Ep 12 From the UK to Canada: Building a 100+ Employee Tree Service – Martin Evans’ Journey

Download our FREE 7 Steps Guide: How to Acquire Commercial Clients and get the roadmap to land high-value contracts. https://info.treesurgeonsbusinessacademy.co.uk/Commercial-Client-Toolkit

–

Struggling to grow your tree surgery business? Join our Mastermind & Coaching Waitlist to be the first to know about upcoming business growth opportunities designed to help you gain more time, increase profit, and build a business that works for you! https://info.treesurgeonsbusinessacademy.co.uk/mastermindwaitlist

–

Join our free Facebook community to network with other tree surgeons, get valuable answers to your questions, and connect with professionals focused on growing their businesses! https://www.facebook.com/groups/treesurgeonbusinessowners

–

In this episode of the Tree Surgeons Podcast, host Henry welcomes Martin Evans, a British-born arborist who made a bold move to Canada and built Vancouver Island Tree Services (VI Tree)—a thriving tree care business with over 100 employees. Martin shares his journey from starting in the UK tree industry, facing business challenges, and ultimately relocating to Canada to take on new opportunities. He discusses the differences between the UK and Canadian tree industries, the realities of running a large-scale tree service business, and advice for arborists looking to grow their careers or even move abroad.

Whether you're a tree worker, a business owner, or just fascinated by international success stories, this episode is packed with valuable insights, industry comparisons, and practical advice for anyone in arboriculture.

Topics Discussed: 

- Martin’s journey in arboriculture
- Starting and scaling a tree service business
- Challenges of running a tree surgery business
- Differences between UK & Canadian tree work
- Utility & contract work
- Working in extreme conditions
- Advice for aspiring arborists & entrepreneurs
- Opportunities for UK arborists in Canada

 

Chapters: 

00:00:00 - Introduction Henri introduces Martin Evans and his background.

00:02:00 – How Martin discovered tree surgery after studying gamekeeping.

00:05:00 - Martin’s first tree business in the UK.

00:08:00 – Why Martin chose Canada over New Zealand or France.

00:12:00 – Comparing wages, training, and job opportunities between UK and Canadian Tree Industries 

00:18:00 – Starting Vancouver Island Tree Services (VI Tree)

00:23:00 – Winning utility contracts and navigating competitiog, expanding into BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and beyond.

00:27:00 – How tree workers operate in harsh Canadian winters.

00:30:00 – Advice for arborists & tree surgery business owners

00:32:00 – How UK climbers can move to Canada and get work.

00:35:00 – Final thoughts and how to connect with Martin

–

About the Guest

Martin Evans is the CEO of Vancouver Island Tree Service and CEO of West Coast Wood Chippers, with over 25 years of experience in arboriculture. Originally from the UK, Martin ran his own successful tree service company for 15 years before moving to Canada in 2010 with his wife and four children. He studied Woodland and Estate Management at Warwickshire College of Agriculture (1991-1993), laying the foundation for his expertise in the industry.

–

Contact the Guest: 

Website: https://www.vitree.ca/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-evans-b7699339/ ; 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vitree.ca

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VITree.ca#

–

Connect with the host:

Website: http://tsba.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treesurgeonsbusinessacademy/ ; https://www.instagram.com/henrighijben/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/treesurgeonbusinessowners

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henri-ghijben

–

This episode is sponsored by Greenline Arb (GLA) - a powerful digital platform created by tree surgeons, aimed at taking the stress out of tree work. Focussing on the main pain points in the game, such as; finding tip sites,  connecting workers with employers, responding to emergency situations and locating services that are required to run a tree company. Green Line is allowing professionals to operate with more freedom. Solving multiple problems in one fell swoop.

Download the app today or check out the website for more information.

App Store: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/greenline-arb/id6448873784

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.greenlinearbapp&hl=en_US&pli=1

Website: https://www.greenlinearb.com/