Tree & Shrub

Landscaping

When he began his arborist career in 1960, 16-year-old Richard E. Almstead thought tree care was simple. '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, a station wagon and a couple of years of experience, he founded Almstead Tree Company in 1964. Almstead began taking tree care jobs in the lower part of Westchester County, NY. 'I was successful right away,' says Almstead. 'There was great financial risk at first, but I quickly learned that if I gave the clients more than they expected and did everything as a professional, I would survive.' Almstead further developed his tree care expertise by studying arboriculture at both Cornell University and the New York Botanical Gardens. The business continued to grow throughout the following decades, despite occasional obstacles. During the 70's, gas shortages plagued the country and long gas lines appeared throughout the Northeast. Ever the intrepid entrepreneur, Almstead 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 propane to fill the tanks on their gas grills. That resulted in the formation of a new business, Almstead Propane, which still sells propane gas to area residents.