Suggested Dek: Learn why planning and budgeting for proactive tree and landscape care is a win-win for your cemetery.
By Emma Fitzpatrick, Project Manager, The Davey Tree Expert Company
This time of year, the days – even though they’re technically shorter – seem to fly by. Consequently, our eyes drift to the calendar to see how many days remain in 2016.
We begin thinking… Did we achieve our goals for this year? Are we where we want to be? And, most intriguing, how can we continue to improve next year?
Much of what we accomplish in a given year depends on the programs and initiatives we work into our budget and long-term plan. When we invest in a program, …show more content…
Get more from your trees for less.
1. Be proactive. With tree care, it’s easy to think “That tree has been there forever, and it’s fine. Why should I do something now?” But when trees start showing symptoms of decline, it’s usually too late to save them. When you proactively care for your trees, you extend their life. Plus, proactive care is almost always more cost-effective than removing a tree or treating expensive problems down the road.
2. Start with an assessment. Before you know what you need, you need to know what you have. Start with an overall tree inventory to learn the health, age and risk of each tree. Then, you can develop a precise master tree care plan.
3. Communicate more. Communicating with various levels of Catholic leadership, most often the Bishop, is key. Talk with plot holders and upper management, too. Discover what’s important to them while identifying ways to meet their goals. “We always like to get involved in these conversations early on. Then, we can help your cemetery save more money while still protecting your trees. That’s our ultimate goal,” Borkowicz …show more content…
Protect your visitors. If you’re working with a limited budget, focus on safety issues first and foremost. You have a duty to care for your visitors and protect them from any dangerous, unstable trees. That means budgeting for tree removals and tree pruning every year.
5. Think outside the box. Even on a smaller budget, you can do a lot for your trees – especially if you try new tactics. There are grants out there to supplement your budget. Or some cemeteries accrue money upfront for the lifetime care of the plant near a plot, just like with mausoleums. “Because of our decades of experience and deep understanding of cemeteries, we can help you come up with unexpected ways to budget for tree and landscape care,” Borkowicz