Most first-year tree lot operators figure out the right order by trial and error. Here’s the order that avoids the most common scramble.
1. Find your lot
Shopping center corners, church parking lots, and vacant retail pads near high-traffic roads are the usual targets. Visibility from the road matters more than square footage for a lot this size.
2. Read the landlord’s requirements before you sign
Ask about insurance limits, additional insured status, and any restrictions (stakes in the ground, generator noise, hours) before you commit to the space, not after.
3. Line up your tree supplier
Whether you’re buying wholesale from a tree farm or running a cut-your-own operation on your own land changes both your supply chain and your insurance questions — cut-your-own is its own conditional question on the application.
4. Apply for insurance early
Landlords often want a certificate of insurance before handing over keys or a gate code. Applying two to three weeks before you need proof of coverage avoids a last-minute scramble.
5. Check local permits
Temporary business licenses, fire marshal sign-off for string lights and any heaters, and signage permits vary by town — more in the permits guide.
6. Set up utilities and lighting
Most lots need a generator or a temporary power hookup, string lighting for evening hours, and sometimes a propane heater setup for staff. Confirm what the landlord allows before you order equipment.
7. Plan your layout
Tree rows, a checkout area, a netting/baling station, and clear walking paths — leave enough width for a stroller or a wheelchair to move through comfortably.
8. Staff and train
Even a small lot usually needs two to three people at peak hours: sales, netting, and loading. If anyone drives a company vehicle for deliveries, note that on your application.
9. Open, and keep your paperwork on-site
Keep a copy of your certificate of insurance and lease on-site during operating hours. If a landlord or inspector asks, you want it in hand, not in an email you can’t access from the lot.