A tree that was pruned three years ago is due, but the owner forgot and you didn't remind them.
Tree service play · Past customer reactivation
Tree service past customers, brought back on the right pruning cycle.
Trees need attention every few years, and your past customers already trust you. Spur takes your list, tracks when each tree was last worked, writes a friendly check-in with a referral ask, mails it, and flags who scans.
Free forever plan · No card · 20 property searches a month
USPSFirst-Class
Helen Marchetti2218 Chadbourne AveMadison, WI 53726Scan to book a follow-up visit or share our name
Helen M. scanned your check-in card · 4 min ago
AI-written for this owner · Mailed in 2 days
2–3 yrstypical interval between pruning visits for mature trees
Your listupload customers and old estimates
Referral askbuilt into every card
The problem
After the job, most tree companies never contact the customer again.
Dozens of homeowners asked for an assessment, hesitated, and never heard from you again.
Happy customers rarely refer unprompted, and a polite ask is the cheapest marketing there is.
How it works
From list to mailbox in one workflow.
Five steps from an old job list to booked pruning cycles and referrals.
app.usespur.com
See it in Spur
A pruning-cycle list in Spur
Sample Madison past customers last visited three years ago, plus unsigned estimates from last fall. Names are partly masked.
Your listLast visit 30–36 months ago or estimated 9–12 months agoOwner-occupiedMail date: Jan 20
- Helen M.2218 Chadbourne AveMaple pruning · 2022Customer · 34 months
- Joe & Ellen K.1904 Vilas AveOak deadwooding · 2022Customer · 33 months
- Pru S.3010 Monroe StEstimate $2,400 · 2024Unsigned estimate
- Marv & Tess B.2815 Sheridan DrEstimate $1,600 · 2024Unsigned estimate
- Lin W.4121 Mineral Point RdRemoval · 2023Customer · 24 months
AI draft for Helen M. · 2218 Chadbourne Ave
Hi Helen,
It's been about three years since we pruned your maples. Most mature trees do best with a light pruning every two to three years, so I wanted to check in.
Scan the code and we'll take another look for free. And if a friend or neighbor ever needs an arborist, I'd be grateful if you passed my name along.
Gus Thorsen · Old Oak Arborists · (608) 555-0142
Sample data for illustration. Your results depend on your market and filters.
Playbook
Why past tree customers are worth a second look
A tree company's best prospects already know it. Past customers trust the work, and owners who asked for assessments were interested enough to let an arborist onto their property. Neither group costs much to reach, yet most companies mail neither.
Pruning is a cycle. Young trees may need attention every year or two, mature trees every three to five, and storm-damaged or stressed trees sooner. A reminder keyed to the last visit gives you a reason to contact each customer at the right time, and it positions you as a long-term caretaker rather than a one-time vendor.
Old estimates are worth reviving. Owners often hesitate because of budget or timing, and those situations change. A card with refreshed pricing and an open date in the dormant season catches them at the right moment. Many removals that were deferred become emergencies after a storm, so an early follow-up helps the owner too.
Referrals compound. One sentence asking for an introduction produces warm leads that close at a high rate, because the recommendation comes from someone the buyer trusts. Skip large rewards, which are restricted in some states.
Keep records clean. Include only customers who have not opted out, honor unsubscribe requests, and verify job dates. A reactivation list is a relationship, and mailing someone who asked to be left alone does more harm than any card can repair.
13×+return on a year of Spur Team from reactivation and referrals
Cheap to mail, and the warmest leads you have.
- Spur Team: $49/mo billed annually = $588/yr
- 400 reactivation cards on Team at $0.94 each = $376
- 4 pruning jobs and 2 referrals (~$1,800 each) ≈ $10,800
Example math. Response and job size vary. Run your own numbers →
One tool, not four
Spur vs. the usual follow-up
What you needThe usual waySpur
Mailed on each customer's pruning cycleNo follow-up at all✓ Built in
Old estimates re-mailed with fresh pricingForgotten in a folder✓ Built in
Referral ask on every cardHope for referrals✓ Built in
Scan alerts show who's interestedNo idea who engaged✓ Built in
Opt-outs honored automaticallyManual list cleanup✓ Built in
Past Customer Reactivation by the numbers
Why a pruning cycle is a built-in reason to call
2–3 yrs
is a common interval between pruning visits for mature residential trees
ANSI A300
pruning standards recommend planned, regular care over reactive cutting
13×+
return on a year of Spur Team from reactivation and referrals
FAQ
Past customer tree marketing questions
How do I get repeat tree service customers?
Mail past customers a check-in on a two- to three-year pruning cycle, naming what you did last time, with a referral ask.
How do I revive old tree estimates?
Mail unsigned estimates a no-pressure card with refreshed pricing and an open date, ideally in the dormant season.
What do I need to upload?
Names, addresses, and job or estimate dates. Add the job type and amount to personalize each card.
Is a referral ask okay on the card?
Yes. One polite sentence is fine and effective. Skip large rewards, which may be restricted in some states.
Keep exploring
Related plays and guides
Start in minutes. No card required.
Your next pruning job already has your number.
Upload your list, mail the check-in, and ask for the introduction. Free to start.
Reactivate my past customers — freeFree forever plan · No card · 20 property searches a month
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