Almstead Tree Company Incorporated

Almstead Tree & Shrub Care Co. has grown from a one man operation into a full service arboriculture firm over the span of nearly 50 years.Founder Richard E. Almstead when he was just starting out in the tree industry. Richard E. Almstead began his...  more »

Almstead Tree & Shrub Care Co. has grown from a one man operation into a full service arboriculture firm over the span of nearly 50 years.Founder Richard E. Almstead when he was just starting out in the tree industry. Richard E. Almstead began his career in the tree care industry back in 1960, at the age of 16. After learning the ropes and realizing that he enjoyed the profession, he decided to venture out on his own. "Someone told me that all you need to start a tree care company is a chain saw, some rope and a truck," recalls Almstead. So with a chain saw, some rope and a station wagon, he founded the Almstead Tree Company. At the age of 18, he set to work looking for jobs in the lower part of Westchester County, NY. That was 39 years ago, and his business prospered steadily from the beginning. "I was successful right away," says Almstead. "I had a greater financial risk at first, but I quickly learned that if you gave the client more than they expected and did everything as a professional, I would survive." Almstead's practical knowledge of trees was further enhanced with arborist training at both Cornell University and the New York Botanical Gardens. The business continued to grow throughout the 60's 70's & 80's. Not that there hasn't been the occasional obstacle to overcome. Back in the 70's, Almstead, like everybody else, was having difficulty finding gasoline for his trucks as shortages plagued the country and long gas lines appeared throughout the Northeast. Ever the intrepid entrepreneur, he turned a challenge into an opportunity. "We converted our trucks over from gas to propane, so we would have a steady fuel source" says Almstead. Before long, people were asking for a small shot of propane to fill the tanks on their gas grills. That resulted in the formation of a new business, Almstead Propane, which now offers propane gas to thousands of area residents. In 1993, a new division called Almstead Environmental Experts was created that specialized in utility line clearance and vegetation management. The company grew to extend throughout New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut. In March of 1998, Almstead sold the successful utility division in order to focus on the tree & shrub health care end of the business. That core business, Almstead Tree Company, Inc., is a full-service tree care firm that offers clients Plant Health Care, pruning, custom blend fertilization, emergency tree care, cabling and integrated pest management programs. Customers vary in size from single family homes to St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan. Though the company has expanded over time, it remains very much a family affair. His sons Kenneth and Michael oversee much of the operations. The opportunity to work with his family has made Almstead's success all the more satisfying. "It's been great working with my family. I would not be successful without the people who have worked for me over the years. Not just the family, but all the employees. If I have one piece of advice to offer, it is...choose good people."