Scheduled Work

[Nickrosis]

Ah, my titles are so descriptive yet enticing.

TreeJunkie mentioned showing up for scheduled work, and I don't know if he meant "we'll do that this winter" or if he meant a three or five or seven year pruning cycle, but it brings up a good point.

OK, the poll...
Sure, everyone schedules work for the next day or week or season, but who schedules work for years down the road? From a tree health perspective, it's a great idea spread pruning out over a period of years instead of trying to do all the work every ten years with no eye to the future.

How do you remember who needs what when?

 

[a_lopa]

plan to go twice 1 do the tree 2 stump

 

[Guy Meilleur]

Originally posted by Nickrosis
, it's a great idea spread pruning out over a period of years And it's essential to do PHC at the right time. On the invoice sheet when I write the check # next to the total, I write below that what work is needed when. The client signs at the bottom to officialize the receipt, at the same time committing to the future work.

How do you remember who needs what when?

Write name and phone # on week that work is schedule to do on big calendar at home--most of the time.
I'm trying to get into the habit of entering it into the laptop too. Client usually calls if I forget.

Most ask to be put on a PHC program when they see it's great insurance, usually annual but I have several quarterly and even a few monthly ones.
3 years is the longest out I schedule; things grow too fast here to wait any longer to return.

 

[Nickrosis]

What do you mean by monthly/quarterly PHC programs?

We have a Spray/Inspection plan that includes fungistatic/cidal sprays for scab, rusts, common insect sprays, etc. This amounts to 3-4 routine stops that may be supplemented with additional stops if the situation requires (i.e. spider mites completing their life cycles in just 72 hours). This program is a two-year commitment.

If that's not what they want, they can get a customized "Treatment Options" program that does not include the routine stops and the associated property inspections and reports.

 

[Guy Meilleur]

Originally posted by Nickrosis
What do you mean by monthly/quarterly PHC programs?

Visiting 12 or 4 times a year. Some estates have a lot of different woody plants that need regular care to look and do their best. No, this does not lead to overpruning, since PHC encompasses everyting affecting the plants.

I get into minor skirmishes with the mowblowandgo boys about who does what, but we work it out.