Who is Green Team?

Green Team is a locally owned and operated lawn, pest, and landscape company serving Grand Traverse and Leelanau County.

• The company is run by local owners Doug and Kelsey Bonnell.

• Green Team isn’t a franchise, it’s a family-run business that cares about the local area, community, and environment.

• Their service offerings cover a broad range: lawn care (fertilization, weed & grub control, aeration, seeding, organic options), pest control (mosquito, flea & tick, perimeter spray), and even robotic lawn mowers through an official Husqvarna Automower® dealership.

• The Green Team staff are state-certified applicators, licensed and insured, with annual training to keep their credentials up to date.

• They emphasize convenience and customer care, offering an online customer portal for scheduling services and payments, and a full-time administrative assistant to make sure calls and messages actually get answered promptly.

• They also provide environmentally conscious options from organic fertilization and weed control to emission-free robotic mowers.

In short: Green Team brings full-service lawn, pest, and landscape care with local, hands-on attention, flexibility, and a commitment to both quality and the environment.

Who is TruGreen?

TruGreen is a national lawn care and pest management company, in fact, the largest in the United States.

• Founded in 1973, TruGreen now serves millions of residential and commercial customers across North America, with hundreds of branches and thousands of associates.

• Their services include fertilization, weed control, pest and insect treatments, tree and shrub care, aeration and overseeding, and sometimes mosquito/irrigation services.

• TruGreen touts “science-based solutions,” with treatment plans developed by certified agronomists, and treatments tailored to regional conditions and lawn types.

In short: TruGreen leverages national-scale resources, standardized protocols, and science-backed programs to deliver lawn and pest care with broad coverage across many markets.

2. Customized, Flexible Plans vs. Standardized Lawn Care

• Green Team: Because they’re local and small, Green Team can be flexible. Their services are broad, from organic fertilizer to robotic mowers to pest control, and they can tailor a plan based on your lawn, your preferences, and your property’s unique needs.

• TruGreen: Their model centers on pre-defined plans (like TruSignature®) that include standard services. They start with a Healthy Lawn Analysis®, but many customers follow the same programs based on common lawn types and regional norms.

Takeaway: If you want a plan customized for your yard’s specific conditions, Green Team offers more flexibility and personalization.

3. Customer Service: Personal Touch vs. Corporate Model

• Green Team: Because it’s a small local company, there is a much higher chance that the people who answer the phone, schedule your service, and visit your property know the area — and genuinely care about their neighbors. They offer an online portal and administrative support for quick responses to questions or concerns.

• TruGreen: As a national company, their customer service tends to be more corporate, based on systems and protocols. While they offer guarantees and regular visits, your interactions may be with call centers or regional offices rather than local techs or owners.

Takeaway: If you prefer dealing with a company where “your lawn” means your neighbors, Green Team is more likely to provide that human touch.

7. Local Commitment and Environmental Awareness

• Green Team: Lives and works in the area, so they have a stake in the local environment. They offer organic options and emission-free robotic mowers.

• TruGreen: Uses regionally tailored, EPA-registered products and emphasizes science-based treatments.

Takeaway: If environmental impact and local knowledge matter to you, a local provider like Green Team may better understand the unique challenges of the area.

So … Which Should You Choose?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The right company depends on your priorities, property, and what you value most:

• If you want locally based, personalized service, someone who knows your soil, climate, and neighborhood, and offers flexibility, organic options, and future landscaping help, Green Team is a strong choice.

• If you prefer standard, pre-designed lawn care plans, the convenience of a big national brand, and don’t need extra services like mowing or landscaping, TruGreen may suit your needs.

Choosing the right lawn and pest care company doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s all about knowing what matters most to you and your property. Both Green Team and TruGreen offer professional services and science-backed approaches, but they operate very differently.

If you value personalized, locally rooted service, hands-on expertise, and the flexibility to customize your lawn and landscape exactly how you want it, Green Team offers a full-service, neighborly approach. Backed by their parent company TruNorth Landscaping, they can handle everything from lawn care and pest management to design-and-build projects like patios, firepits, and custom planting, giving you a single team to trust for your entire property.

At the end of the day, the best choice is the company that aligns with your goals, lifestyle, and vision for your outdoor space. For homeowners in Traverse City and Leelanau County who want reliable, attentive, and comprehensive care, Green Team provides a solution that’s local, flexible, and truly invested in your lawn and landscape.

Want to learn more about what Green Team has to offer? Get started by filling out our contact form.