Free Tree Service Proposal Template (Word & PDF Download)

A professional tree service proposal is the difference between winning a $2,000 job and losing it to the guy who texted "I can do it for $1,800." Clients don’t just compare prices — they compare professionalism, clarity, and trust.

This guide shows you exactly what to include in a tree service proposal, with a template you can use today.

What Every Tree Service Proposal Needs

A winning proposal isn’t a paragraph in a text message. It’s a structured document that shows the client exactly what they’re getting. Here’s the anatomy of a professional tree service proposal:

1. Company Header

• Company name and logo
• Phone number and email
• License and insurance numbers
• ISA certification (if applicable)

2. Client Information

• Client name and address
• Property address (if different)
• Date of site visit / assessment

3. Scope of Work

This is the most important section. Be specific:

• Bad: "Remove tree in backyard — $1,200"
• Good: "Remove one (1) dead silver maple (approx. 45ft) in rear yard. Includes sectional dismantling, branch chipping on site, trunk cut to ground level. Stump grinding to 8” below grade included. All debris removed from property."

The more specific you are, the fewer disputes you’ll have and the more professional you’ll appear.

4. Line Items with Pricing

Break the work into individual line items:

Item	Description	Price
Tree removal	Silver maple, rear yard, sectional dismantling	$950
Stump grinding	Grind to 8" below grade, fill with chips	$250
Cleanup	All debris removed, yard raked clean	Included
Subtotal		$1,200
TPS (5%)		$60.00
TVQ (9.975%)		$119.70
Total		$1,379.70

5. Terms and Conditions

Include these standard terms:

• Quote validity period (typically 30 days)
• Payment terms (e.g., due upon completion, or 50% deposit for large jobs)
• Accepted payment methods
• Cancellation policy
• Liability limitations
• Permit responsibility (if applicable)

6. Signature Line

A signature block for the client to accept. This turns your quote into a binding agreement. Electronic signatures are legally valid and much more convenient than printing and scanning.

Tree Removal Proposal: What to Include

Removals are where vague proposals cause the most disputes, because the client can’t see the work until it’s done. Spell out:

• Which tree(s) — species, approximate height or trunk diameter, and location on the property ("45 ft silver maple, rear yard, north fence line").
• Method — straight fell, sectional dismantling, or crane. Mention rigging if you are protecting a structure, fence or garden.
• Stump — left at ground level, flush cut, or ground to a stated depth. Say whether the grindings are hauled away or left as backfill.
• Wood and debris — chipped on site and hauled, bucked and left for firewood, or logs removed. This one line prevents most "I thought you were taking the wood" calls.
• Utilities and access — who calls for locates, whether a utility shutdown or traffic control is needed, and what the client must provide (gate unlocked, vehicles moved).
• Permits — whether the municipality requires a removal permit and who obtains it. State that work starts only once the permit is approved.
• Exclusions — lawn repair, root removal, replanting, or neighbouring trees, unless priced.

Line-item the stump grinding separately. It’s the add-on clients most often drop to lower the price, and keeping it separate lets them say yes to the removal without renegotiating.

Tree Trimming Proposal: What to Include

Trimming proposals fail for the opposite reason: the client has a picture in their head, and "trim the oak" means something different to everyone. Use ANSI A300 pruning vocabulary so the scope is objective:

• Type of pruning — crown cleaning (dead, diseased and crossing limbs), crown thinning (state a percentage, usually no more than 25%), crown raising (clearance height over the roof, driveway or lawn), or crown reduction (how many feet, and from which sides).
• Clearance targets — "10 ft from the roofline", "8 ft over the driveway", "3 ft from the service line".
• Limb size — the maximum branch diameter you will remove, so the client knows you are not topping the tree.
• Frequency — one-time or recurring. Recurring pruning is a good candidate for a multi-year price.
• Cleanup — brush chipped and removed, lawn raked, roof and gutters cleared of debris.

Add a line that you prune to ANSI A300 standards and do not top trees. It separates you from the lowest bidder and protects you when a client asks for something that would damage the tree.

Stump Grinding and Other Add-Ons

Keep add-ons as separate line items so each can be accepted or declined on its own: stump grinding (depth and backfill), firewood bucking and stacking, log removal, lawn repair, cabling and bracing, and emergency or after-hours surcharges.

Tips to Increase Your Close Rate

Respond Fast

The first company to send a professional quote wins the job 60% of the time. If a client calls Monday morning, send the quote Monday afternoon — not Thursday.

Include Photos

Take photos during your site visit and include them in the proposal. Mark up the photos to show which trees you’re quoting on. This shows attention to detail and prevents confusion.

Offer Options

Give clients two or three options when it makes sense:

• Option A: Full removal + stump grinding — $1,200
• Option B: Full removal only — $950
• Option C: Crown reduction (trim only) — $450

This shifts the conversation from "should I hire you?" to "which option do I want?" and dramatically increases your close rate.

Follow Up

40–50% of tree service quotes are never followed up on. A simple follow-up 3 days after sending the quote can increase your close rate by 20–30%. Most clients aren’t saying "no" — they’re saying "I’ll get to it later."

Automate Your Proposals

Creating proposals manually in Word or Google Docs works for your first few quotes, but it doesn’t scale. Arborist estimate software like ArbreCRM lets you:

• Create professional PDF quotes in 2 minutes from your phone
• Auto-calculate taxes (TPS/TVQ, HST, state sales tax)
• Send quotes via email with one-click e-signature
• Track which quotes are viewed, accepted, or pending
• Automatically follow up on unsold quotes
• Convert accepted quotes directly into scheduled jobs

The result: faster quotes, higher close rates, and less admin work. Book a live demo of ArbreCRM — $49–$149/month, no contracts.