Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
Tree work is the most dangerous trade on this list. Buy the climbing and rigging gear before the bigger saws, and keep everyone on the ground out of the drop zone.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Professional chainsaw | Felling and bucking | $480 (STIHL MS 271 Farm Boss chainsaw, 18 in, STIHL) |
| Top-handle saw for climbing | One-hand cuts in the tree, for trained climbers only | Varies by brand |
| Pole pruner | Limbs from the ground | $800 (STIHL HT 135 pole pruner, STIHL) |
| Climbing saddle, lanyard, rope and friction devices | Safe climbing | Varies by brand |
| Helmet with face shield and hearing protection, chaps and boots | Required PPE | Varies by brand |
| Rigging rope, blocks and slings | Lowering limbs under control | Varies by brand |
| Wedges, felling lever and an axe | Directing the fall | Varies by brand |
| Trailer or dump truck | Hauling brush and wood | Varies by brand |
Pro kit: what a busy shop adds
Add these when the calendar is full and the starter kit is slowing you down. Most tree services buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Large professional chainsaw | Big removals | $1,600 (STIHL MS 462 chainsaw, STIHL) |
| Chipper | Brush disposal on site | Varies by brand |
| Stump grinder | Add-on revenue on removals | Varies by brand |
| Port-a-wrap and rigging hardware | Heavy rigging | Varies by brand |
| Bucket truck or crane access | Removals that cannot be climbed safely | Varies by brand |
| Mini skid steer or log loader | Moving wood fast | Varies by brand |
Van stock: what you restock every week
Parts and supplies that let you finish on the first visit. Keep a short list on your phone and restock on the same day each week.
- Bar oil, fuel mix and spare chains. Daily.
- Files and a chain sharpener. Sharp saws are safer saws.
- Spare spark plugs and air filters. Field repairs.
- First aid kit with a tourniquet. Saw injuries.
- Cones and signs. Keeping people out of the work zone.
What a tree service kit costs
The 2 starter kit items we could price add up to $1,280 at the maker's listed price, out of 8 on the list. The rest vary too much by brand and size to give one honest number, so price them with your supplier.
The 1 pro kit items we could price add up to $1,600 at the maker's listed price, out of 6 on the list. The rest vary too much by brand and size to give one honest number, so price them with your supplier.
The chipper, stump grinder and truck swing the total most. Many new tree services rent the chipper and grinder by the day.
Prices are the ones shown on each maker's own site on the date in the sources. Dealers and sales change them, so treat them as a starting point.
Where to buy it
Most tree services buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our tree service suppliers list names the distributors and pro programs for this trade, and the Home Depot Pro vs Lowe's Pro page compares the two big-box programs row by row.
With Koira: the office side of the kit
The kit gets you to the job. Koira runs the rest: estimates with signing and deposits, invoices and card payments and your day plan, all on the free Office plan. Start with the tree service services list to set your prices.
Sources
- STIHL: STIHL MS 271 Farm Boss chainsaw, 18 in, checked October 9, 2026
- STIHL: STIHL HT 135 pole pruner, checked October 9, 2026
- STIHL: STIHL MS 462 chainsaw, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Insurance cost for tree services, checked October 9, 2026
- OSHA: Tree care, checked October 8, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.