Saluting Branches
Saluting Branches is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that organizes an annual Day of Service in which volunteer arborists and corporate volunteers provide free professional tree care at U.S. veteran properties, including VA national cemeteries, medical centers, and clinics across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Mexico.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Saluting Branches does
Saluting Branches is a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that mobilizes volunteer tree care professionals and corporate volunteers to provide free arboriculture services at properties dedicated to U.S. veterans, including national cemeteries, medical centers, and clinics operated under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration. The organization's core offering is an annual Day of Service, held on the third Wednesday of September, in which ISA Certified Arborists, tree care companies, and corporate volunteer groups perform pruning, planting, and removal of dead or hazardous trees and branches across participating properties. Originally created by Rainbow Treecare in 2012 and formalized as a national event in 2015, Saluting Branches now operates across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Mexico, with the 12th Annual Day of Service scheduled for September 16, 2026.
The organization's work is delivered through a community-led, event-driven go-to-market model: volunteer arborists sign up in advance, receive training and safety instructions, and are coordinated on-site by site leaders using an internal portal. A complementary Tree Planting Initiative aims to plant 1,589 trees in remembrance of Vietnam War POWs and MIAs still unaccounted for, broadening participation to non-technical volunteers. The nonprofit is governed by a Board of Directors composed of certified arborists, utility vegetation management professionals, and U.S. military veterans, including senior executives from Davey Tree Expert Co., ACRT Services, Rainbow Treecare, and ProtecTerra LLC.
Saluting Branches is funded by tax-deductible corporate sponsorships and individual donations rather than fees. Sponsorship is structured as a tiered ladder (Oak $15,000+, Redwood $10,000-$14,999, Maple $7,500-$9,999, Pine $5,000-$7,499, Aspen $2,500-$4,999, Redbud $1,000-$2,499) with progressive benefits including website placement, social media recognition, email newsletter visibility, t-shirt branding, and on-site signage. Named 2026 sponsors include Asplundh (presenting), Rainbow Ecoscience, Oregon Cutting Systems, Vermeer, RDO Vermeer, Davey Tree, Pino Tree Service, Core Tree Care, Teufelberger, SavATree, Bandit Chippers, Wright Tree Service, and Monarch Landscape Holdings, with corporate volunteer participation from Target and UnitedHealth Group and additional support from Xcel Energy and ACRT Services.
Saluting Branches firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Saluting Branches
- Legal name
- Saluting Branches
- Website
- https://salutingbranches.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Saluting Branches is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that organizes an annual Day of Service in which volunteer arborists and corporate volunteers provide free professional tree care at U.S. veteran properties, including VA national cemeteries, medical centers, and clinics across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Mexico.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Saluting Branches industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Veteran Memorial Tree Care Services
- NAICS
- Landscaping Services (561730), Support Activities for Forestry (1153)
- SIC
- Forestry (800)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Tree Care & Arborist Services (IMAIAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Tree Care & Arborist Services (BPABADAD), Tree Planting & Transplanting (HSAIADAE)
Keywords
Where Saluting Branches is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Saluting Branches business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others
Revenue model
- Sponsorship: Tax-deductible charitable donations from corporate sponsors at multiple tier levels (Oak $15,000+, Redwood $10,000-$14,999, Maple $7,500-$9,999, Pine $5,000-$7,499, Aspen $2,500-$4,999, Redbud $1,000-$2,499). Sponsors receive website, social media, email newsletter, t-shirt, and on-site signage benefits.
- General Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individual donors supporting the organization's mission of honoring veterans through tree and landscape care.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Oak (Presenting Sponsor): $15,000+ |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Redwood Sponsor: $10,000 - $14,999 |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Maple Sponsor: $7,500 - $9,999 |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Pine Sponsor: $5,000 - $7,499 |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Aspen Sponsor: $2,500 - $4,999 |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Redbud Sponsor: $1,000 - $2,499 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Saluting Branches product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Saluting Branches is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that organizes an annual Day of Service in which volunteer arborists and tree care professionals donate professional tree care — pruning, planting, and removal of dead or hazardous trees and branches — at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs properties (national cemeteries, medical centers, clinics) across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Mexico. The organization is funded through tiered corporate sponsorships and individual donations, and supplements the Day of Service with a Tree Planting Initiative that commemorates unaccounted Vietnam War POWs and MIAs.
Product overview
Saluting Branches is a nonprofit organization offering a volunteer-based tree care service for veteran properties. The core product is the annual Day of Service (held each September), where arborists volunteer to prune, plant, and remove hazardous trees at national cemeteries, medical centers, and clinics. This core offering is supported by a Tree Planting Initiative that plants trees to honor unaccounted Vietnam War veterans, and a Sponsorship Program with multiple tiers that provides brand exposure for corporate sponsors. An internal Site Leader Portal enables event coordinators to manage volunteer activities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Day of Service Annual national day of service held each September where tree care professionals and corporate volunteers donate professional tree care — pruning, planting, and removal of dead or hazardous trees and branches — at veteran-dedicated properties including national cemeteries, medical centers, and clinics.
- Tree Planting Initiative Initiative to plant trees in remembrance of unaccounted Vietnam War POWs and MIAs, creating a lasting memorial legacy at veteran properties; 1,589 trees planted to date.
- Corporate Sponsorship Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 1,589 trees planted in remembrance of unaccounted Vietnam War POWs and MIAs
Companies that use Saluting Branches
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Saluting Branches technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Saluting Branches partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Rainbow TreecarecoreOriginal founding organization of Saluting Branches. Rainbow Treecare created the concept for Saluting Branches and continues to support the nonprofit through board involvement, volunteer coordination, and organizational development. Board member Paul Schoenike has been with Rainbow Companies for 18 years.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery AdministrationcoreFederal government partner overseeing national cemeteries where Saluting Branches events take place. Created in partnership with the VA to coordinate volunteer tree care services at veteran memorial properties.
