Tree Service Contract
TREE SERVICE CONTRACT
This Tree Service Contract ("Agreement") is entered into as of [Service Date], by and between [Company Name], located at [Company Address] ("Company"), and [Client Name], located at [Property Address] ("Client").
1. SCOPE OF WORK
Company agrees to perform the following tree services at the property located at [Property Address]: [Work Description]. Stump grinding: [Stump Grinding]. Any work not listed above is excluded from this Agreement and requires a separate written change order.
2. DEBRIS DISPOSAL
Following completion of the work, all debris (logs, brush, and chips) shall be: [Debris Disposal]. Client is responsible for ensuring adequate access for Company's equipment and debris hauling vehicles. Client shall disclose the location of all underground utilities, irrigation systems, and septic systems to Company prior to the service date.
3. CLIENT PREPARATION
Prior to the scheduled service date, Client shall: (a) clear all vehicles, outdoor furniture, and movable property from the work area; (b) disclose the location of all underground utilities, irrigation lines, and septic systems; (c) notify Company of any structures, fences, or landscaping that require special protection; and (d) ensure that Company's crew has safe access to the work area. Failure to complete these obligations may relieve Company of liability for incidental property damage.
4. PERMITS
[Permit Responsibility]. The party responsible for permits shall obtain all required permits before the service date. Delay or cancellation caused by permit issues shall not constitute a breach by Company. If a permit is denied, Company shall refund any deposit paid, minus reasonable costs incurred.
5. PRICING AND PAYMENT
The total contract price for the services described herein is [Total Price]. Payment is due [Payment Terms]. If unforeseen conditions are discovered during work (interior decay, underground obstacles, hidden utilities) that materially affect the cost or method of service, Company will stop and obtain Client's written approval before proceeding with additional charges. Late payments shall accrue interest at 1.5% per month.
6. INSURANCE
Company represents that it maintains general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence covering property damage and bodily injury to third parties, and workers' compensation insurance covering all crew members. Client may request a current certificate of insurance prior to the service date. Company is not responsible for injuries or property damage caused by Client's failure to fulfill their preparation obligations under Section 3.
7. LIABILITY
Company shall be liable for property damage caused by Company's negligence during the performance of the contracted work. Company shall NOT be liable for: (a) damage caused by pre-existing structural conditions of the tree or property that were not disclosed or discoverable by visual inspection; (b) damage to undisclosed underground utilities or systems; (c) damage resulting from Client's failure to comply with preparation requirements; or (d) damage resulting from weather events occurring after work is substantially complete.
8. INDUSTRY STANDARDS
All pruning and trimming work shall be performed in accordance with ANSI A300 standards for tree care operations. Company represents that all crew performing arboricultural work hold or are supervised by ISA Certified Arborists where applicable and required by state law.
9. GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of [Governing State]. Any disputes shall first be submitted to good-faith negotiation. If unresolved within thirty (30) days, either party may pursue available legal remedies. The prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees and costs.
10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties regarding the tree services described herein. Any modifications must be in writing and signed by both parties.
SIGNATURES
Company: [Company Name]
Signature: _________________________ Date: _____________
Client: [Client Name]
Signature: _________________________ Date: _____________
Company
________________
Signature
Client
________________
Signature
What Is a Tree Service Contract?
A Tree Service Contract in the United States records the obligations the parties accept and the terms governing their arrangement.
Tree work is classified as one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and is subject to OSHA regulations under 29 C.F.R. Part 1910 (general industry standards) and 29 C.F.R. Part 1926 (construction standards for tree removal near structures). Professional tree care companies should hold certifications from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) or equivalent professional organizations, and must carry specific insurance coverages given the inherent risk of the work.
From a property damage standpoint, tree removal and trimming near structures, power lines, fences, vehicles, and landscaping presents significant risk. A well-drafted tree service contract clearly defines the work area, identifies any structures or underground utilities that must be protected, specifies the method of tree removal (felling vs. section-by-section removal), and establishes the contractor's liability for any damage occurring during work on properly prepared sites. Utility companies often require separate notification or permits before tree work near power lines.
The contract should also address permit requirements — many municipalities require permits for removing trees above a certain size or of certain protected species — and confirm which party is responsible for obtaining them.
When Do You Need a Tree Service Contract?
A Tree Service Contract is needed any time a professional tree company is engaged to perform work on a property. For hazardous tree removal — a dead, diseased, or structurally compromised tree that poses a risk to structures or people — the contract must clearly define the removal method, how the tree will be brought down safely, what happens to the debris and stump, and the liability allocation if the removal causes any incidental damage.
For tree trimming and pruning services on a residential or commercial property, the contract documents which specific trees will be trimmed, how much material will be removed, and whether the work will be performed to ISA pruning standards.
For storm damage emergency response — a tree that has fallen on a roof, fence, or vehicle — the contract should clearly separate the emergency removal work from any subsequent cleanup or repair work, which may be handled by a different contractor and covered by homeowner's insurance.
For ongoing tree care programs on commercial properties, HOAs, or municipal properties, the agreement establishes the annual service schedule, service standards, and pricing for recurring work.
When tree work will be performed near utility lines, the contract should confirm that the utility company has been notified and that the work complies with ANSI A300 standards for utility line clearance.
What to Include in Your Tree Service Contract
The scope of work must identify each specific tree to be serviced — ideally by species, size, and location on the property — and describe precisely what work will be performed on each (removal to ground level, pruning to reduce crown by 20%, stump grinding to X inches below grade).
