Questions on root grinding

[treeseer]

True, it does take more educated guesswork than pruning branches. But it's essentially the same; removing part of the tree for a good reason. We have to guess at the tree's ability to rebound from branch removal based on resources stored, future stresses, etc.--stuff we can't see. % of canopy or root mass is only one factor, and not always the major one.

 

[056kid]

You dont wanna do that. Maples tare up stump grinders quick any way.

 

[tommyo]

Well I ground out the stump and all the dead roots last week.Now this week,she wants me to bring in truck load of top-soil and cover the live roots+grass seed! So I am making the same $ as the original estimate.Thanks again for all the good advice!

 

[treeseer]

A happy ending to the story? Short term, yes. But later, the soil will settle, the grass will grow sparse due to competition with the tree, the roots will thicken and poke up again. Whaddya gonna do then?

mulch is the only sustainable longterm answer under most trees. How close to the trunk will you be sowing grass seed? The tree needs at least trunk-diameter distance of mulch imo. See the info on mulching, trees&turf at the link below. Free for the download, give copies to your customers.

 

[LightningLoader]

Yes, you are right, there are better alternatives but the customer is not interested in them, and you have wasted your time, effort and breath on this one who just gets somebody else to do it.

In other trades there are regulations and enforcement ... we have none. So, IMO we wouldn't be doing anything illegal, and perhaps it will take a few more failures (man induced) to wake up these politicians and regulators to do something about it.

In a years time if she moves out and the new owner doesn't know what has been done and the tree fails ... insurance will cover it, if somebody is injured and an inquiry proceeds the original owner will be the culprit, and if she's no longer around (deceased) then what?

Wont win against the tree company because they have their disclaimer.

Might as well sue the govt for not prohibiting the exercise, they are the negligent party, the contractor has gone the extra lengths out of his goodwill and knowledge to inform the customer of their ignorance ... something most other contractors wouldn't even know about let alone do.

It's a huge kettle of fish, but being a good guy with high morals and ethics is costing you and not your ignorant competitors. I'm in the same boat, sometimes I walk away, sometimes I don't ... but as time passes the more I wonder why rules don't change and the more I realize there are no rules.

Don't ever count on not getting sued, even if you have some sort of contract that says that you are not liable for her bad decisions. You may end up in court still, and even if you came out clean, you would still have the lawyers bills to pay for your defense.

 

[Ekka]

Don't ever count on not getting sued, even if you have some sort of contract that says that you are not liable for her bad decisions. You may end up in court still, and even if you came out clean, you would still have the lawyers bills to pay for your defense.

Na, it would be my insurance companies problem. And since I've never made a claim they'd still be infront!