problem with customer

[markel]

I trimmed a ash tree last spring and the customer called me to day stating that i killed the tree. we climed the tree to get to the limbs that wherent able to be reached by ground or from the ladder. has anyone had a tree die from climbing?

the customer gave me five days to respond on what i am going to do

 

[brokenbudget]

it was probably them beatles again:greenchainsaw:

 

[treeseer]

ask for permission to climb and inspect. take pics and document everything.

if you spiked a prune and beetles followed, you may have a problem. but maybe the beetles were already there--do you remember how it was?

if they already had the tree removed then ask to see the report that alleges you are at fault.

 

[deer slayer]

Go look with your own eyes, make sure no root damage was done by what ever. Construction, under ground repaires, ect. A year is a long time. Im no tree expert but have climbed many a tree without killing one yet.. or try to make it right for buisness sake, ask them what do want me to do?? last but not least tell'em pack sand..

 

[rmh3481]

How can anyone guarantee life?

 

[jomoco]

Politely let your customer know that Michigan is in the very heart of the emerald ash borer infestation range that's killing tens of thousands of ash trees throughout the entire north east currently.

Then offer to remove the tree for him at a reasonable cost.

jomoco

 

[markel]

the tree had some dead limbs. the customer has also stated he whant me to pay for a new tree ($3,000). I also asked him if I can look at the tree and take pictures he started to refuse then said only with him preasent. he also told me that he is willing to sue me.

 

[markel]

Politely let your customer know that Michigan is in the very heart of the emerald ash borer infestation range that's killing tens of thousands of ash trees throughout the entire north east currently.

Then offer to remove the tree for him at a reasonable cost.

jomoco

the customer clames he had a tree expert out and there is no ash bore

 

[treemandan]

I think it would take quite a bit to kill an ash tree. If not Eab then what? You have to get on the property to inspect. They probably won't let you so demand they provide you with proof you killed the tree.

 

[Jon22]

If all work was preformed to ISA/ANSI standards tell this guy to get stuffed. There is no 100% with mother nature, this is something I make a habbit to tell custumers with funky trees. Just by the way you describe this custumer, sounds like he possible poisioned the tree, and is looking to make you the scape goat.

 

[ddhlakebound]

the customer clames he had a tree expert out and there is no ash bore

How does the dead tree owner define "expert"? And how exactly did the "expert" determine that you were at fault?

Did you spike the tree when you climbed?

Got before/after pics from when you did the job last year?

 

[komatsuvarna]

How can anyone guarantee life?

Thats what im thinking. If hes being professional about it, id try to help him. If hes being a a$$, then the A$$hole rule applies. Tell him to pack salt.

 

[BC WetCoast]

If you're not certified, then you may want to consider having someone who is certified accompany you on your inspection. If you know someone who has done some court expert witness work, so much the better.

I think in this situation, you may need credentials to fight credentials.

 

[capetrees]

If you're not certified, then you may want to consider having someone who is certified accompany you on your inspection. If you know someone who has done some court expert witness work, so much the better.

I think in this situation, you may need credentials to fight credentials.

:agree2:
And you say he hired you to remove dead limbs originally so that may imply there was something wrong with the tree already. With so many ways for a tree to die, it seems pretty far fetched that you caused it. Did his "expert" claim you to be at fault? And if so, what are his credentials?

 

[NCTREE]

If all work was preformed to ISA/ANSI standards tell this guy to get stuffed. There is no 100% with mother nature, this is something I make a habbit to tell custumers with funky trees. Just by the way you describe this custumer, sounds like he possible poisioned the tree, and is looking to make you the scape goat.

Thats what I was thinking possible fertilizer burn. I removed a bradford a couple weeks ago that died last summer. The HO had his lawn fertilized regularly by a landscaper. The tree had no sign of insect damage or disease. When i cut it down you could see discolored patterns in the xylem.

 

[treesquirrel]

Send him a certified letter that states that when you were hired to remove dead limbs that whatever was killing the limbs is not eliminated by just removing them.

Or just tell him to F-off

 

[Dadatwins]

If the tree had EAB before you pruned it, you probably just pruned an already dying tree. Bad business and probably not going to get many referrals from that customer. Problem is making sure you documented the problem before starting the work. Best to take notes on all inspections and pictures if you can. Never say a tree will be OK after doing any work to it.

 

[Bigus Termitius]

Ask him if it is still standing. When he says yes, tell him to climb up in it as high as he can to the tallest limb...

.....and jump off.

Seriously, take a witness to the scene...the more experienced arborist, the better.

Or take some hottie and dress her up as a forester and have her flirt a bit and assure him that the tree suffered from simple flux capacitration and is no fault of yours. Eh...on second thought, maybe that won't work either.

Better go legit.

 

[Tree Pig]

maybe a stupid question but when you say you climbed the tree, do you mean rope climb or spikes?

 

[Slvrmple72]

There are still live Ash trees in Michigan?!

:biggrinbounce2: