While everyone's fighting over the same Google searches and getting crushed by fake leads, there's a marketing channel most tree services completely ignore: Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM).

Here's why it works for tree services specifically:

1. Zero competition in the mailbox. When someone searches "tree removal near me," you're bidding against 5+ competitors. When your postcard hits their mailbox, you're often the only tree service they see that week.

2. Geographic precision. Tree work is hyperlocal. EDDM lets you blanket specific neighborhoods, streets, or zip codes. You can literally target the neighborhoods with the oldest, tallest trees, the ones most likely to need your services.

3. Predictable costs. Google Ads costs fluctuate wildly. Storm season hits, and your cost per click doubles. With EDDM, postage is postage. You know exactly what you're paying, and it never changes based on "competition" or "demand."

4. Perfect timing opportunities. Unless you have developed a system like ours, you can't time Google Ads to hit right after a storm. But you can have EDDM postcards printed and ready to drop the moment the weather clears.

The economics are simple: EDDM costs around 19-25 cents per piece (postage + printing). If you mail 1,000 homes and get a 1-2% response rate, that's 10-20 leads for $190-250. Compare that to Performance Max burning through your budget on bot traffic.

But timing is everything. Send mail at random, and you'll waste money.
Send it strategically and you'll dominate your market.

Most tree services either never mail, or they mail once, get mediocre results, and quit. The secret isn't whether to mail, it's when to mail and staying top of mind.

1. Within 48-72 hours after major storms

This is the highest ROI timing for tree service EDDM. Have postcards pre-printed with "STORM DAMAGE? WE'RE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TODAY" messaging. The moment a storm passes, identify the hardest-hit zip codes and drop mail immediately.

While your competitors are waiting for Google searches, you're already in every mailbox with emergency removal offers. Pro tip: Partner with a local printer who can turn around rush orders, or keep 500+ templated storm cards printed and ready to go.

2. To new homeowners within their first 60 days

New homeowners inherit trees they didn't choose. Many have deferred maintenance from the previous owner. They're also in "nesting mode", spending money to make the house theirs.

Target new homeowner lists with messaging around "New to the Neighborhood? Let's Talk About Your Trees." Offer a promotional tree health assessment or storm-readiness inspection. These leads convert at 3-4x the rate of cold traffic because timing and intent align perfectly.

3. Early spring (March-April) for the maintenance season

This is when homeowners start thinking about their yards again. Mail in late February/early March with "Spring Tree Health Checklist" or "Get Your Property Storm-Ready Before Hurricane Season" messaging.

Target neighborhoods with mature tree canopies. You can identify these using satellite imagery or just drive through and look for tall oaks and pines. These are your highest-value prospects.

4. Late fall (October-November) for winter prep

Northern markets: "Prevent Winter Storm Damage."
Southern markets: "Tornado/Hurricane Season Wrap-Up: Is Your Property Safe?"

This timing works because homeowners are thinking about preparing their property for winter, and trees are a visible part of that preparation. Bonus: slower season for many tree services, so you're filling your calendar during traditional downtime.

5. Neighborhood saturation when you're already working nearby

This is the most underutilized strategy. When you know you're doing a job in a neighborhood, mail every house within a 3-block radius with "We're Working on [Street Name] This Week: Ask Your Neighbors!"

Social proof is powerful. When neighbors see your trucks, then get your postcard, then see those trucks again, you become the dominant local choice. One visible job can generate 3-5 additional jobs in the same neighborhood if you execute this correctly.

→ EDDM vs. addressed mail - EDDM doesn't require a mailing list or individual addresses. You select carrier routes and every address gets your postcard. It's cheaper and faster, but less personalized. For tree services, the tradeoff is worth it.

→ Design tips that convert - Big, clear before/after photos work best. Avoid cluttered designs. One clear offer (free estimate, same-day service, $X off). Make your phone number huge.

→ Response rate reality check - Industry average for EDDM is 0.5-2%. For tree services with good timing and targeting, expect 1-3%. That means 1,000 mailers might generate 10-30 leads. At $250 total cost, that's $8-25 per lead, often cheaper than Google Ads with better quality.

"But nobody reads mail anymore!"

Really? Then why are your homeowner prospects still checking their mailboxes every day? Why do insurance companies, solar installers, and roofing companies still mail millions of pieces monthly?

They mail because it works.

Here's what actually happened: digital marketers convinced everyone that "digital is where everyone is," so businesses mostly abandoned direct mail. Now there's less competition in mailboxes than ever, which means your mail actually gets seen.

Meanwhile, everyone's fighting over the same Google searches, Facebook posts…driving costs through the roof, while dealing with fake leads and bot traffic.

The tree services winning right now aren't just running Google Ads. They're running integrated campaigns: EDDM after storms, Google Ads for emergency searches, door hangers in neighborhoods where they're working, and yard signs at every job.

But most owners won't do this because it requires more work. It's easier to throw money at Google and hope the algorithm saves you.

The truth of the matter is…

The cost of printing and mailing 1,000 postcards is less than most tree services waste on fake leads in a single months. But mailing requires planning, design, timing, and execution. Google Ads just requires a credit card.

Stop letting digital own your entire lead generation strategy. Diversify. Mail. Own your local market through multiple channels.

Your competitors are all doing the same thing. 

Stand out.

We’ll show you exactly where the money’s leaking and how to stop it.
It’s a $100 deep-dive, not a sales pitch.
If it’s not worth at least 10× what you paid, we’ll refund you. No questions asked.

Find what’s costing you calls, jobs, and profit - before your competition does.

Written by Jacob Hastings
Head of Growth & Client Strategy at Growth Ring Media