I get to top a tree...

[pdqdl]

I got a call today from a customer that wants his tree topped. I mentioned to him (over the phone) that topping isn't too good for a tree, and his response was "So what! It's my tree!".

Needless to say, I ain't gonna try too hard to talk myself out of a job. My bid ticket reads: "Two trees in front yard. Remove the smaller, leave a 2'- 3' stump with a level top. The bigger tree needs crown reduction, topping is desired by customer."

I know some of you guys would pass on this, but I'm not. Just because the customer calls for topping doesn't mean that we can't do a better than average job of butchering their tree.

 

[lxt]

opcorn: this should get good!!



LXT............

 

[lone wolf]

Hope you get paid some people are nuts.

 

[Cutler tree]

I'm new so tell me if I'm wrong but when I get those calls I won't turn them down but I try to talk them into raising the canopy. I just bid one today like that. I think I'll get it too, I just explain that topping is more than likely going to kill the tree and from a curb appeal standpoint, you'll see the house better with the bottom branches removed and symetrical.

 

[treemandan]

Go for it! Just make sure you hack the outside far enough back so it make flopping the inside out easy. If its going to make it easier don your spikes but I wouldn't go putting no yard sign up!opcorn: I hope you get pics.
I wouldn't be surprised if I land a topping gig myself now though it has been some time since.

 

[ATH]

I have never had a problem educating a customer out of topping.

I personally would refuse the job if topping was the final decision. I need work for the long-term more than I need the work now...but that is just me - you gotta do what you've gotta do.

 

[CNBTreeTrimming]

Job I did last Saturday was severe wind damage on a previously topped bradford pear. Request was to re-top. Got in the tree, nearly every branch had fungus and rotten wood. Large dead branches in the center. Needless to say job changed tree is down. Glad cause I was not wanting to put my name on that.

 

[Rftreeman]

either you do it the other guy will, like the H/O said, it's his tree....

 

[UnityArborist]

Turn it down and keep your integrity

More work will be coming it always does. Don't lose you integrity and reputation. Also there is the question of liability. If in five or ten years after the water sprouts have gotten big on breaks and damages something or hurts someone that is on your head. You are the professional make the right choice.

 

[Sunrise Guy]

:notrolls2:

I got a call today from a customer that wants his tree topped. I mentioned to him (over the phone) that topping isn't too good for a tree, and his response was "So what! It's my tree!".

Needless to say, I ain't gonna try too hard to talk myself out of a job. My bid ticket reads: "Two trees in front yard. Remove the smaller, leave a 2'- 3' stump with a level top. The bigger tree needs crown reduction, topping is desired by customer."

I know some of you guys would pass on this, but I'm not. Just because the customer calls for topping doesn't mean that we can't do a better than average job of butchering their tree.

I was going to keep this our little secret, but----

:notrolls2:

 

[newsawtooth]

It's not just about integrity, liability for trees damaged by topping is a bigger concern. Not lost value but damage to life and property from the water sprouts and rotten branch unions. The primary objective of pruning is to reduce the risk of failure. A little money made now could cost more later. Besides, topping is a lot of work.

 

[sgreanbeans]

I wont do it, however, if it was Christmas and i had no money.............................I would get a job at Mickey D's!

 

[treeclimber101]

I got a call today from a customer that wants his tree topped. I mentioned to him (over the phone) that topping isn't too good for a tree, and his response was "So what! It's my tree!".

Needless to say, I ain't gonna try too hard to talk myself out of a job. My bid ticket reads: "Two trees in front yard. Remove the smaller, leave a 2'- 3' stump with a level top. The bigger tree needs crown reduction, topping is desired by customer."

I know some of you guys would pass on this, but I'm not. Just because the customer calls for topping doesn't mean that we can't do a better than average job of butchering their tree.

Topping is an "ART" so remember there will be no leaves to hide imperfections , make sure you snap pics of you in the process of doing the dirty deed , and I want to see every branch equally hacked like a lolli-pop

 

[treeclimber101]

Job I did last Saturday was severe wind damage on a previously topped bradford pear. Request was to re-top. Got in the tree, nearly every branch had fungus and rotten wood. Large dead branches in the center. Needless to say job changed tree is down. Glad cause I was not wanting to put my name on that.

BRADFORD pears are a topping magnet , and they actually look quite nice if done correct and if you hit them in March they will need it again in June , maybe we should rename Topping to "Tree resizing", and no one has to feel bad about doing it ...It almost sounds responsible

 

[Rftreeman]

BRADFORD pears are a topping magnet , and they actually look quite nice if done correct and if you hit them in March they will need it again in June , maybe we should rename Topping to "Tree resizing", and no one has to feel bad about doing it ...It almost sounds responsible

we already have a fancy name for topping, it's called "crown reduction"......lol.....

 

[UnityArborist]

BRADFORD pears are a topping magnet , and they actually look quite nice if done correct and if you hit them in March they will need it again in June , maybe we should rename Topping to "Tree resizing", and no one has to feel bad about doing it ...It almost sounds responsible

Imagine if for once in the history of Bradford Pears one actually had structural pruning done from a young age. Has anyone out there seen one with a centralized leader?

Did pdqdl ever say the tree to be topped was a Bradford Pear?

 

[pdqdl]

An update: we quoted $1300 for a whole bunch of work, in addition to some "crown reduction". In fact, the bid was for removing only a couple of branches over the house, and some thinning elsewhere. The tree has been topped before, only a couple of years ago, so no topping was needed.

The guy was pretty drunk when my salesman was talking to him, and he was adding all kinds of work that had not been mentioned in the original call. Our initial impression is that we won't get to top any trees for this guy, no matter how bad we want to.

 

[Ed Roland]

I know some of you guys would pass on this, but I'm not. Just because the customer calls for topping doesn't mean that we can't do a better than average job of butchering their tree.

Your aim is to perform a better than average job of destroying your clients tree?

fascinating...

 

[pdqdl]

No; That's not what I said!

If the customer requests that we do a destructive trimming to a tree, we should be able to do it skillfully with less destruction to the tree than our competitors. If you look at everything I say with a plan to see the only the worst in it, I'm sure that you will generally be successful.:bang:

 

[Ed Roland]

No; That's not what I said!

If the customer requests that we do a destructive trimming to a tree, we should be able to do it skillfully with less destruction to the tree than our competitors.:

You mean those competitors that are not ISA certified? How is performing tree topping in compliance with accepted professional standards?

Look, maybe not everyone. Maybe not even the majority but many here do practice science based arboriculture. You have to expect some disagreement when you start a thread about whoring out your services as an arborist to top a tree. Your Justification seems to be because you want the money and you will somehow be able to top this tree more "skillfully" than the other guys.

If you look at everything I say with a plan to see the only the worst in it, I'm sure that you will generally be successful.:bang:

I can see how you might think this after our latest go round with turf vs tree in another thread but I respect your knowledge. Always have. Especially your thoughts on soil fertility. This has not stopped me from disagreeing with you from time to time, though. This is one of those rare times.