If the tree is on your property and the tree's limbs hang over the property line, it is not your responsibility to cut them as you would be crossing a property line. 

@Mark Benevento the short answer to your question above: 5% won't cut it.

Use professionals and stop cutting corners..

So far, they've not missed a single (modified) rent payment and their lawyer has confirmed that the settlement amount he is working toward has already been modified to reflect that the first check cut from the settlement will be coming my way to pay me in full. 4 months from now, I'll have either dodged a large bullet or will be crying in the new year for my failure not to evict sooner. 

Don't cut yourself short. 

Second, if you want to argue about profit, where's the cut off point?

I didn't even ask what my cut was going to be.

Most of the time ive had these small sections cut out and replaced with a pvc fitting.

Maybe create a list of "needs vs wants" and see what you can cut out. 

Or a job you'd love much more and would be willing to work for 20 more years and take a pay cut in order just to not be an engineer anymore?