Dave Leonard Tree Specialists

What Dave Leonard Tree Specialists does

Dave Leonard Tree Specialists is a professional tree care services company headquartered in Versailles, Kentucky, founded in 1974 by Dave Leonard. The firm provides a full suite of arboricultural services across Central Kentucky — including the Lexington, Frankfort, Georgetown, and Louisville metros — encompassing pruning, removal, planting, preservation, fertilization, Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) treatment, tree risk assessments, and consulting. The company employs 11–50 staff, including two ISA Board Certified Master Arborists (BCMA), a credential held by less than 2% of arborists, and operates specialized equipment such as a 65.5 metric ton crane with a 120-foot boom and a Supersonic Air Knife (AirSpade) for root collar excavation and soil aeration.

The business model is service-based and project-driven, with revenue generated through one-time jobs (removals, plantings) and recurring maintenance work. The firm has institutionalized recurring revenue through tiered annual care programs offering 5, 7, or 8 treatments per year (Target Tree Care, Plant Health Care, and Tree Health Care), and has launched the Smart Tree Establishment Program (S.T.E.P.) for newly planted trees. Pricing is quoted per project and per program; subscription-style programs create predictable cash flow and stickier customer relationships.

In September 2025, Dave Leonard Tree Specialists was acquired by TreeServe, LLC, a private equity-backed platform consolidating regional tree care operators, extending the combined platform's geographic footprint to six states. Following the acquisition, the company operates within TreeServe's roll-up strategy while retaining its local brand, founder involvement, and operational autonomy. Founder Dave Leonard serves on the ISA Board of Directors and is a past President of the Kentucky Society of Arborists, reinforcing the firm's standing within the professional arboriculture community.

Name

Dave Leonard Tree Specialists

Legal name

Dave Leonard Tree Specialists

Website

https://dlarborist.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dave Leonard Tree Specialists is a Versailles, Kentucky-based professional tree care company founded in 1974, providing pruning, removal, planting, preservation, and plant-health-care services to residential and commercial clients across Central Kentucky. Acquired by TreeServe, LLC in September 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arboriculture and Tree Care Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (11531)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Tree Health Care (Diagnosis, Treatment, Fertilization) (HSAIADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tree Pruning & Crown Management (HSAIADAA), Tree Removal & Dismantling (HSAIADAB), Tree Planting & Transplanting (HSAIADAE), Arborist Consulting, Tree Risk Assessments & Appraisals (HSAIADAJ), Cabling, Bracing & Structural Support (HSAIADAF), Tree Preservation & Construction Site Tree Protection (HSAIADAL)

Keywords

• Tree care services
• Arborist services
• Tree removal
• Tree pruning
• Plant health care

Headquarters

HQ city

Versailles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tree Care Services: Custom-priced tree care services including pruning, removal, planting, and preservation. All tree removal work is quoted in a detailed proposal that is immediately emailed or texted to the client. Pricing varies based on on-site evaluation of tree size, location, and complexity.
2. Annual Tree Care Programs: Recurring annual maintenance contracts with seasonal treatment programs (5-8 treatments per year) for tree and shrub care including pest management, fertilization, and disease control.
3. Smart Tree Establishment Program (S.T.E.P.): Full-service annual maintenance package for newly planted trees including prescription fertilization, preventative insect treatment, mulch ring maintenance, and monitoring with 1-year guarantee.
4. Emerald Ash Borer Treatment: Professional treatment services for ash tree protection with 2-year re-application intervals for trees with diameters greater than 10 inches.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Dave Leonard Tree Specialists is a Central Kentucky arboriculture services company providing professional tree care including trimming, pruning, removal, planting, preservation, deep root fertilization, and insect/disease management. The company delivers services through ISA Certified Arborists performing on-site consultations and work, supplemented by tiered annual maintenance programs and specialized treatments such as Emerald Ash Borer protection.

