Saved 9 killed 13

murphy4trees · May 9, 2003

I looked at a job last week... the client asked for a price on removal of 22 trees on the 1/2 acre property, which would leave them pretty much with only trees on the perimeter. One in particular tree was a 90' white oak in great condition just a few feet from the south side of their house. This tree was a hugely important shade tree. The wife, a self proclaimed "tree lover", assured me that it was "OK" because she was planning on replanting. I looked to the white oak and said "you're gonna replant that???"
Turns out after further investigation, they didn't want to remove the white oak, but they had a visit from their insurance co., whom considerred the tree too close to the house, and a threat etc.. I responded "who's qualified to access the potential threat... an insurance agent or an arborist?"
And they had 8 others scheduled for removal for some project that was planned for a later time, maybe years later... I always tell customers not to cut the trees until they have a building permit... a lot can change between now and then... The husband didn't really want to cut the trees, so he was glad to have me talk the wife into keeping the 9. Many of the 13 were in bad shape but several were good trees... I feel shame about cutting the good trees. That's not my idea of a good time, and I Am glad to have saved the 9. I'll post pics later if I get a chance.
I tell myself that is one of the things I do in service to the community... I speak for the trees. I defend them with all I have. Yet I also kill them for money. I guess that's part of the Great Mystery.

TREETX · May 9, 2003

Some would say you missed out on some money because you could have charged to remove the extra 9.

I am with you. Those are 9 trees that will need care over their lifetime which has the potential of being longer than our lifetime. Pretty good returns if you ask me.

Good job!

johncinco · May 9, 2003

I bet if they do end up removing them in the future, they will certainly call you to do it for your honesty and concern for their property. we all have to live with the guy in the mirror in the morning.

tjk · May 9, 2003

We had a client wanting us to remove a really nice 45" Burr Oak. It WAS located at the top of their drive way which was down hill to the garage. The sales rep asked why and she pionted at the smashed garage door, the acorns on the drive acted like ball bearings and she could not stop. The rep looked in the house to find her 2 teenage boys playing video games and it was a beatifull day. So the rep says your going to remove a 300 year old? tree instead of giving your kids an extra chore? Needless to say she became very up set and the rep was asked to leave. 3 days later the tree was gone.

TREETX · May 9, 2003

How American of her. It was the tree's fault, not hers. Yeah, and her kids aren't fat and lazy.

Reed · May 9, 2003

Why Tex, that sounds like something I would post!!

Really though, she sounds like many of the yuppie relocatees out here. Eeuww, there's sticky stuff on my new white Yukon and that Robin pooped on our patio.

2ndgclimber · May 10, 2003

I like the ones that want trees cut down because in the fall the leaves fill up their gutters.God forbid they hire someone for $45 to clean them out once a year