spontaneous combustion

[Totally Stumped]

If the customer wants the chips from my stump grinder, I have no problem throwing them in the nearest flower bed. Recently, a husband asked me to do just that but his wife came out and told me to stop because the fresh chips would "burn" her plants. Any truth to that? Any trees or shrubs to avoid?

 

[Guy Meilleur]

AT the top of this page it says "Search". If you click on that and typow "chips harm plants" or something, you will see much on this topic.

 

[teressa green]

its to do with the heat build up if laid at depth ,ie against a tree or plant deep ,do do with the decomposition process,

 

[Nickrosis]

To answer the question, fresh chips will begin to decompose, a process that requires Nitrogen, an element the flowers need. The best route is to let chips begin to decompose before installing them.

And yes, a big pile will begin to "bake" as it decomposes....a possible source of injury but not likely because the flowers would be suffering more from the burial than the heat.

 

[Scars2prove-it]

Originally posted by Totally Stumped
If the customer wants the chips from my stump grinder, I have no problem throwing them in the nearest flower bed.

Do you get paid for this? I hope you do. Do you normally move chips after grinding?

When I started out grinding stumps I would backfill the hole and rake all the chips into one pile. Now I just blow off the driveway or sidewalk (if needed) and leave.

 

[Totally Stumped]

Thanks for the info, gang.

No, I normally do not get paid for throwing mulch but we are not talking about lugging the stuff around. If it is within a few feet of the hole, I don't mind throwing a little mulch on some flowers-probably less than an inch in depth.
Here in the land of the big enchilada, things are a little different than in other parts of the country. I get a kick out of all the discussions on this website regarding safety equipment, good groundmen, OSHA compliance, equipment maintenance, etc. Down here, it is rare to find a set of earplugs on a guy, let alone chaps, helmets, gloves, etc. Imagine standing behind a chipper or stumpgrinder all day in nothing but a t-shirt, jeans and sneakers. Many companies operate without insurance and many do not charge sales tax. In many respects, we operate like a Third World country down here where Mexicans are the majority in the city of Houston.
My competition has an 8.25% price advantage over me from the getgo because I send sales tax to the state of Texas each quarter. Stumps are ground out everyday around here for $45/$5-that's a $45 service charge and $5/stump regardless of size. Many stumps are removed with picks and shovels. This is the land of $200 tree removals and $50 stumps. I'll bet some of you guys don't even unpack your gear for $50.
If I gotta throw a little mulch in a flower bed to keep some lady happy, possibly generate a referral and stay ahead of the competition, it gets thrown.
Adios, amigos

 

[xander9727]

TS,
Let me sum it up in one word.......MOVE!

I won't start a truck for less than $250 for tree work for a new client. If they are a previous client I may do something for less if I'm in the area. I'm running a business not a charity.

I should add that for stump grinding I have a $75 minimum. I usually bunch stump jobs together and send a guy out for a full day.

 

[Ax-man]

Originally posted by Totally Stumped

My competition has an 8.25% price advantage over me from the getgo because I send sales tax to the state of Texas each quarter.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Are you paying sales tax for a service,, or do you have this confused with a state income tax???

 

[Can-Do-It]

Chips steaming ...

"And yes, a big pile will begin to "bake" as it decomposes....a possible source of injury but not likely because the flowers would be suffering more from the burial than the heat."

I been doing this large tree job for the couple and will be leaving the chips for the customer. I noticed today after a couple of days chiping that the pile was steaming.

Should I be concerned that the chips will catch on file???

 

[Totally Stumped]

No state income tax in Tejas.

Didn't you know, everyone has their very own oil well in their backyard generating oil revenue.

Most services are taxed here and those that are not, well, just wait. This state is broke and they are constantly changing the tax code to increase revenues. I fall under sic code 0782 Lawn and Garden services and must report sales tax.
The system is so convoluted, most Texans do not understand when and where they should be paying state sales tax. Point of sale terminals take the guess work out of it in retail. But, when it's just you and your yard man (and everybody has one of those around here) its usually a cash deal and no tax.

