When a storm is forecast, every tree company is booked solid and prices rise.
Tree service play · Pre-storm pruning
Pre-storm tree pruning leads, mailed before the wind arrives.
The best time to prune a hazard limb is before it falls. Spur finds homes with large trees near roofs and drives, writes a calm card about storm-season risk, and mails it a few weeks ahead, with a QR code to book a free assessment.
Free forever plan · No card · 20 property searches a month
USPSFirst-Class
Frank Aldridge412 Live Oak DrWilmington, NC 28403Scan to book a free hazard-limb check
Frank A. scanned your pre-storm card · 2 min ago
AI-written for this owner · Mailed in 2 days
June 1start of the Atlantic hurricane season
4–6 weeksbefore the season is when cards should land
Hazard limbsover roofs, drives, and power lines
The problem
Owners worry about storms only when one is on the radar.
A fallen limb can mean an insurance claim, a damaged roof, and a long wait for a crew.
Uninsured crews arrive after the storm, and owners with no existing relationship pick the first one who shows up.
How it works
From list to mailbox in one workflow.
Five steps from a storm forecast to a booked pruning visit.
app.usespur.com
See it in Spur
A pre-storm list in Spur
Sample Wilmington homes built 1950–1985 on lots over 0.3 acres within the hurricane zone. Names are partly masked.
Zip 28403Built 1950–1985Lot 0.3+ acOwner-occupiedMail date: Apr 15
- Frank A.412 Live Oak DrBuilt 1968 · 0.4 acOwned 21 yrs
- Joyce & Hank P.508 Live Oak DrBuilt 1971 · 0.45 acOwned 29 yrs
- Elena R.2210 Oleander DrBuilt 1959 · 0.5 acOwner 74
- Cal & Jess W.1814 Pine Grove DrBuilt 1975 · 0.35 acOwned 8 yrs
- Barb T.3002 Wrightsville AveBuilt 1963 · 0.6 acOwned 24 yrs
AI draft for Frank A. · 412 Live Oak Dr
Hi Frank,
Hurricane season starts June 1, and large limbs over the house and driveway are among the first things to fail in high wind.
Our ISA-certified arborist will look at your trees for free and prune only what needs it. If everything is sound, we'll tell you so.
Spots fill by May. Scan the code to book your check.
Hollis Grant · Coastal Canopy Care · (910) 555-0127
Sample data for illustration. Your results depend on your market and filters.
Playbook
How to approach pre-storm tree marketing responsibly
Wind does its worst damage to trees with weak structure: co-dominant stems, included bark, decay at the base, or heavy limbs over long spans. A pre-storm assessment identifies those defects while there is still time to correct them. That biology is the honest reason to reach out early, and it is why the card should lean on practical advice rather than fear.
Time the mail to the region. In the Southeast, hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and the best pruning window is spring. In the Midwest, ice and derecho risk peaks in late winter and summer. In the Northeast, nor'easters and heavy wet snow arrive in fall and winter. Match the card to your market's risk.
Prune lightly and correctly. Good pre-storm work removes dead wood, reduces end weight on long limbs, and improves structure. It does not remove half the canopy or top the tree, which weakens it. A card that says 'we prune for strength, not for show' separates you from storm chasers.
Offer an assessment, and be willing to say a tree is sound. That honesty is the strongest sales tool you have. Owners who hear 'this one is fine' from a certified arborist trust the next recommendation.
Build capacity into the campaign. If the mailing succeeds, you may book weeks of work in a short time. Plan crews, equipment, and chip disposal in advance, and set a booking cutoff date so you don't promise what you can't deliver.
10×+return on a year of Spur Team from a pre-season campaign
Scheduled pre-season work is more profitable than emergencies.
- Spur Team: $49/mo billed annually = $588/yr
- 1,200 cards on Team at $0.94 each = $1,128
- 6 pruning jobs (~$1,600 each) plus 2 removals (~$2,800) ≈ $15,000
Example math. Response, close rate, and job size vary. Run your own numbers →
One tool, not four
Spur vs. waiting for the storm
What you needThe usual waySpur
Mailed before the season startsChase storm damage after it happens✓ Built in
Targets large trees near homesBlanket EDDM✓ Built in
Honest assessment, prune what's neededAggressive removal pitch✓ Built in
Scan alerts, priority schedulingMissed calls in the rush✓ Built in
Mailed in 2 daysWeeks with a print vendor✓ Built in
Pre-Storm Pruning by the numbers
Why pre-season pruning matters
June 1
is the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs through November 30
ANSI A300
is the industry standard for pruning, which excludes tree topping
10×+
return on a year of Spur Team from a pre-season campaign
FAQ
Pre-storm pruning lead questions
When should I mail pre-storm pruning cards?
Four to six weeks before your region's storm season, such as April for hurricane markets or early fall for ice and snow.
How do I find homes with risky trees?
Filter for lots over 0.3 acres and homes built before 1985 in your storm zone. Spur combines both signals.
Should I offer free assessments?
Yes. A free assessment from a certified arborist builds trust and often leads to pruning jobs.
How do I avoid sounding like a storm chaser?
Lead with certification, insurance, and honest recommendations, and mail before the storm, not after.
Keep exploring
Related plays and guides
Start in minutes. No card required.
Prune before the wind, not after it.
Map the risky trees, mail a calm pre-storm card, and fill your calendar early. Free to start.
Mail pre-storm pruning cards — freeFree forever plan · No card · 20 property searches a month
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