Running a tree care company is not just about chainsaws, trucks, and jobs on the calendar. The arborists who build thriving businesses focus on people, relationships, and long-term value.
John Snow, a Board-Certified Master Arborist with over 30 years of experience in the industry, has worked on every aspect of the business. Sales, fieldwork, consulting, and mentoring.
His expertise demonstrates precisely what it takes to build a tree care company that endures.
This guide breaks down his key lessons into practical steps you can apply to your own business.
1. Build the Right Team
Every strong arborist business starts with a strong team.
The people you hire determine whether your company can consistently deliver safe and high-quality work.
Not every great arborist wants to be a business owner.
Some thrive in the field, where they climb, prune, and write reports.
Others wish to take on the challenge of running operations.
The best business owners recognize this difference and put people in roles where they excel.
Hire for alignment, not just skills. A well-aligned team makes growth sustainable.
John emphasizes that you cannot carry the entire load yourself.
By bringing in staff who enjoy fieldwork and reporting, he freed himself to focus on consulting, strategy, and business development.
2. Leverage Your Network
Your network is one of your most powerful business tools.
Tree care does not happen in isolation.
Developers, landowners, contractors, municipalities, and other arborists all shape your opportunities.
Joining professional groups, such as state urban forestry councils, expands your circle and creates opportunities for mutual referrals.
John, for example, built relationships through his involvement with the Florida Urban Forestry Council, where he serves as president.
That role connected him to like-minded professionals who exchanged projects and shared knowledge.
Networking is not about collecting business cards. It is about surrounding yourself with people who share your values and can help you grow.
3. Communicate Real Value to Clients
Arborist businesses often struggle to explain why their services matter.
Clients may not know the difference between an arborist, a certified arborist, or a master arborist.
Educating them is part of your job.
Communicating value means helping property owners understand all sorts of things, including:
- Why professional tree care preserves safety and property value.
- Which trees can be preserved, and which must be removed during development.
- How to compare services beyond price.
When clients see that you are focused on their long-term success, rather than just completing tasks quickly, they are more likely to trust and stay with you.
4. Keep Learning and Give Back
Growth comes from both knowledge and community.
John has built Tree Checkup as a consulting firm, but he also invests time in mentoring other arborists.
Through his Arborist Accelerator course and online community, he helps professionals prepare for certification, earn continuing education credits, and sharpen their skills.
This focus on education creates a ripple effect.
Each arborist who learns more can serve their clients better, which elevates the entire industry.
Teaching others multiplies your impact beyond the trees you touch personally.
If you want your business to grow, look for ways to learn continuously and share that knowledge with your team and peers.
5. Balance Business and Enjoyment
Running a company takes long hours, often 60 or more per week.
But success should not mean burnout.
John describes his own career as “semi-retired, but still working full time” because he enjoys it so much.
The key is finding work that excites you.
If you love what you are building, the hours feel lighter.
If your days are only drudgery, something must change. Whether that means adjusting your role, hiring more support, or shifting focus.
Tree care is a business where people either love it or leave it.
To sustain long-term growth, build a business you actually enjoy leading.
Take the Next Step in Growing Your Arborist Business
If you want to build a thriving tree care company:
- Hire and align the right people.
- Build a strong network of peers and partners.
- Communicate value clearly to clients.
- Keep learning and mentoring others.
- Create a business you enjoy running.
These lessons come from decades of real-world experience.
The path is not always smooth, but focusing on people, knowledge, and value creates a business that grows and lasts.