Yellow Dog is a Texas boy who posts on here from time to time. Check what his website has to say about sales tax.

Vaya con Dios, amigos

 

[Scars2prove-it]

Re: Chips steaming ...

Originally posted by Can-Do-It
[BShould I be concerned that the chips will catch on file???
[/B]

No.

 

[xander9727]

Ohio also taxes lawn care and landscaping services. I do not perform any lawn care or landscaping so I am part of forestry and logging because all I do is remove part or all of trees. My accountant had to get a decision on this from the state. I keep a copy of their decision on file in case they ever try to change their mind. Texas may not have this option but I'd look into it.

Xander "Censored in the Treehouse" 9727

 

[Stumper]

Axman, He does mean sales tax. A few administrations ago some bright spark in Austin got the idea of imposing sales taxes on all "green" services. This was clearly in violation of the state constitution but hardly anyone fought it. The flip side of this is that Totally stumped is supposed to ad the 8.25% to his charges. He is just the unpaid tax collector. If he sells a $45 stump as "$45 and I'll get the tax" he is in violation of the screwy regulations. :blob5:

I see that Totally Stumped replied while I was typing. Filthy thieves in government!

 

[Can-Do-It]

Thank you " Scars2prove-it"

 

[Yellowdog]

Yes,

Collecting sales tax is a pain. Yes, it takes extra time, leads to extra paper work, and yes, it irks some customers who think that they shouldn't have to pay sales tax if they hand you cash.
I try to take advantage of all legal means of avoiding sales tax collection but I still have to report what I did as a job. In Texas, now, there is an exemption for brush control designed to increase the availablity of water. That means that services related solely to helping the ground recharge more water are exempt from taxes. Stumping could be considered an exempt service under that regulation if you were grinding trees like Mesquite or oak that live after they are cut down. I know that hydroaxes and bulldozers are exempt machines as well as chainsaws, so why shouldn't stump grinding be a part of it though it isn't specifically listed. You can't just cut a tree down and leave a dangerous stump, right? Bottom line, I have all my customers who want to take advantage of the brush control regulation sign an exemption form. Yes, more paperwork and I have file full of forms, but it saves money and that is a positive thing at the end of the day.

As far as the competition taking out stumps with a knife and fork. Well, I used to worry about the competition. I still do when I am bored, have no work, finished early, or I see a mess that I want to clean up. I kick myself, move on and realize that the customers who want a good job done will pay well, reward you, then recommend them to their well to do friends who also want to keep up with the Joneses..

My $.02

 

[Koa Man]

My minimum charge for stump grinding is $150. Piles of chips from a chipper can catch on fire, but I doubt if stump grindings will because of all the dirt that is usually mixed up with it.

If you think your sales tax is bad, Hawaii has a general excise tax on all goods and services. Although it is only 4%, it is paid on every level. Example, farmer charges wholesaler $1 plus tax, $1.04. Wholesaler adds 50 cent markup to retailer plus 4% tax, $1.60. Retailer adds his markup of 50 cents and sells item to me for $2.10 plus tax, $2.18. So in reality, I just paid 18 cents in taxes on a $2 item. And get this, the retailer has to send the state 4% of the gross sale. He collected 8 cents in taxes from me, but has to send the state 9 cents. Isn't this a tax upon a tax??? The state of Hawaii says no. I charge $4 in tax for every $100 in sales. Every month I need to send the state $4.16 for every $100 in sales, 4% of $104.00. How does that saying go...Lucky You Live Hawaii. NOT where taxes are concerned.

 

[rumination]

Yup, we get taxed out the wazoo over here. I guess paradise has it's price...and taxes aren't the only one!

 

[luke montelius]

wow and i thought WA 8.3% WAS BAD, at any rate we have all the trees an army of companys could hop for.. so itwerks out.

 

[treeman45246]

xander

This accountant's decision... can you e-mail me a copy? Been paying sales tax past 12 years on tree jobs. Would be nice not to go through the trouble anymore.

 

[NeTree]

Sure makes me feel better about living in "Tax-a-chusetts - the PAY state".