How to Start a Tree Service Business: 13 Steps to Success

1. Become a certified arborist

Becoming a qualified arborist is helpful for two reasons: you’ll have industry-leading instruction on how to do the job well, and it will set you apart from the competition.

Arborist training can also help you stay safe in work environments that are sometimes dangerous or risky. To become an ISA-certified arborist, visit the International Society of Arboriculture (ISAs) website and apply for eligibility.

2. Select an official business name and logo

Your tree service company name is a prospective customer’s first impression of your business. Make sure to pick a memorable name that describes your services and sounds or looks different from local competitors.

Then, design a logo to match your business name. Depending on your design experience, you can easily create one yourself or outsource the branding work to a designer.

Next, apply your business name and logo to your business assets, including:

• Business cards
• Employee uniforms
• Company vehicles
• Business website
• Social media accounts
• Invoices and estimates

Use the same logo, colors, and business name on everything to help customers easily recognize your business. Here’s an example of what your tree service business branding could look like:

3. Create your tree service business plan

A business plan is the roadmap for what you plan to accomplish over time. A well-written plan will also help attract investors if you need financing to get started.

Your tree service business plan should include:

•  A cover page with your business name, logo, and contact information
• A quick overview of your business, including how much money you need to start
• An overview of the structure of your business (or how you plan to operate)
• Your tree services list, pricing strategy, and high-level details on profit or revenue
• A market analysis identifying who your potential customers are in your service area, what tree services they need, and how much they’re willing to pay
• A competitive analysis that describes what makes your business different from competing arborist businesses in your target market
• Your marketing strategy to attract potential clients to your tree care business
• A financial plan that details the money coming into and going out of your business for the first year (including a budget, sales forecast, and labor costs)

Pro tip: Start with a simple one-page version of your business plan and expand it over time. Getting your ideas down clearly is more important than having a perfect or lengthy business plan from day one.

4. Get business financing

If you don’t have money already set aside, you’ll need business financing to buy insurance, purchase tools and equipment, and advertise your tree care services. Consider options like:

• Business loans: Apply for a small business loan or line of credit from your bank, or through an online lender like Fundera or OnDeck.
• Government funding: Get a small business grant, loan, or find an investor through the Small Business Administration’s funding programs (if you’re in the United States). You’ll also want to check with your local government to see what federal or state-level business grants are available to you.
• Credit card: Apply for a business credit card with a low interest rate to help with cash flow while you’re just starting out.
• Small business grants: Some programs offer funding to recognize excellence in small home services businesses. For instance, Jobber Grants offer $150,000 in startup costs to qualified applicants.

How much money does it take to start a tree care business?

When starting from scratch, you can expect to spend $10,000–$50,000+ to start your tree service business. The costs break down like this:

• Business license and registration, varies by state ($400–$1,200)
• Tree care business software ($49+/month)
• Business insurance ($750/year for small companies)
• Tree care tools and safety equipment ($6,000+)
• Business cards, branded uniform, and website ($1,000–$3,000)

If you need to purchase a bucket truck or work vehicle, budget another $30,000+ or more.

5. Decide your business structure

Before registering your tree service business, you’ll need to decide how it will be legally structured. This choice affects how you’re taxed, what paperwork you’ll file, and how much personal liability protection you have if something goes wrong on a job.

In the U.S., most tree service businesses choose from the following options:

• Sole proprietorship: This type of business is simple to set up if you’re running a single person crew, but offers no personal liability protection.
• Partnership: This business type is similar to a sole proprietorship, but business ownership is shared between two or more owners.
• Limited liability company (LLC): A popular choice for tree service businesses, this type of business helps separate personal and business liability while remaining relatively easy to manage.

Because tree work involves heavy equipment, property risk, and physical labor, many owners choose an LLC for additional legal and financial protection.

Pro tip: For guidance based on your own state or financial situation, check with your state’s business office or a qualified accountant who has experience with service businesses.

6. Obtain required licenses and insurance

Most tree service businesses must secure licenses and insurance before they can legally operate or take on certain jobs. Here’s what that process looks like:

Licenses

Contact your local municipality or state licensing board to confirm which licenses are required in your area. Requirements can differ significantly, even between nearby cities.

