How to Write a Tree Service Business Plan [Free Template]

1. Cover page and table of contents

An easy-to-read business plan serves as the first impression of your business. You might share this document with future investors or banks to secure funding, so it’s important to look professional right out of the gate.

To make a solid first impression, start your tree service business plan with:

• A cover page that showcases your professional logo, address, contact information, and the date you created your plan.
• A table of contents to help readers see what you’ve included in your plan, making it easier to skip to important sections as needed.

Although this will be the first page of your completed business plan, wait to create your cover page and table of contents as a last step so that you can capture everything.

2. Executive summary

An executive summary is a shortened snapshot of your entire business plan. It’s usually no longer than a page, and it entices the reader to read the rest of your document.

You’ll want to briefly include the following details to capture interest:

• Your income and expense forecasts to show that your business will be profitable. (For example, you might say that tree care businesses earn $553,405 per year on average, and more than 60% of them generate $1 million each year.)
• If you have partners, introduce them and their experience to instill confidence in investors that you can run the business efficiently together.
• How much money you need to get started (if any). For example, you could be transparent and say, “The purpose of this business plan is to secure $10,000 in funding.”
• What differentiates your business from other tree care businesses.

3. Business overview

Write down all the technical details of your business that would be important for investors or other interested parties to know. Your business  overview should include:

• Business structure, e.g., LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation
• Tree company name (both legal and trade name)
• Contact details such as your business email address and telephone number
• Social media profiles and website address
• Where your business will operate from (home base, office, warehouse, etc.)
• Assets that you will need to run your business effectively
• A description of the problems your business solves for customers

Remember—this section is an overview, and you don’t have to have all of the details completely figured out. You can Google “tree service business overview examples” if you feel stuck or want inspiration (but always customize examples to your unique business).

4. Management or leadership structure

When it comes time to secure funding or investment, the people making those decisions want to know who they’re investing in. Include an introduction section for your business management team to let potential investors know who’s in charge of making decisions.

List the names and roles of the people running your tree service company. This might include business owners, managers, general contractors, or important contacts. If you’re running a solo operation, include your own short biography that highlights your background, qualifications, and vision for the longevity of your business.

5. Complete list of tree care services

Now that you’ve covered the basic business details, you’re ready to provide more information on how your business will make money. At this point, think carefully about the specific services you plan to offer customers and clients.

Your tree services list might include:

• Tree removal
• Tree pruning
• Stump grinding
• Branch and limb trimming
• Urgent or emergency tree care (storm cleanup, etc.)
• Hedge and shrubbery maintenance
• Tree health and tree maintenance (certified arborist speciality services)
• Tree planting or transplanting

When building your services list, consider your time, equipment, and staffing capabilities. Avoid offering services when you don’t have the appropriate training or manpower to complete the work fully and safely.

6. Industry analysis

To complete a thorough industry analysis for your tree service business you’ll have to:

• Describe who your ideal customers are. For tree services, you might target residential customers, or you could look to commercial properties or other businesses.
• Research competing tree service businesses. This gives you an idea of your main competitors, their pricing strategies, and what makes your business different or unique.

A detailed market analysis helps you adapt your tree service business model so that you’re able to provide the best local service possible. It can also instill confidence in investors or partners, showing them that you’ve taken adequate steps to stand out in the market.

7. Marketing strategy

Using your industry analysis as a foundation, create a simple marketing plan to outline the methods you’ll attract a potential customer and stand out from the competition. 

Start with these effective marketing tactics:

• Setting up a tree service business website 
• Using social media marketing to reach your audience
• Running tree care service ads to find new customers
• Creating a customer referral program 
• Printing business cards, door hangers, and promotional flyers

Pro Tip: For a more in-depth look at tree care marketing, check out our complete tree care marketing guide.

8. Business operations plan

In this section, detail what you’ll need to get the work done efficiently and effectively. The operations section is all about execution, and it can include details like:

• The equipment you’ll need, e.g., chainsaws, brush chippers, climbing boots, mini skid steers, arborist apps, etc.
• The software systems you’ll use to book more jobs. (For example, you can use a tree service CRM to collect inquiries, send proposals, schedule work, and invoice.)
• Your business policies, contractual requirements, and standards for work and safety.
• Your plan to subcontract certain jobs, such as speciality services or one-time contracts.

9. Financial plan 

If you plan to pursue funding, the financial planning section is what bank managers and potential investors will look for.

Make sure you cover the following areas:

• Startup costs: This can vary depending on the services you provide, the equipment you need, and the size of the operation. Tree service startup investment ranges from $10,000 to $50,000.
• Overall labor and personnel costs: A labor estimate often includes how much you expect to pay team members and employees. Refer to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for salary information by service and location.
• Break-even point. Break-even is simply the point where income and expenses are the same. By mapping out your income and expenses, you should have a realistic idea about when this will happen.

READ MORE: How to create a small business budget (with free template)

10. Employee planning

Even if you hit the ground running as an owner/operator, you might quickly hit your own capacity. That’s where planning for new employees (even if they’re seasonal or temporary contractors) is helpful.

If you do decide to hire additional labor as your business grows, include the following details:

• How many subcontractors or employees you’ll need for tree service jobs
• An expected job description for new workers (like, tree trimming, tree removal, or tree planting) 
• How many jobs or placements you expect to have per month
• How much revenue you need to make from each contracted job
• Local labor rates and cost of living
• Employees’ hourly wages or salaries
• Expectations for education, safety, and training

Planning ahead for employees can help reduce stress later during the recruitment and hiring process. Plus, the need for more workers likely means that your business is booming.

READ MORE:Hiring your first employee – when and how to do it successfully

11. Business plan summary

This is the last step, and it’s an easy one. Your tree service business plan summary ties together your entire message, and it reinforces a few crucial points:

• Your unique selling proposition
• Why your tree care company will work and be successful
• Your funding requirements to launch

Your tree service business plan helps you get the capital you need to start your business. It also offers a practical blueprint you can follow to get started with confidence.

Even if you’ve been running your business for a few months or years, it’s not too late to create a new plan or make updates. With the right business model, goals, and strategies, you can achieve even more in your new venture.