Maryland Tree, Inc.

[Wiredp]

I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of Maryland Tree, Inc. Before I go any further, I am not trying to make this a discussion to attack ISA certified arborists or strike down tree toppers with all of gods wrath. :deadhorse: In a random web search I happened to look and see that this company which touts their ISA certified arborist and yet in the add lists "tree topping" as one of their services. This could just be a mistake or miscommunication with the referral agency, but I wasn't sure if anyone knew this outfit and their reputation. If it is a mistake then I would like to bring it to their attention so that they have the opportunity to correct it. I have included a link to the referral page in case anyone wants to take a look at what I am referring to.

http://www.treeservicedirect.com/Cr...ice/county/Howard_County_MD_Tree_Services.htm

 

[md_tree_dood]

Maybe they mean leylands and hollies? Or perhaps they are doing "drop crotch pruning" and calling it topping because it's what people understand. Why do you need to bring it to their attention? I don't work for them nor have I ever heard of them but why is it your responsibility to point it out to them for correction? If they are really topping trees, DNR will catch up with them.

 

[Wiredp]

I do not not know the exact number of people in the MD forestry dept, but I can tell you it is a very low number for the amount of area that they cover. I was just trying to understand why they might post that and you have provided me a very good viewpoint. I was looking at it in a different way and that is if someone was thinking about hiring them and happened to google tree topping they might come up with information about how it is not condoned, how it hurts the trees health, and how it is just an all around bad practice. I merely wanted to make them aware, in case they did not realize it was phrased that way and see if it could be phrased in a less negative way. I gain in no way from insulting or harassing that company. I am in Massachusetts, laid off from the tree company that I worked for because of the winter season, and really have no personal connection to the company that I mentioned.

 

[pdqdl]

I'm curious... DNR will catch them ? Doing what?

Is topping ILLEGAL, or would they just loose some sort of tree license?

 

[Toddppm]

In Md. you are required to have a license through the state to trim trees , removals none needed or something like that
Yes you will be fined and guys have spent jail time for not having the proper licenses from what I've read.

I think some companies advertise topping just to get attention from people that search for it, knowing it's not right but alot of consumers probably search that term when thinking about tree trimming.

 

[Rftreeman]

I'd bet my life that it's there because they wanted it there, people do still have THEIR trees TOPPED so there are people who use "topping" in their ads, do I use it, no and I'll do my best to talk them out of it but It's not the end of the f-ing world if a tree gets topped and I'm also curious as to why you feel that you need to bring it to their attention??????

 

[treeseer]

It's not the end of the f-ing world if a tree gets topped

Well it may be the end of the tree though...

why not just call them up?

:monkey:

 

[pdqdl]

In Md. you are required to have a license through the state to trim trees , removals none needed or something like that
Yes you will be fined and guys have spent jail time for not having the proper licenses from what I've read.

I think some companies advertise topping just to get attention from people that search for it, knowing it's not right but alot of consumers probably search that term when thinking about tree trimming.

Well...ok. I can see fined or "caught" for working without a license. Obviously, that's why they have licenses, so that they can fine you for not having one.

But would there be any statute against "topping", or "bad trimming" ?

 

[BC WetCoast]

Well...ok. I can see fined or "caught" for working without a license. Obviously, that's why they have licenses, so that they can fine you for not having one.

But would there be any statute against "topping", or "bad trimming" ?

I was rereading the bylaws from one of the local suburban municipalities. They have topping defined in the bylaw and is unacceptable practice for the city owned street trees. At this point, this specific municipality doesn't have a tree bylaw that affects privately owned trees, although other municpalities in the region do.

 

[fishercat]

it's their tree.

if they want it topped and it's on their property,so be it.

would i do it,no.but they have a right to have it done if that is what they wanted.

i'd keep to yourself. on this one.i'm sure they know what they put in their add.

certified is no guarantee they are good or care.some guys just use it as marketing.i know certified and licensed arborists here that i wouldn't let prune a dwarf holly.

