need some help on tree topping

[TROYERLANDSCAPE]

I have an customer that want's some tall spruce tree's topped. they want the brought down about 30' instead 12-15'. which I don't recommend it, but they want it done. The question is how can tell them not too?

 

[Dadatwins]

Welcome to site. You can give them this brochure from the ISA which explains why you should not top trees.
http://www.treesaregood.org/treecare/topping.aspx
You can only explain to a homeowner in so many terms why you should not do things to a tree, ultimately it is their tree and responsibility. You simply have to maintain yourself as a professional. I have walked away more than once in disagreement with a potential customer.

 

[Adkpk]

There is an article on just the same matter. Anybody know where to find it. "Arborist News"? Or is on the ISA website.

But basically what they say is, it's your reputation on the line if you go for the money. And in the long run your business will go further if you do what is right. Let someone else put their reputation at risk for disfiguring those trees.

If your on here asking your not looking to be in the hack business.

 

[treeslayer]

I have an customer that want's some tall spruce tree's topped. they want the brought down about 30' instead 12-15'. which I don't recommend it, but they want it done. The question is how can tell them not too?

THEY WILL DIE. guarantee it.

gotta guarantee your work, right?

 

[jefflovstrom]

I agree, Don't do it, educate them or walk away. You will feel good either way.
Jeff

 

[Rftreeman]

tell them they will die, do it after they insist, go back after they die and get paid again.........


OR,

talk them in to removing them and maybe replacing them with something that doesn't mature so high...


one more thing, never guarantee what mother nature has control over, she will bit you in the butt..........

 

[clearance]

tell them they will die, do it after they insist, go back after they die and get paid again.........


OR,

talk them in to removing them and maybe replacing them with something that doesn't mature so high...

Good one, I agree.

 

[Rftreeman]

Good one, I agree.

thanks, I'm sure you know where I get the remove & replace with smaller from...yep transmission line row work....

 

[clearance]

Yep, one sleazy useless utility hack to another. Why trim, let it burn, burn baby burn. Hazard trees around power, leave them alone, thats overtime for the linemen. Least thats what its like here. Not my problem, I let it all go.

 

[Rftreeman]

Yep, one sleazy useless utility hack to another. Why trim, let it burn, burn baby burn. Hazard trees around power, leave them alone, thats overtime for the linemen. Least thats what its like here. Not my problem, I let it all go.

aaahhh this take me back...

 

[clearance]

Its really funny, and pathetic at the same time, the utility here (B.C. Hydro), sure talks a good talk, but they cannot get the work done, for some reason or other. I move, and the primary tap that runs through our place to the nieghbors is burning, cottonwood slash, above and touching the primary from time to time. And at many places on our road. I guess someone is getting a bonus somewhere.

I no longer care, I used to, I used to put my heart into working for them, but why.

 

[Adkpk]

I no longer care, I used to, I used to put my heart into working for them, but why.

To save your soul. But if burning is what your into go for it. :monkey::hmm3grin2orange::hmm3grin2orange::hmm3grin2orange:

Clearance do even like trees?

 

[clearance]

To save your soul. But if burning is what your into go for it. :monkey::hmm3grin2orange::hmm3grin2orange::hmm3grin2orange:

Clearance do even like trees?

I worked really hard to cut down as many dead trees as I could, so people would have continous power. The thought of some people, the older ones, the kids, without power in the dark and cold bothers me.

But the utility has disapointed me, I lost in it on of thier guys, who didn't deserve it. I was suspended, had to get counseling. I learned that it was not my fault, I had done the best I could and that the mess is thier making, and responsiblity. Not mine. So, I let my resentments go, no hard feelings from me, I can't make them do anything, no point trying.

I love trees, especially conifers, do I like dangerous trees around powerlines? No.

 

[ozzy42]

tell them they will die, do it after they insist, go back after they die and get paid again.........


Or,

talk them in to removing them and maybe replacing them with something that doesn't mature so high...


One more thing, never guarantee what mother nature has control over, she will bit you in the butt..........

good one, i agree.

yep

 

[BC WetCoast]

Its really funny, and pathetic at the same time, the utility here (B.C. Hydro), sure talks a good talk, but they cannot get the work done, for some reason or other. I move, and the primary tap that runs through our place to the nieghbors is burning, cottonwood slash, above and touching the primary from time to time. And at many places on our road. I guess someone is getting a bonus somewhere.

I no longer care, I used to, I used to put my heart into working for them, but why.

Are you talking distribution lines (BC Hydro) or transmission (BC Transmission Corp)? I thought they both belonged to SERC and were fined if they had a tree caused shutdown?

 

[outofmytree]

I have an customer that want's some tall spruce tree's topped. they want the brought down about 30' instead 12-15'. which I don't recommend it, but they want it done. The question is how can tell them not too?

Lot's of good advice here so let me just add my vote to the informal poll. Yes, it is worth walking away from clients who refuse sound advice. Your long term reputation has way more value than short term cash.

 

[treeseer]

Lots of young trees like that can be reduced and look good (tho high mtc).

Spruces would send out a mess of leaders and low branches shaded out, then the pests will come.

The op said nothing about powerlines, where did that come from?

Jim, thanks for sharing the tale of recovering your sanity. nothing wrong with getting help seeing things as they are and not as we want them to be. hence my sig.

 

[Rftreeman]

The op said nothing about powerlines, where did that come from?

it came from years of me telling people if they didn't like their trees being topped due to lines then maybe they could remove and replace them with a tree that matured at a shorter height so I made the suggestion to the op about remove and replace due to the fact that I'm sure the people wanted the spruce trees topped due to height then power line just got toss in there between clearance and me so I guess that's where it came from..........yep that's it.......

 

[clearance]

Are you talking distribution lines (BC Hydro) or transmission (BC Transmission Corp)? I thought they both belonged to SERC and were fined if they had a tree caused shutdown?

BC Hydro and BCTC are owned outright by the province, same dna. WTF is SERC?

 

[BC WetCoast]

BC Hydro and BCTC are owned outright by the province, same dna. WTF is SERC?

Sorry, I screwed up, it's NERC not SERC and is the North American Electrical Reliability Corporation.

From their website:
Our mission is to ensure the reliability of the bulk power system in North America. To achieve that, we develop and enforce reliability standards; assess reliability annually via 10-year and seasonal forecasts; monitor the bulk power system; and educate, train, and certify industry personnel. NERC is a self-regulatory organization, subject to oversight by the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and governmental authorities in Canada

www.nerc.com

The two operations may have the same DNA, but they don't have the same influence at budget time.