Depending on where you operate, you may need:

• A state or municipal business license
• An arborist license, contractor’s license, or specialty trade license
• Local permits to operate specific equipment or perform tree removal

Insurance

Working at heights and operating tree service equipment can be dangerous. To protect you and your clients against accidents, invest in tree service business insurance. Your coverage should include:

• General liability insurance to cover an injury on the job or damage to your client’s property
• Workers’ compensation insurance to cover employee injuries on the job
• Commercial auto insurance to cover collision or damage claims to your company vehicle
• Commercial property insurance to cover any damage to your property or tree care equipment
• Professional liability insurance to cover claims and lawsuits over professional mistakes
• Business income insurance to keep your tree care company up and running after an incident or unexpected loss of work

You might find you need added types of coverage for different purposes. Work with your insurance provider to build a policy that’s right for your tree service business.

7. Register your business name and tax information

To legally operate your business, you’ll first need to register it with the necessary municipal, state, and federal authorities. Here’s how:

• Register your business name: If you operate under a name different from your legal entity, you may need to file a DBA (“doing business as”) with your county clerk or state business office. You can also run a trademark search through the USPTO database to ensure your tree service business name isn’t already in use.
• Register with state and local agencies: Form your LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship through your state’s Corporation Commission or clerk’s office. This officially establishes your business in your state or municipality.
• Apply for an EIN: Get an employer identification number (EIN) from the IRS. You’ll need it to file taxes, hire employees, and open a business bank account.

If you’re outside the U.S. (for example, in Canada, the UK, or Australia), the registration process may differ slightly. However, the same general steps apply.

8. Set up safety systems to stay OSHA compliant

Tree service work comes with higher-than-average risk, from heavy equipment to working high in the air. Setting up basic safety systems early can protect your crew, your customers, and your business.

In the U.S., tree service businesses are expected to follow OSHA safety standards, even if you’re a small operation or working solo.

In practice, this means identifying job-site hazards and training workers on safe equipment use. The simple habits below can go a long way toward reducing injuries, staying compliant, and running a more professional operation. Here’s what you need to know:

Standard safety protocols

Every tree service business should establish basic safety procedures that address common job-site risks, including:

• Pre-job hazard assessments (such as damage after a storm)
• Required PPE like helmets, eye and hearing protection, gloves, and cut-proof gear
• Equipment inspection and maintenance
• Clear drop zones and ground-crew communication tools
• Emergency response procedures

Clear, written protocols help reduce injuries and support compliance if inspectors review your business. Within Jobber’s mobile app, you can quickly submit site inspection forms to log concerns and alert your crew to specific safety recommendations.

Training programs

OSHA requires that workers be trained to safely perform their jobs. For tree service crews, this typically includes:

• Chainsaw and equipment operation
• Climbing and aerial lift safety
• Hazard recognition and safe work practices

As a business owner, always document any training session, and refresh content regularly. This is especially true for high-risk work where conditions could change more often.

Fall protection systems

Falls are one of the leading causes of serious injuries in tree or arborist work. Tree service businesses should use proper climbing and fall protection systems, including:

• Helmets and protective gear
• Inspected climbing harnesses for every worker
• Adequate rope, free from damage or tears
• Secure anchor points
• OSHA-compliant aerial lifts (as required)

Fall protection equipment keeps crews safe, reduces serious injuries, and helps your business meet OSHA safety expectations in residential neighborhoods and commercial properties.

Job briefings

Job briefings help crews identify site-specific hazards before work begins. A quick on-site discussion should cover the scope of work, potential safety risks, crew roles, and emergency procedures in case of accidents.

Pro tip: Use the Jobber mobile app build and check custom safety checklists and site inspection reports right from any job site. Add custom checkboxes and photo uploads to more accurately review safety requirements in the field and keep your crew safe.

