DELMAR — No one has had to tell Jim Haslam to go climb a tree; he does it for a living.
“I started my business with a ‘78 Ford pick-up truck, a Lawn-Boy lawnmower and a McCulloch chainsaw,” said Haslam, owner and operator of Haslam Tree Service, Inc., where he has been doing business out of Slingerlands since 1983.
“It’s something that started from scratch,” said Haslam. “I actually went to college for environmental science and forestry. Got a degree in forest management.” He had also taken a few elective courses in dendrology, entomology and tree pathology. As his college friends partied on the weekends, he said he came back home to work and build the business he had in mind.
Haslam Tree Service, Inc. specializes in tree removal, pruning, stump grinding and the clearing of land. When residents call about a ailing tree, Haslam said cutting it down may not be the solution. “If you call me and want a diagnosis for a tree,” said Haslam, who is an arborist, “I can tell you what it is. … I take my time. I talk to people and analyze their yard. If they want me to come in and take a look at one tree, I’ll ask to look at them all. I don’t charge for it.”
Haslam Tree Service, Inc. is a family run business and will always be kept that way, said Jim. His wife continues to handle many of the office duties. Their son, C.J., will soon receive the keys to the business. He is already handling business operations.
When the day comes for C.J to take over Jim will still remain a part of the business that he started. “I’ll always be there to do estimates and help out with whatever he needs me to do,” Jim said.
For more information, call Haslam Tree Service at 439-9702 or email [email protected]
