Tree planting and woodland thinning contractor

Private woodland owners, consulting foresters who subcontract crews, timber companies, hunting land owners and landowners using cost-share programs.

Priced per acre, per thousand seedlings planted or per day for a crew. Work is seasonal, so many owners add brush clearing or trail work in the off season.

• Safe chainsaw handling
• Fit and comfortable working outdoors
• Reading land maps and following a forester's plan
• Reliable crew management

• General liability insurance, and workers' compensation as soon as you hire help; forestry is a high-risk trade so check how insurers rate it
• Herbicide use may need a pesticide applicator license, check with your state agriculture department
• Some states list or certify forestry contractors or require logger training, check with your state forestry agency
• Cost-share programs often require approved practices and a forester's plan, confirm before quoting
• Seasonal income and physically demanding, risky work

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $2,500 to $12,000, depending on tools, chainsaws, safety gear, insurance and transport. Use it as a rough guide and check real prices before buying.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the jobs you win and your crew size. Income is seasonal, and the work is physically demanding and risky.

Check general liability insurance and workers' compensation once you hire help, as insurers may rate forestry as high-risk. Check pesticide applicator rules for herbicides, state forestry contractor listing or logger training, and cost-share program requirements before quoting.