The Tree Service Labor Crisis: Why Finding Skilled Arborists is Harder Than Ever in 2025
When you need a tree removed from your Long Island property, you expect to call a professional service and schedule the work within a reasonable timeframe. However, homeowners across Suffolk and Nassau Counties are discovering a troubling reality: finding skilled tree service workers has become increasingly challenging, with attracting new skilled workers being the main challenge facing the industry.
The tree service industry is experiencing an unprecedented labor shortage that’s affecting everything from emergency storm response to routine maintenance. Tree service companies are struggling to find not just workers, but skilled workers, as the tree removal process requires specialty jobs where people need proper driving records and the right capabilities to perform tasks safely.
The Scope of the Problem
It’s not like colleges are putting out hundreds of new tree climbers every year – it’s more of an apprenticeship type thing where companies train workers or have employees from other industries cross over. This training-intensive nature of the work makes the labor shortage particularly acute.
The challenge isn’t about compensation either. Workers can make about $50 an hour during storm work on weekends, but it may simply be a lack of interest in the job. It doesn’t matter how much companies offer to pay – they may not attract new workers.
Why This Matters for Long Island Homeowners
For property owners in Suffolk and Nassau Counties, this labor shortage translates into real challenges. When you need emergency tree removal after a storm, or when that old oak in your backyard finally needs to come down, you’re competing with other homeowners for limited skilled crews.
The shortage is particularly problematic because tree care can be extremely fulfilling work, but it’s not for everyone, as the field sometimes calls for physically arduous labor and potentially risky tasks, which may not be appealing to potential employees when other options are available.
The Ripple Effects
Several factors are contributing to this crisis. Many tree services depend on seasonal migrant workers through the H2-B Visa Program, but recent policy changes have dramatically cut the number of approved visas each year, with the annual cap standing at 66,000 workers.
Additionally, the number of available tree service workers typically increases when housing construction jobs are scarce since these jobs require similar skill sets, but as the housing market has recovered over the last decade, construction jobs have increased nationwide.
How Companies Are Adapting
Forward-thinking tree service companies are investing in technology to bridge the gap. Some businesses have made large investments in equipment that cuts down the number of people needed on a job, allowing them to cut and remove trees using remote control technology, reducing crew needs from four people to just two while completing jobs in less time.
However, even with new technology, companies are still in need of people, and many report that their employees have been with them for five years or more, indicating low turnover but continued challenges in attracting new skilled workers.
What This Means for Your Next Tree Project
When planning tree work on your Long Island property, consider these realities:
- Plan ahead: Don’t wait until the last minute to schedule non-emergency work
- Be flexible: Established companies with experienced crews may have longer wait times
- Value experience: Companies with long-tenured staff offer more reliable service
- Consider full-service providers: Working with companies that offer comprehensive services, including Suffolk County stump grinding, can streamline your project
The Long-Term Outlook
The skilled labor shortage in tree services isn’t a temporary blip. Exactly half of skilled tradespeople identified a shortage of qualified candidates as the top challenge for workers in 2024, and while this represents a 3% decrease from the prior year, it indicates that despite continued staffing needs, some workers are starting to feel relief from this challenge.
For Long Island homeowners, this means building relationships with reputable, established tree service companies becomes even more valuable. Companies with strong reputations, experienced crews, and comprehensive service offerings will be better positioned to serve their communities despite industry-wide challenges.
The tree service labor shortage is a complex issue with no quick fixes, but understanding these challenges can help you make better decisions about your property’s tree care needs. When you do find a skilled, professional crew, you’ll appreciate the expertise that comes from years of training and experience in this specialized field.