Product overview

Dave Leonard Tree Specialists is a tree care services company offering a comprehensive suite of arboricultural services centered around tree health care, maintenance, and removal. The core service portfolio includes Tree Trimming and Pruning, Emerald Ash Borer Treatment, Tree Removal (including crane-assisted removal), Tree Planting, Tree Preservation, Deep Root Fertilization, and Soil and Root Improvement. The company offers structured annual Tree and Shrub Care Programs in three tiers (Good, Better, Best), and add-on services such as the Smart Tree Establishment Program (S.T.E.P.) for new plantings, Lightning Protection, Tree Cabling and Bracing, and Development and Construction Planning. Services are delivered by ISA Certified Arborists throughout Central Kentucky, with specialization in organic and sustainable practices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tree Trimming and Pruning Targeted removal of problematic branches to improve tree health, appearance, and safety, including crown cleaning, clearance pruning, and structural pruning. For residential and commercial property owners in Central Kentucky.
• Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Professional treatment to protect ash trees from Emerald Ash Borer damage using professional-grade products applied at 2-year intervals for trees with diameters greater than 10 inches. For homeowners and property managers.
• Tree Removal Safe removal of dead, dying, storm-damaged, or diseased trees using manual climbing arborists, bucket trucks, aerial lifts, or crane-assisted removal, with optional stump removal. For residential, commercial, and municipal clients.
• Tree Planting Complete tree planting service including on-site nursery with balled and burlapped trees, site consultation, species selection, and proper planting techniques using Supersonic Air Knife for soil aeration. For homeowners and developers.
• Tree Preservation Services to protect and extend the life of existing trees including development and construction planning, lightning protection systems, and tree cabling and bracing for structural support. For property owners, developers, and historic tree stewards.
• Deep Root Fertilization Liquid organic fertilizer injected directly into the root zone, formulated for Lexington and Central Kentucky soils to stimulate fibrous rooting and improve tree vigor. For residential and commercial clients.
• Soil and Root Improvement Comprehensive soil health services including root collar excavation, soil decompaction, vertical mulching, and root zone enhancement using Supersonic Air Knife technology. For homeowners and landscape managers.
• Tree and Shrub Care Programs Three-tiered annual care programs: Good (Seasonal Protection, 5 treatments/year), Better (Preventative Protection, 7 treatments/year), and Best (Complete Year-Round Protection, 8 treatments/year) including pest management, fertilization, and disease control. For residential and commercial clients.
• Smart Tree Establishment Program (S.T.E.P.) Full-service annual maintenance package for newly planted trees including prescription fertilization, preventative insect treatment, mulch ring maintenance, ISA Certified Arborist monitoring, and a 1-year guarantee. For homeowners with new plantings.
• Municipal and Commercial Tree Services Comprehensive commercial tree care including ISA Certified Arborists, consulting and risk management, organic lawn care, plant health care, stump removal, emergency tree service, pruning, removal, insect and disease control, construction planning, tree inventory, and electric distribution line clearance. For municipalities, businesses, and commercial properties.
• Insect and Disease Pest Management Diagnosis and treatment services for common Central Kentucky tree pests and diseases including Ganoderma Root Rot, Bacterial Leaf Scorch, Rhizosphaera Needle Cast, Anthracnose, Dutch Elm Disease, Verticillium Wilt, and various insect pests. For residential and commercial clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• One of the youngest Board Certified Master Arborists in ISA history (Ross Raterman, 2017)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The Davey Tree Expert Company: Largest employee-owned tree care company in North America, offering pruning, removal, plant health care, and consulting across the U.S. and Canada. Directly comparable service portfolio (arborist-led tree care, plant health care subscriptions, crane-assisted removals) and overlapping municipal/commercial segments.
• Bartlett Tree Experts: Major U.S. tree care firm with regional offices, ISA-certified arborists, plant health care subscriptions, and full-spectrum removal/pruning services. Closely mirrors Dave Leonard's ISA-credentialed, science-driven service model and recurring treatment programs.
• SavATree: National tree, shrub, and lawn care company with a strong subscription-oriented plant health care program and ISA-certified arborist workforce. Operates a multi-state footprint through organic growth and acquisitions - directly comparable to TreeServe's rollup strategy.
• Asplundh Tree Expert Company: Dominant utility vegetation management and tree care contractor with national scale. Comparable in crane-equipped, large-tree removal capability and municipal/utility service revenue mix, though more weighted to utility line clearance than residential.
• Wright Tree Service: Family-owned tree care and utility vegetation management company serving investor-owned utilities, municipalities, and residential customers across the Midwest and South. Comparable in crane-assisted removal, ISA-certified staff, and mixed utility/commercial/residential revenue mix.
• Lewis Tree Service: Large-scale utility vegetation management and tree care provider with operations across multiple U.S. regions. Comparable on municipal and utility-side tree work, equipment scale, and multi-state geographic reach through acquisitions.

Direct peers

• Rainbow Tree Care Scientific Arborists: Midwest-based tree care firm focused on plant health care subscriptions, Emerald Ash Borer treatment programs, and soil/root improvement services. Closely mirrors Dave Leonard's subscription model, organic treatment philosophy, and EAB-centric value proposition in a regional setting.
• City Floral / Greenwood Tree Care: Comparable-sized regional tree care operator with ISA-certified arborists and full removal/pruning/plant health offerings. Similar in company size (small business scale), service mix, and family/founder-led culture prior to any rollup activity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Dave-Leonard-Tree-Specialists
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dave-leonard-tree-specialists

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dave Leonard Tree Specialists