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Environmental, Social, and Governance

How we care for our people, our communities, and the environment

The SavATree commitment

At SavATree, our approach to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives reflects a simple belief that sustainable tree care, safe teams, and sound business practices grow together. The commitments below show how we put that belief into practice every day across our residential and commercial tree care work.

Environmental

As an arboricultural company, our daily work is rooted in nature. We follow environmentally sensible practices in the field, in our fleet, and in the products we use, and we invest in the long-term health of the trees and landscapes we serve.

For Every Tree: reforestation with the Arbor Day Foundation

For every tree we remove, we help another grow.

Preservation always comes first, and our ISA Certified Arborists protect tree health and longevity whenever possible through expert diagnosis and science-based care. When removal is the only responsible option, we partner with the Arbor Day Foundation on the For Every Tree initiative to plant a tree in one of their U.S. reforestation projects, focusing on the forest ecosystems that need restoration most. There is no added cost to our clients; we build it into tree removal, and the Arbor Day Foundation handles the planting. We build this promise into our standard residential and commercial tree care practices.

Sustainable tree care in practice

Our environmental commitment runs throughout our operations. We have reduced fleet fuel consumption through no-idling policies, route optimization, and a transition to battery-operated equipment. We apply Lean Sigma principles to reduce waste across our offices and field operations, and we select science-based, environmentally sensible ingredients that meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards and, for our organic programs, the standards of the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI).

Social

Our people, and the communities we serve, are at the center of everything we do. We invest in a safe workplace, continuous professional development, and knowledge sharing that helps landscapes and neighborhoods thrive.

Our people

Of SavATree's more than 3,035 employees, 73% are field-based ISA Certified Arborists and specialists who deliver residential and commercial tree care directly to client properties.

Safety is job #1

Our people are our greatest asset, and we take every precaution to provide a safe work environment for every team member.

  • Employee safety: Our robust safety programs and requirements meet or exceed industry standards and OSHA requirements.
  • Safe use of equipment: We train all field-based team members to operate equipment and complete their work duties safely. Our branch managers and service line directors regularly audit team members for safety compliance and gather suggestions for improving our policies and requirements.
  • Recognized every year since 2014: We have received a Tree Care Industry Association Safety Award every year since 2014 for our proactive, multifaceted approach to improving our company safety culture.

Employee training and development

We are committed to providing our employees with opportunities for career advancement and professional growth. Most of our arborists and field specialists are degreed professionals who hold the licenses and certifications required to do business in the states where we operate, and our arboricultural teams receive continuous hands-on, online, and classroom training.

  • Onboarding for new field-based employees.
  • Professional certifications.
  • Continuing education and skill development through our in-house self-advancement training program and recognized industry training programs, supporting career progression through demonstrated skill.
  • Leadership development through individual development plans and mentor-mentee pairs that support accelerated learning and professional growth.

Certified expert arborists

Our teams hold some of the industry's most respected credentials, reflecting our ongoing investment in the people who care for your residential and commercial tree care and landscape.

  • ISA Certified Arborists: Certified by the International Society of Arboriculture, recognizing a tested level of knowledge in tree care.
  • ISA Board Certified Master Arborists: The ISA's highest certification, recognizing the highest level of professionalism in tree care.
  • ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified Arborists: Trained in a standardized, systematic process for assessing tree risk and advising owners and risk managers on safety and health decisions.
  • TCIA Certified Treecare Safety Professionals: Recognized by the Tree Care Industry Association for advanced safety leadership in arboriculture.
  • Registered Consulting Arborists: Members of the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) who are registered through ASCA's professional training.
  • Landscape Industry Certified Technicians: Recognized for demonstrated knowledge of landscape concepts and the ability to perform industry tasks to specific standards.

Our community: stewardship education

We believe one of the best ways to give back to our communities is to share our knowledge of environmentally sensible landscape stewardship. Our team participates in hundreds of community and trade events each year, and thousands attend our workshops, talks, garden walks, and webinars annually, all focused on bringing sustainable practices to residential and community landscapes.

Governance

Sound governance underpins everything above. We hold ourselves to rigorous industry standards, business ethics, and accountability, and we help shape the standards our industry follows.

Accreditation and industry standards

  • Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) Accreditation: SavATree was the first multi-state tree care company in the U.S. to earn TCIA accreditation, which recognizes adherence to high standards of service quality, business ethics, and customer satisfaction across residential and commercial tree care.

  • ANSI A300 standards: SavATree adheres to the American National Standards Institute's A300 standards for tree care, and we hold a voting seat on the committee that develops these industrywide standards for tree, shrub, and other woody plant maintenance operations. A300 covers ten topics including pruning, soil management, planting and transplanting, tree risk assessment, and integrated pest management. 

Professional memberships

Our participation in leading industry organizations reflects our commitment to professional standards and continual improvement.

  • American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA): Our consulting group includes registered members and is a Silver Sponsor of ASCA.

  • Society of Commercial Arboriculture: A membership organization dedicated to the professional development of owners, managers, sales staff, and field personnel engaged in commercial and residential arboriculture.

  • National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP): The national trade association representing specialists across the landscape industry.

Business ethics and accountability

We operate with transparency and accountability, from routine field safety audits to participation in the standards bodies that govern our profession. These practices give property owners and managers confidence that the company providing their residential or commercial tree care meets the highest professional standards.

FAQs

  • SavATree's approach to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reflects a belief that healthy landscapes, safe and skilled people, and sound business practices grow together. We follow environmentally sound field practices, invest in employee safety and development, and adhere to rigorous industry standards, giving our residential and commercial clients confidence that the company cares for their landscapes.

  • SavATree does not replant on your property when we remove a tree. Instead, when removal is the only responsible option, we donate to the Arbor Day Foundation to plant trees in U.S. reforestation projects that need restoration most. This commitment is built into our standard residential and commercial tree care at no added cost.

  • SavATree's teams hold some of the most respected arboriculture credentials. These include ISA Certified Arborists, ISA Board Certified Master Arborists, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified Arborists, TCIA Certified Treecare Safety Professionals, Registered Consulting Arborists, and Landscape Industry Certified Technicians. These certifications reflect our ongoing investment in the skilled professionals who care for your residential or commercial landscape.

  • SavATree reduces its environmental impact throughout daily operations. We have lowered fleet fuel consumption through no-idling policies, route optimization, and a transition to battery-operated equipment. We apply Lean Sigma principles to reduce waste, and we select science-based ingredients that meet EPA standards and, for our organic programs, the standards of the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI).

  • Yes, SavATree provides commercial tree care alongside residential services, delivered by ISA Certified Arborists and specialists trained in risk assessment, safety, and science-based care. We were the first multi-state tree care company in the U.S. to earn Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) accreditation, and we follow ANSI A300 standards on every commercial property we serve. Our For Every Tree reforestation commitment with the Arbor Day Foundation is also built into commercial tree removal at no added cost.

  • Yes, sustainability is built into how SavATree cares for trees and runs its operations. Preservation comes first, and when removal is the only responsible option, we partner with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant a tree in U.S. reforestation projects through our For Every Tree program. We select ingredients that meet EPA standards and, for our organic programs, Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) standards, and we reduce fleet fuel use and waste across our operations. As a TCIA-accredited company that follows ANSI A300 standards, we pair sustainable practices with rigorous professional accountability.