You in the tree service part of the industry aren't the only ones who have to deal with companies of lesser standards. If you think working in trees is bad, try landscaping!
EVERYONE who knows what a petunia is or who has ever cut grass for their nieghbor is a landscaper, just ask them!
Red mulch looks good! (Yeah, right) Lollipopped shrubs are natural. (Once again, yeah, right) It's common sense that grass can't grow with
ANY rocks in the soil.... Why isn't my grass as green and full as my neighbors who had thier's planted the same day? (even though it's been explained several times that theirs was a different mix [100% rye] that germinates faster than yours [80/20 bluegrass/rye] and will last longer. Not to mention that theirs was watered every night and hit with a high N fertilizer! Aarrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggghhhhhh!!!!!)
These are just a SMALL sampling of the things I have heard in the last few years.... I'm sure you all have heard your share too.... There IS a difference between landscaping and gardening. DON'T call me a gardener, unless I'm picking d*mn tomatoes from my garden (which I don't currently have)!
There's a guy here in the county who advertises that he is "fast, cheap and reliable". The cheap part is what gets me. His attitude matches it, according to him (this is a direct quote), "I don't care as long as I get my money".....
I think I can say that I probably have to put up with more fly-by-night people in the landscaping end than you do, especially since both feet can be kept firmly on the ground (or at least within 2-3 feet of it
) 99.9% of the time.
Oh, and the worst is when you have someone who has been "gardening" for herself for 30 years (no other education other than self taught and advice from friends) who constantly disgagrees with you and your bosses over things, arguing common sense instead of science. Even though the 3 of you have over 30 years combined experience and 14 years of college education!
It's easier to educate someone on trees. Most are unknowing when it comes to them. You can explain why topping is bad, you can explain why removing limbs over the house makes no sense, etc, etc. But if they know what a petunia is, and you want to plant a shrub or two, watch out, you're in for a ride!
Dan
a little less, all your bridges won't be burnt behind you.
