The Reality of Tree Care Injury Risk
Tree care consistently ranks among the most dangerous occupations in the United States. Chainsaw injuries, falls from height, struck-by incidents from falling wood, and equipment accidents are all part of the occupational landscape. The Bureau of Labor Statistics regularly places tree trimming and logging among industries with the highest rates of fatal and nonfatal injuries.
For business owners, a serious employee injury without adequate workers' compensation coverage can mean paying all medical bills out-of-pocket, facing a direct lawsuit from the injured employee, and losing the employee's productivity during recovery — all at once.
Workers' compensation solves this by providing a structured benefit system: the employee receives defined benefits, and in most states, those benefits are the exclusive remedy — meaning the employee cannot also file a civil lawsuit against the employer for a work-related injury. That protection alone makes workers' comp one of the most valuable policies a tree care business can carry.
Class Code 0106: What It Means for Your Premium
Insurance carriers and state rating bureaus classify workers' compensation risk by occupation code. Tree service contractors are typically rated under NCCI class code 0106, which covers tree pruning, trimming, and spraying operations.
This class code reflects the elevated injury rates in tree care relative to other outdoor trades. The base rate for 0106 is higher than codes used for landscaping or general contracting — which is why finding a carrier that specializes in tree care matters. Carriers with deep experience in the class can offer more accurate pricing and better loss control support than generalist carriers trying to fit your business into the wrong bucket.
Your actual premium is calculated by multiplying your payroll (per $100) by the class rate, then adjusting for your experience modification factor — a multiplier based on your three-year loss history compared to average businesses in the same class. Maintaining a favorable experience mod through safety programs and proactive claims management is the most effective way to control your workers' comp costs over time.
State Requirements
Workers' compensation is regulated at the state level, and requirements vary. Most states require any employer with at least one employee to carry coverage. Some states allow sole proprietors and partners to exclude themselves from coverage, which can reduce premium costs for small operations. A handful of states operate monopolistic workers' comp systems, meaning coverage must be purchased from the state fund rather than a private carrier.
TreeGuard is licensed in 48 states and works with carriers offering workers' comp across that footprint. We'll help you navigate your state's specific requirements and identify any exclusion options available to you.