9. Price your tree services for profit

Start by listing the tree care services you plan to offer. Your list might include:

• Tree trimming (residential or commercial properties)
• Tree removal
• Tree inspection
• Tree and shrubbery pruning
• Deadwooding
• Stump grinding

The next step is setting prices that actually cover your costs and leave room for profit. A straightforward way to price tree services is to work backward from your costs using this simple formula:

(Labor costs + materials + overhead) × profit margin = job price

This approach ensures every job pays for itself and contributes to your long-term business goals. For example, let’s say you’re pricing a residential tree trimming job:

• Labor: 2 workers × 4 hours × $30/hour = $240
• Materials and equipment wear: $40
• Overhead (insurance, fuel, admin, vehicle costs): $70

In this example, your total job cost is $350. If you want a 25% profit margin, your job price would be $350 × 1.25 = $437.50, which you might round up to $440.

10. Set up your small business accounting

A big part of running your new business is maintaining accurate financial records, especially when you book and send invoices for jobs. You can invest in accounting software like QuickBooks Online to easily track expenses, run payroll, and view income at a glance. 

Using small business accounting software also simplifies your tax information and helps you keep detailed and accurate financial records—preventing lots of stress later on.

READ MORE: Small business tax deductions to save money when filing

It’s also best practice to open a business bank account so that you can easily separate business and personal expenses.

11. Invest in tree removal equipment

The equipment needed to start a tree removal business will depend entirely on the services you plan to offer.

Here’s a list of common tree service equipment you’ll likely need to purchase:

• Chain saw: Used for felling and trimming trees
• Pole saw: Reaches and trims distant branches
• Ladders (of various heights): Provides access to higher parts of the tree
• Stump grinder: Efficiently removes tree stumps after cutting
• Climbing ropes: Ensures secure climbing and movement
• Helmets: Prevents head injuries from falling debris and branches
• Eye guards: Shields eyes from wood chips and dust
• Climbing boots: Offers stability and traction while climbing
• Ear protectors: Protects ears from loud machinery sounds
• Saddle: Supports the climber while suspended in trees
• Wedges: Helps direct tree falls during cutting

Tree removal equipment can get expensive, and you may not need to invest in everything up front. Book your first few jobs, see what tools you’ll need, and then purchase the right equipment based on each job description.

You’ll also need tree service management software to run your business smoothly. With Jobber, you can:

• Create and send professional quotes right from the job site.
• Schedule and dispatch your crew in seconds flat.
• Use the mobile app to easily submit job forms, complete tree climbing checklists, and send accurate risk assessments while on the go.
• Centralize communication to send, receive, and store client texts in one place.
• Optimize your daily route to improve efficiency and fit more jobs in the day.
• Access job details and photos on-site to complete the job exactly as planned.
• Instantly generate a professional invoice that’s ready to send to customers with one click.
• Get paid online, in person, or automatically.

12. Book your first customers

To get your business noticed and attract new customers, you’ll need to invest time and money into tree service marketing. There are many tactics you can try to spread the word about your new services and get your first customers, like:

• Build an arborist website that’s easy to navigate and lets customers request new work online.
• Claim your free Google Business Profile, and add the tree services you offer, your service area, and your hours of operation.
• Create your Facebook Business page, share content regularly, and include before-and-after photos of every tree service you perform.
• Set up a referral program and get more reviews from satisfied customers.
• Print and distribute tree service flyers, postcards, or door hangers in neighborhoods where you want to work.
• Ask customers to leave behind lawn signs with your business information once a job is done.
• Advertise your business on Google with Local Services ads to reach new customers in your service area.
• Join your local business association and attend community events to connect with potential customers and network with other business owners.

13. Hire your first employees and grow your business

When you’re ready to add new tree service, expand your service area, and take on more work, it could be time to hire your first employee. 

Follow these steps to hire a skilled arborist to join your business:

• Decide if you want to hire a subcontractor or employee, and set a pay rate.
• Write an arborist job description to describe the responsibilities, qualifications, and traits the ideal candidate should have.
• Post your job description on online job boards like Indeed or LinkedIn, and clarify how potential candidates can apply.
• Book interviews and ask the right interview questions to find the right match.
• Extend an offer to the top candidate and prepare for their first day, including onboarding and training.

Pro tip: Join the Tree Care Industry Association to help build safety and training programs, establish policies that help employees perform better, and evaluate your business against industry standards.

LISTEN: Overcoming hiring challenges in the tree industry