Quick thank-you before today’s issue: we’re now at 500+ tree service owners/operators reading The Backcut. Appreciate you being here.
Hope you had a great Christmas and you’re heading into the new year rested up. Let’s get into it.
Behind the Bark
Most tree companies don’t have a “lead problem.”
They have a visibility and follow-up problem.
Leak #1 is Google.
There’s a simple mechanism that wins local markets. We call it the Google Stack:
Google Business Profile (GBP) that’s actually complete
A steady review engine (volume + recency)
Local Services Ads (LSA), if you’re running them
When these work together, you show up more, you get clicked more, and your phone rings more.
So ask yourself: when a homeowner searches “tree removal + your city”…
Do you dominate the screen, or do you have to scroll to find your name?
If you’re not in the top 3 map pack and you don’t have recent reviews, you’re letting the “good-enough” company take the easiest jobs.
Limb of the Week
Now Leak #2: the estimate graveyard.
Tree services lose an embarrassing amount of revenue because they send a quote… and then go silent.
You drive out, look at the tree, do the math, send the number, and then tell yourself:
“If they want it, they’ll call.”
They won’t. Not because they hate you. Because:
they got busy
they forgot
or they hired the company that followed up better
Here’s the simple follow-up cadence that saves deals inside the 48-hour window:
Touch #1: Same day (within a few hours):
“Got your quote over. Any questions on scope or timing? If you want, I can hold a spot for next week.”
Touch #2: Next day:
“Just checking in, did you want Removal only, or Removal + Stump? I can price it both ways.”
Touch #3: 48 hours:
“Still on your radar? I’m finalizing next week’s schedule today. Want me to pencil you in or close it out?”
That’s it. Three touches. Short. Clear. Professional.
Most companies do zero, so you instantly stand out.
Also, make saying yes easy:
clear scope
“Good / Better / Best” options
a realistic start-date window
If you don’t have this automated while you’re dragging the brush, you’re bleeding quick wins.
This Week (15–45 minutes)
Audit your sent quotes: add up every quote from the last 30 days that’s still “open.” That number is your Follow-Up Gap.
Google yourself incognito: search “tree service + [your city]”. If you’re not in the top map results, write down who is.
Check review recency: if your last review is older than 2 weeks, text your last 5 happy customers today.
Sawdust
Two quick hitters:
1) The Google Stack reality:
GBP + reviews + response speed + (optional) Google LSA = compounding visibility.
2) Copy/paste follow-up lines:
“Want me to hold a spot for next week?”
“Do you want removal only or removal + stump? I can price both.”
“I’m finalizing the schedule today; want in or should I close it out?”
Kickback
“I don’t have time to chase leads. I’ve got trees to cut.”
That’s a technician mindset, not an owner mindset.
If you’re too busy to protect your pipeline, you’re riding a roller coaster:
production highs → panic lows → repeat.
Either you control your lead flow, or you hope the phone rings.
If you want, reply CONSULT and send:
your city
your website
your Google Business Profile link (or your company name)
I’ll tell you where you’re leaking: Google Stack, follow-up, or both.
Written by Jacob Hastings
Head of Growth & Client Strategy at Growth Ring Media
