Do I need insurance for tree planting services?

Tree planting may seem like a lower-risk activity compared to tree removal or trimming, but it carries its own distinct set of liabilities that require proper insurance coverage. Any tree service that offers planting as part of its services — whether standalone or bundled with removal and maintenance — needs to ensure its policy addresses planting-specific exposures.

The most immediate risk during planting operations is striking underground utilities. Even with 811 locates, damage to gas lines, fiber optic cables, irrigation systems, and electrical conduits occurs regularly during excavation for root balls. A severed gas line can result in evacuations, emergency response costs, and property damage claims that easily reach six figures. Your general liability policy covers third-party property damage from planting operations, but you should verify that your policy does not contain an underground utility exclusion, which some carriers add to tree service policies.

Professional liability exposure arises when your company advises clients on species selection, placement, or site suitability. If you recommend a tree species that proves invasive and damages a foundation, or plant a large-canopy species too close to a structure, the resulting damage claim involves professional negligence — an allegation that your expert advice was faulty. General liability policies exclude professional services, so arborists who provide consulting or design services should carry professional liability (E&O) coverage. ISA Certified Arborists have a particular duty of care that elevates this exposure.

Completed operations coverage is especially relevant for tree planting. Unlike tree removal — where the work is done and the hazard is either created or avoided immediately — planted trees create risks that develop over years. Root systems can heave sidewalks, crack foundations, invade sewer lines, or create trip hazards. A tree planted in 2026 might not cause visible damage until 2030. Your completed operations coverage responds to claims arising from your completed work, and the statute of repose in most states extends this exposure window to six to ten years after project completion.

Workers' compensation coverage for planting crews is the same as for any tree service operation. While planting is less dangerous than climbing and cutting, it still involves heavy lifting, equipment operation (skid steers, augers, trucks), and repetitive motion injuries. NCCI class code 0106 typically covers all tree care operations including planting.

Make sure your general liability policy's description of operations includes tree planting, and discuss planting-specific exposures with your broker to confirm that no exclusions limit your coverage for this work.