Debris disposal terms specify whether logs, brush, and chips will be removed from the property or left for the client's use, and if removal is included, whether it is hauled away on the same day or requires a separate trip.
Equipment access requirements establish what access the crew needs to perform the work — driveway access for a bucket truck, permission to park on the lawn, removal of fencing sections — and what the client must do to prepare the work area.
Permit responsibility identifies which party is responsible for obtaining any required municipal tree removal permits and who bears the cost.
Insurance requirements confirm that the tree company carries general liability insurance (minimum $1 million per occurrence), workers compensation for all crew members, and ideally inland marine coverage for equipment. The client should request certificates of insurance before work begins.
Property protection provisions address how structures, landscaping, fences, and underground utilities will be protected during work. The contract should require the client to disclose the location of underground utilities, irrigation lines, and septic systems.
Pricing and payment terms establish the total contract price, whether additional charges apply for unforeseen conditions (large root systems, interior decay discovered during removal), when payment is due, and accepted payment methods.
A governing law clause and dispute resolution procedure close the agreement.
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Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). Tree Service Contract (United States) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/usa/business/services/tree-service-contract
"Tree Service Contract (United States)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/usa/business/services/tree-service-contract.
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author = {{Forms Legal}},
title = {Tree Service Contract (United States)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/usa/business/services/tree-service-contract}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)}
}Frequently Asked Questions
A Tree Service Contract is legally binding in the United States once the parties capable of contracting sign it with the intent to be bound under Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). American contract law, drawn from the Restatement (Second) of Contracts and each state's common law, recognizes a Tree Service Contract as enforceable when it shows offer, acceptance, consideration, and reasonably definite terms. Courts in the state whose law governs the agreement will hold the parties to its written terms unless a party proves fraud, duress, mistake, unconscionability, or that the subject matter is illegal. A signed Tree Service Contract carries more evidentiary weight than an oral understanding because the writing fixes what each party promised and reduces later disputes over who agreed to what. To strengthen enforceability, the parties should each keep an original signed copy, date their signatures, and complete every blank rather than leaving terms open to interpretation by a judge.
A Tree Service Contract in the United States must satisfy the core elements of a valid contract: mutual assent shown by offer and acceptance, consideration exchanged between the parties, the legal capacity of each signer, and a lawful purpose. The relevant framework is Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) governs how the document is interpreted and enforced. The writing should clearly identify each party by full legal name, describe the rights and obligations of each side, and state the effective date and any term or expiration. Where one party is a business entity, the person signing should hold authority to bind that entity, such as an officer, manager, or member. Specific states may add formalities for certain agreements, so the parties should confirm local rules before signing. A Tree Service Contract that omits a material term, leaves the price or duration blank, or fails to identify the parties accurately risks being found too uncertain for a court to enforce.
A Tree Service Contract does not require notarization or witnesses to be enforceable in most US states, because a commercial contract takes effect when the parties sign it with the intent to be bound. American contract law makes the agreement valid based on offer, acceptance, and consideration rather than on any formal execution ceremony. Notarization is optional but can add evidentiary weight to a Tree Service Contract by making it harder for a signer to deny the signature later, which is useful for high-value or long-term agreements. Certain contracts within the Statute of Frauds, including those that cannot be performed within one year or that involve the sale of goods of $500 or more under Uniform Commercial Code Section 2-201, must at least be in writing and signed by the party to be charged. For a typical Tree Service Contract, signatures from both parties, with each keeping a dated original, are sufficient to make the agreement binding and provable.
A Tree Service Contract can be terminated according to the termination clause it contains, by mutual agreement of the parties, or when one party's material breach excuses the other from further performance. A well-drafted Tree Service Contract states how either side may end the relationship, for example on written notice of a defined number of days, on completion of the work, or for cause after a chance to cure. Where the contract is silent, US courts may imply a reasonable notice period for ongoing arrangements, but relying on an implied term invites dispute. Termination does not erase obligations that have already accrued, so amounts owed for work performed before termination usually remain payable. Including clear termination, notice, and survival provisions in a Tree Service Contract that cover confidentiality, payment, and dispute resolution after the contract ends gives both parties certainty about how and when the relationship can be wound down.
A Tree Service Contract can be amended after signing when all parties agree to the change and record it in writing. Under general US contract principles, an amendment is itself a contract, so it needs the same mutual assent and, in many states, fresh consideration or a signed written modification to be enforceable. The cleanest method is a dated amendment or addendum that identifies the original Tree Service Contract, states exactly which sections change, and is signed by everyone who signed the original. Striking through or handwriting edits on the signed original invites disputes about who approved the change and when, so a separate written amendment is the preferred approach. Where the agreement contains a 'no oral modification' clause, only a signed writing will alter the terms, and informal promises to change the deal will not bind the parties. Keeping each amendment attached to the original Tree Service Contract preserves a complete record of the parties' final agreement.
A Tree Service Contract does not require a lawyer in most routine situations, and many individuals and small businesses prepare one using a clear written template that covers the standard terms. American law does not condition the validity of a Tree Service Contract on attorney involvement; what matters is that the parties understand the terms and sign voluntarily. Legal review becomes worthwhile when the amounts at stake are large, the relationship is complex, the parties are in different states, or the agreement involves unusual conditions, tax consequences, or rights that are difficult to reverse. An attorney can confirm the document complies with the governing state's law and tailor clauses such as indemnification, dispute resolution, and termination. For straightforward matters, a carefully completed Tree Service Contract from forms-legal.com gives the parties a solid written record; consulting a licensed attorney remains the safer path whenever the consequences of a mistake would be costly or hard to undo.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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