Branching Out: Business Tips for Tree Service Pros

Arborist Marketing Pros

Welcome to Branching Out, the go-to podcast for tree care professionals looking to grow their business with expert marketing strategies. Hosted by Arborist Marketing Pros, each episode dives into SEO, PPC, web design, and lead generation tactics tailored specifically for the tree service industry. Whether you're a seasoned arborist or just starting out, we’ll provide actionable insights to help you attract more customers and dominate your local market. Tune in and learn how to make your business thrive with proven digital marketing techniques. 🌳

  1. 12/22/2025

    Tree Service Plant Health Care Explained (Margins, Pricing, Systems)

    Most tree companies focus on removals and trimming.This episode explains why that mindset caps your growth.In this conversation, I sit down with Alex Shy, owner of Shy Tree and a Board Certified Master Arborist, to break down the add-on service that quietly outperforms traditional tree work on profit, efficiency, and long-term revenue.We talk about plant health care as a business model, not just a service.Why standardized offers beat estimates.How recurring revenue changes customer lifetime value.And how Alex turned a simple $600 service into tens of thousands in predictable income.We also go deep on:Why PHC margins can hit 70%+ while removals struggle at 20%How to sell add-on services without more crews or trucksThe Mobile Tree Spa system and why efficiency beats scalingTurning one-time jobs into long-term client relationshipsWhy most tree companies ignore their most profitable opportunityThe future of the tree care industry, safety, regulation, and educationIf you own or run a tree service and want to grow without chaos, this episode will change how you think about your business.Chapters00:00 Intro02:00 From forestry school to tree business owner06:30 Learning the hard way and building from the ground up11:30 Why education and credentials matter14:40 The real business case for plant health care18:30 Recurring revenue vs one-time jobs22:30 Building efficiency instead of scaling crews27:00 Inside the Mobile Tree Spa concept33:00 Standardizing services and eliminating estimates38:30 Productizing tree services43:00 The future of the tree care industry45:30 Final advice for tree business ownersConnect With Alex ShyWebsite: https://www.shytree.comMobile Tree Spa: https://www.mobiletreespa.comInstagram:@alexshy_treeguy@mobiletreespaTikTok:@shytreeguyFollow Branching OutSubscribe for real conversations about growing trade businesses the right way.

    47 min
  2. 12/12/2025

    If You Don’t Know Your CAC and LTV, Your Tree Business Isn’t Scalable

    In this episode of the Branching Out Podcast, Justin Rademacher breaks down the real business math behind tree service marketing and why obsessing over cheap leads is holding many business owners back. Many tree service owners ask one question first: “How many leads am I going to get?” But that’s the wrong question. In this episode, Justin explains the difference between Cost Per Lead (CPL), Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), and Lifetime Value (LTV) and shows how these numbers work together to determine whether your marketing is actually profitable. Using simple, realistic examples, Justin walks through: • How to calculate CPL the right way • Why CAC matters more than cost per lead • How close rate impacts your true customer acquisition cost • Why LTV must be measured using profit, not revenue • What a healthy LTV to CAC ratio looks like for tree service companies • Why a 3:1 ratio is survivable but tight • Why 4:1 to 5:1 gives you room to scale • How improving close rate, pricing, and follow-up fixes bad marketing math Justin also covers a realistic slow-season example, showing how higher CPLs don’t automatically mean marketing is broken and how smart operators adjust instead of panicking. If you run a tree service business and want to: • Spend money on marketing with confidence • Understand what a customer is actually worth • Stop guessing whether your ads are working • Scale without killing cash flow This episode will give you the framework you need.

    17 min

About

Welcome to Branching Out, the go-to podcast for tree care professionals looking to grow their business with expert marketing strategies. Hosted by Arborist Marketing Pros, each episode dives into SEO, PPC, web design, and lead generation tactics tailored specifically for the tree service industry. Whether you're a seasoned arborist or just starting out, we’ll provide actionable insights to help you attract more customers and dominate your local market. Tune in and learn how to make your business thrive with proven digital marketing techniques. 🌳