Social media for tree surgeons and arborists: a practical guide

Tree work makes naturally gripping video: climbing, rigging, a big limb lowered safely. That gives you reach on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. But most paying jobs still come from local searches and recommendations, so your Google Business Profile and Facebook page matter just as much.

Film the setup and the finish on every job, not just the dramatic cut. The planning is what persuades people you are safe to let near their house.

• Monday: a before-and-after, such as a crown reduction from the same angle.
• Tuesday: a tree care explainer, such as the difference between pruning and topping.
• Wednesday: a climbing or rigging clip, with the safety setup visible.
• Thursday: a review, shared with permission.
• Friday: the kit and team, such as the chipper, the climbers and the ground crew.
• Seasonal: storm damage advice, winter pruning, and spring checks for nesting birds.

England: GOV.UK planning guidance says cutting down, topping, lopping, uprooting, wilful damage or wilful destruction of a tree protected by a Tree Preservation Order needs the local authority's written consent. For trees in a conservation area that are not protected by an Order, you must give the authority six weeks' notice before most work, unless the tree's diameter is no more than 75 millimetres measured 1.5 metres above the ground.

The same guidance says that in the magistrates' court the most serious offences can mean a fine of up to £20,000, and that in the Crown Court the fine is unlimited. A post that says "we check for TPOs and conservation areas before every job" reassures customers and shows you know the rules. Other parts of the UK have their own rules, so check locally.

This is general information, not legal or safety advice. Rules differ by country, state and council and they change, so check with the regulator, your trade body or a lawyer before you rely on them.

Source: GOV.UK planning guidance: Tree Preservation Orders and trees in conservation areas, checked 15 October 2026

In England and Wales, section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it an offence to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while that nest is in use or being built. The Scottish version also covers interfering with a nest and acting recklessly.

Spring is when customers want hedges and trees cut back, so it is a good time to post how you check for nests before you start and what happens if you find one. Never post a photo of a nest you have disturbed.

Source: legislation.gov.uk: Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, section 1, checked 15 October 2026

UK: HSE's tree work guidance says all workers must be adequately trained and competent to carry out their job safely, and recommends refresher training at intervals for high-risk activities such as operating chainsaws. Show helmets, eye and ear protection, chainsaw trousers and boots in every clip. A video without them will be noticed by other arborists and by customers.

US: the International Society of Arboriculture says its Certified Arborist credential is accredited to the ISO 17024 standard for certification bodies, and that holders must follow the ISA Code of Ethics. Only use the title or logo if you hold the credential. In the UK, the same applies to trade association logos: the ASA has ruled that a firm must not imply membership of a body by showing its logo without documentary evidence.

Drones: in the UK, the CAA says you need a Flyer ID and an Operator ID for a drone from 250g up to 25kg, and for a drone from 100g up to 250g that has a camera. Ask the customer first and keep neighbours' gardens out of shot.

Sources: HSE: Tree work, training, checked 15 October 2026; International Society of Arboriculture: ISA Certified Arborist, checked 15 October 2026; ASA ruling on Hanson Roofing and Building Ltd (30 October 2019), checked 15 October 2026; UK CAA: Registering to fly drones and model aircraft, checked 15 October 2026

Ask every customer for a review the same way when the site is cleared. Google bans incentives for reviews and selectively asking happy customers, the FTC's 2024 rule bans fake reviews and rewards for reviews with a particular sentiment, and the CMA names reviews that hide an incentive as a banned practice.

Disclosure: this guide is published by Zolyp, an AI social media manager. Zolyp plans a calendar around your content pillars, writes and designs each post, and schedules it to Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Business, X, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, and Threads. You start in review-everything mode, so nothing goes live without your approval. You can add your own photos or pull from your brand gallery, so posts show your real work rather than stock images. Everything in this guide works just as well done by hand.

• Week 1: pick the best job of the month you have permission to share.
• Week 2: post a before-and-after and a tree care explainer.
• Week 3: post a safety or kit post and a review.
• Week 4: plan seasonal posts, such as storm advice or nesting season checks.

Sources: Google Maps user-generated content policy: fake engagement, checked 15 October 2026; FTC: Federal Trade Commission announces final rule banning fake reviews and testimonials (14 August 2024), checked 15 October 2026; CMA: Short guide for businesses publishing consumer reviews and complying with consumer protection law, checked 15 October 2026