Chris’s quote of the summer has been “I barely survive, but I do so on my own terms.” Crazy as it sounds, I belong to a group of people who will sometimes succeed, and will sometimes fail, and sometimes do insane things – but they do it on their own terms (remember that dog rescue, Lydia?) I come from a long time of lady business owners, producers, and farmers. I do not want to tempt fate, but I am glad I can surf these challenges, and hopefully land on a peaceful shore (whatever that looks like)

My friend Teri at Brown Sugar Produce (who grows my delicious vegetable CSA) says something about taking care of the important things so that they will last. To that, I am only going to do a bank deposit and three quotes tomorrow, then go to the beach with Chris and Isobel.

If you would like to see my superpower in action, call Reta at 204-730-0368. If you would like to heed my wisdom, stay in school and hug your family.

If you are thinking about hiring an arborist, read 10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Arborist or Tree Service

Pruning inside!?!?

Posted on by Leave a comment

I recently was contacted by a previous customer, where we had done work at their place of business. They needed us at their home. I could not have guessed that I was in for such a treat!

They have a giant two-story ficus tree.

Words nearly escaped me.

Things we learned – ficus tress drip when they are pruned, and that sappy stuff is poisonous. You need a broom, not a rake to clean up inside. And you need to wrap everything in a tarp when carrying branches out.

It was an honour to be able to prune this specimen.

If you have an interesting tree for us to look at, please call Reta at 204-730-0368

What makes us different

Posted on by Leave a comment

When we started Bee EZ Tree Service six years ago, we would often ask ourselves, “What makes us different from other tree services in Brandon?”

I would usually come up with ninja air slicing, and declare that we would be the best chain saw tree surgeons ever (which we are).

But over and over again, our customers tell us how much they appreciate being able to get us on the phone, and are thankful that we return calls. They love that we show up on the date we say, at the time we said (unless we change the date and time, which we communicate with them) They marvel at how tidy it is when we leave. Of course, I took these essential traits about myself and the business that Chris and I were building for granted. I overlooked these habits, because I thought you were supposed to pick up the phone and return phone messages? I thought that you were supposed to show up when you said you would? Business 101

And when you make a mess – I thought you were supposed to clean it up.

So despite becoming a pretty efficient chainsaw wielding team, it is these basic things that people love. When our customers tell their friends, it is that we are nice, polite, and tidy.

So if you would like an arborist that you can get on the phone, who shows up when they say, and who cleans up when they leave – call Reta at 204-730-0368 to schedule a no-cost yard assessment or we can talk about the good old days!

A handy list if you are looking to hire an arborist 10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Arborist or Tree Service

Has spring sprung?

Posted on by Leave a comment

I find the older I get, the more opportunity I have to make the same jokes that I make every year. It feels like both a badge of honour and a recognition of the march of time.

We always planted the garden on May long when I was a kid. Chris and I tried once in Wpg. We had a bunch of stuff started, ready to go — and it snowed. Like super, wet cold snow. So our poor seedlings got all leggy and didn’t really do as well as they could.

Sometimes you need to dance with nature. The sunshine really seems like it’s here! A lot of folks have called me regarding fruit tree pruning, and I’m sorry to say that unless I do it in the next ten minutes, we will need to look at it for the fall.

If you want to talk pruning or puns, call Reta at 204-730-0368

Industry Trends

Posted on by Leave a comment

Once a year or so, Vermeer Winnipeg puts on a day of continuing education for arborists. It’s usually brutally cold, really fun, and very informative (they also provide lunch!)

I (Reta) have not been able to come for the last few years – Vermeer skipped a year when they were changing locations, and I’ve been at home with the munchkin for the past two.

Chris and I are nerding out pretty hard discussing the differences between Double Rope Technique and the new hotness, Single/Static/Stationary Rope Technique. We rarely need an excuse to buy more gear, and they are some aspects that seem helpful. But I am always wary of a cure all. It is definitely something for the tool box.

We are both voracious readers, and are constantly looking for better or more efficient solutions to add to our literal and figurative tool boxes.

If you have a challenging tree, call Reta at 204-730-0368 and we can talk felling plan.

Renovations in the yard

Posted on by Leave a comment

While we are cozy behind windows, and underneath blankets, is a great time to dream about how we want to change our yards next spring. It is an excellent time to assess the shape, growth, and some aspects of the health of trees – when they are naked without leaves!

We like to ask what people would like to use their yard for – relaxing respite from the modern world, for the kids to run around, to grow food – there are many ways to design the space around our homes. I suppose the fancy name for how we look at your yard is “holistically” meaning the parts are interconnected, and part of a bigger whole. An example of a question I would consider is how does one tree being pruned or removed affect the rest of the yard? Or how do you want to use the yard? We once did a large removal of five spruce trees – lovely – but planted very close to the house. The homeowner couldn’t walk outside because there was so much sap on her patio and the surrounding area. It was a tough decision, but one that the homeowner ultimately was delighted with. She re-landscaped and now has the backyard sanctuary that she wanted!

My seed order came today, which means that soon we will be out there, puting our dreams and plans into action!

If you would love to talk space and possibilities, or marvel at this late in the season snow dump, call Reta at 204-730-0368

Life happens

Posted on by Leave a comment

Several times this summer, folks have told me how they should have taken care of this tree five years ago. Or they apologize for how overgrown something is. Basically, something is not the way they want it (tree, hedge etc) and it has been that way for a while. One lady told that she had lived in the house for seventeen years, and had been worried about the tree falling for that long.

Who knew I was in the good sleep biz?

There is an old Chinese saying “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is right now.”

There are lots of things we “should” have done yesterday, last month, last year etc. But life happens. People get sick, or busy, or sidetracked, or focused on the kids, the job, the team.

If that tree is a worry – let’s talk about it. If those hedges mean you are losing sleep – let’s get on that. By all means, call Reta at 204-730-0368

« Older Entries