- AsplundhflagshipOak-level presenting sponsor of Saluting Branches 2026. Major supporter of the annual day of service.
- Rainbow EcosciencecoreRedwood-level sponsor providing support for Saluting Branches events.
- Oregon Cutting SystemscoreRedwood-level sponsor supporting Saluting Branches.
- VermeercoreRedwood-level sponsor and supporter of Saluting Branches. RDO Vermeer also listed as a separate Redwood sponsor.
- RDO VermeercoreRedwood-level sponsor supporting Saluting Branches.
- Davey TreecoreRedwood-level sponsor. The Davey Tree Expert Co. employs board member Renee Bissett as Senior Manager of Strategic Communications.
- Pino Tree ServicecoreRedwood-level sponsor supporting Saluting Branches.
- Core Tree CarecoreRedwood-level sponsor supporting Saluting Branches.
- TeufelbergerminorMaple-level sponsor supporting Saluting Branches.
- SAVATREE, LLCminorMaple-level sponsor supporting Saluting Branches.
- Bandit ChippersminorPine-level sponsor supporting Saluting Branches.
- Wright Tree ServiceminorPine-level sponsor supporting Saluting Branches.
- Monarch Landscape Holdings, LLCminorPine-level sponsor supporting Saluting Branches.
- Xcel EnergyminorRedbud-level sponsor supporting Saluting Branches.
- ACRT ServicesminorAspen-level sponsor. Board member Sam Hickey works as Content Manager at ACRT Services.
- TargetminorCorporate volunteer partner that sent dozens of volunteers to assist at Saluting Branches sites.
- UnitedHealth GroupminorCorporate volunteer partner that sent dozens of volunteers to assist at Saluting Branches sites.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Saluting Branches competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Arbor Day Foundation: Large-scale national tree planting and conservation nonprofit. Comparable as a tree-focused nonprofit that mobilizes volunteers and corporate sponsors for tree planting initiatives, though broader in scope than Saluting Branches' veteran-specific mission.
Direct peers
- The Mission Continues: Nonprofit that engages veterans in volunteer service and leadership development. Comparable as a veteran-focused service organization dependent on multi-tier corporate sponsorship and volunteer mobilization, though focused on broader community impact rather than tree care specifically.
- Team Red, White & Blue: Veteran service organization connecting veterans to their communities through physical and social activities. Comparable mission overlap and similar reliance on volunteer chapters and corporate sponsorships for annual programming.
- Team Rubicon: Veteran-led nonprofit that mobilizes military veterans to serve communities through disaster response and service projects. Directly comparable as a volunteer-driven veteran service organization relying on annual activations and corporate sponsorships.
- Hire Heroes USA: Veteran-focused nonprofit providing employment transition support. Comparable as a 501(c)(3) serving U.S. veterans through structured programming with corporate partner support, though different in service category.
- Trees for Troops: Christmas Spirit Foundation program that delivers real Christmas trees to U.S. military families and bases. Directly comparable as a tree-related nonprofit serving the U.S. military/veteran community through annual seasonal volunteer activations.
Others
- Davey Tree Expert Co. Major U.S. tree care company and current Redwood-tier sponsor of Saluting Branches. Comparable as a commercial arboriculture provider in the same value chain, though operating as a for-profit enterprise rather than a nonprofit mission vehicle.
- Asplundh: Largest U.S. utility vegetation management and tree care company and current Oak presenting sponsor of Saluting Branches. Comparable as a participant in the same arboriculture ecosystem and the anchor sponsor relationship for the Day of Service.
- Rainbow Treecare: Minnesota-based tree care company that founded Saluting Branches in 2012 and continues to provide board leadership and operational support. Comparable as the founding organization and a key volunteer/board pipeline for Saluting Branches events.
Regional players
- Trees Atlanta: Regional urban tree planting and conservation nonprofit. Comparable as a tree planting nonprofit reliant on volunteer labor and corporate sponsorships, but geographically concentrated in metropolitan Atlanta rather than operating at national scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Saluting Branches social profiles
Digital presenceSaluting Branches compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Saluting Branches financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Saluting Branches leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Saluting Branches funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Saluting Branches M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Saluting Branches
What does Saluting Branches do?
Saluting Branches is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that organizes an annual Day of Service in which volunteer arborists and tree care professionals donate professional tree care — pruning, planting, and removal of dead or hazardous trees and branches — at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs properties (national cemeteries, medical centers, clinics) across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Mexico. The organization is funded through tiered corporate sponsorships and individual donations, and supplements the Day of Service with a Tree Planting Initiative that commemorates unaccounted Vietnam War POWs and MIAs.
Is Saluting Branches a public or private company?
Saluting Branches is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Saluting Branches founded?
Saluting Branches was founded in 2015. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Saluting Branches based?
Saluting Branches is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Saluting Branches make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Sponsorship is the primary driver. The others are general Donations.
Who are Saluting Branches's main competitors?
Arbor Day Foundation is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are The Mission Continues, Team Red, White & Blue, Team Rubicon, Hire Heroes USA and Trees for Troops. Others are Davey Tree Expert Co., Asplundh and Rainbow Treecare. Trees Atlanta is listed as a regional player.
Does Saluting Branches have an API?
No public API is recorded for Saluting Branches.
What industry is Saluting Branches in?
Saluting Branches's product category is Nonprofit Veteran Memorial Tree Care Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAIAIAB, Tree Care & Arborist Services, with a secondary code of BPABADAD, Tree Care & Arborist Services. Its NAICS code is 561730 and its SIC code is 800.