Tree Service Business
Storm season is their best season — nature funds your payroll
Tree service companies remove, trim, and care for trees for residential and commercial clients. One emergency storm removal can gross $2,000-$6,000 in a single call. A 3-person crew running 3-4 jobs a day generates staggering revenue — most people dramatically underestimate how fast tree money accumulates. The U.S. tree services market is worth $29 billion and growing.
Avg Revenue
$450K
Profit Margin
25%
Acquisition Multiple
1.5x - 3x
Startup Cost
$20K - $150K
Difficulty
3/5
How It Works
Customers book tree removal, trimming, stump grinding, or emergency storm cleanup. An ISA-certified arborist provides estimates; crews perform the work with chainsaws, chippers, and aerial lifts. Emergency work during storms commands 50-100% premium pricing. Revenue scales rapidly by adding crews and chippers.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 561730 · Landscaping Services
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal | Jobs | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | FL | $1.9M | $2.3M | 2 | — |
| Dec 2025 | FL | $475K | $559K | 6 | — |
| Dec 2025 | CO | $1.4M | $1.6M | 17 | — |
| Dec 2025 | GA | $3.0M | $3.5M | 2 | — |
| Nov 2025 | FL | $1.7M | $2.0M | 100 | — |
| Nov 2025 | UT | $4.7M | $5.6M | 38 | — |
| Nov 2025 | FL | $2.1M | $2.5M | 4 | — |
| Nov 2025 | MA | $2.2M | $2.6M | 15 | — |
| Nov 2025 | AZ | $159K | $187K | 7 | — |
| Nov 2025 | OH | $781K | $919K | 20 | — |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +One storm can generate $10K-$50K in a single week
- +Average job ticket is $1,200-$3,000 — revenue adds up fast
- +Recurring trimming work from residential contracts
- +Stump grinding and lot clearing provide ancillary revenue
Cons
- -Extremely high-risk work — insurance is expensive
- -Equipment (chippers, lifts) costs $50K-$200K+
- -ISA certification adds credibility but requires training
Best For
Operators comfortable with physical crews and high-ticket project work
Operating Costs
Key costs are crew wages (largest), equipment financing and maintenance, insurance (very high — $20K-$50K/yr), fuel, and dump fees for debris. Margins expand significantly with owned equipment versus rented.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Find tree service and arborist businesses for sale
Browse tree care company acquisition opportunities
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- service
- Difficulty
- 3/5
- Buy price
- $675K–$1.4M
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
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