 

[serial killer]

I topped a few trees this year. I left the nicest possible hatracks. Everyone involved was happy.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

For some CA is a marketing tool, for others it is a passion.

CA is a minimum knowledge certification, not proof of ethics. The organization has a code of ethics, but lacks the funding to enforce it.

I understand ASCA tried, but found the litigation way too expensive.

 

[treeslayer]

there will always be homeowners who want trees topped, and tree companies who advertise, and perform tree topping. If a homeowner insists, I'll top it. if not, someone else will. We work for a reason, $$$$.

plenty of substandard operators in every line of work, they just make true arborists look better.

 

[treeslayer]

I believe they are misusing the ISA Certified Arborist decal in their advertisement.

I googled them,
http://www.marylandtreeinc.com/
the owner lists his license #. While his website does not mention topping at all, the link Wiredp posted did. Looks like this post could be slandering a legitimate company.

:angrysoapbox:

 

[ozzy42]

I totally agree it is not good to top trees,however as others have posted,it is up to the H.O. in the end wheather or not it gets done.

It is after all THEIR tree ,on THEIR property.

Again as others have posted,if I don't do it the next guy will.
Some people,mainly seniors,have beleived this to be ok their entire lives,and you can
talk to them till your blue in the face,and not change their minds one bit.

IMO at least they are leaving something in the yard.
A lot of them take everything out ,and have nothing but river rock or mulch in their yards.

Much worse IMO than having a hatracked tree or two in their yard.

Iknow i'll probably catch a lot of flack for this post ,but i'm sure there are
others who will agree.

 

[teamtree]

Some of the finest restaurants in the country serve some of the most unhealthy dishes.

Why is it so wrong for a top notch company to do what the customer wants.

This is america and the homeowner has the choice to do what he wants.


Yeah, topping is bad but with all that is bad in this world why worry about what they do. Some of my most "prestigious" clients top their trees and will not even let a certified arborist explain how wrong it is. They just say we don't care, we want the trees trimmed in this particular manner.

Don't bother bashing....I am a realist and understand some you hold high standards and I say good for you. But sometimes you just got to understand it is a choice.

Much like eating out.

 

[Nailsbeats]

Yeah you should call them and give them the heads up on that, I am sure they would appreciate it.

 

[teamtree]

If you get certified do you sign an oath to not to top trees? I understand an arborist should give the customer the proper advice and even provide literature to back it up.

But let me ask you this, if a homeowner knows the proper way to care for a tree but wants his tree topped and wants a quality company (safe, reliable, insured) to do it. Should he not have the right to have someone do it for him, why does it have to be a hack?

Here is my issue, in my area we have tons of old germans who top their silver maples every 2-3 years. They have been doing it for 30 years or more. They treat their trees like shrubs. It is ok for a landscaper to trim shrubs in essential the same manner....why should a homeowner not be able to do the same to his trees. The fact of the matter, in my area, they love the look of a topped tree and how it suckers out.

I am not here to debate the right and wrong. It is not the right thing to do. But if my customer smokes should I walk away from the job as well. That is wrong and bad.

 

[Nailsbeats]

If you get certified do you sign an oath to not to top trees? I understand an arborist should give the customer the proper advice and even provide literature to back it up.

But let me ask you this, if a homeowner knows the proper way to care for a tree but wants his tree topped and wants a quality company (safe, reliable, insured) to do it. Should he not have the right to have someone do it for him, why does it have to be a hack?

Here is my issue, in my area we have tons of old germans who top their silver maples every 2-3 years. They have been doing it for 30 years or more. They treat their trees like shrubs. It is ok for a landscaper to trim shrubs in essential the same manner....why should a homeowner not be able to do the same to his trees. The fact of the matter, in my area, they love the look of a topped tree and how it suckers out.

I am not here to debate the right and wrong. It is not the right thing to do. But if my customer smokes should I walk away from the job as well. That is wrong and bad.

You got them old Germans too huh? I hear ya.

 

[treeslayer]

Yeah you should call them and give them the heads up on that, I am sure they would appreciate it.

I emailed them the URL for this thread, told em to read it.:sword: