Walnut problem

[TreeAce]

Ok, here is the deal.These neighbors dont like each other. They even say it right in front of each other. Neighbor on left side of tree in picture HATES the walnuts. Neighbor who owns tree cares only a tiny bit. He has been back and forth as to whether or not he will allow neighbor on left to pay for its heavy trim or removal. Right now he is saying go ahead. NOW...owner of tree will not allow ANY equipment on his property cuz he thinks it will damage underground stuff..whatever... I let him think that and I am not the first tree guy to be there. It seems I AM the first one who is willing to do it without a bucket or crane. So, because owner wants to pick n choose who does it even though neighbor is paying for it, I am now his favorite choice cuz I can climb it and rig it down with ropes. NOW what I am asking is this...If I cut the entire left side of this tree off do u think it will survive? Should I insist the whole tree come down? If it was my tree( it would been gone long ago) I would NEVER allow it to be left cut like that. AND when the time comes to remove the rest of tree over owners house, good luck, cuz many useful rigging points will be gone. I tried to get neighbor to allow me to cut her side back to a nice lateral up towards the top of the left side but she aint going for it. Truth is... if I take only the left side off it would be the easy way for me. Its the gravy side and it looks like the price I quoted is no prob so its a money maker for me...Not sure what to think about it...it will look like crap. There is atleast one other guy around here who will cut the one side only but he insisted he had to use a crane. Neighbor has a brand new driveway and he says she must sign a waiver for damage to it. So point being....I think there is a good chance only half will be cut whether i do it or not. Any thoughts?View attachment 201942View attachment 201943

 

[tree MDS]

I would probably try and just sell removing the entire tree, otherwise I probably wouldn't be interested. I hate hack jobs like that. I'm sure it would (more than likely) survive though.

 

[lone wolf]

Make him sign a work order specifically stating what you are to do to the tree as per his request.

 

[2treeornot2tree]

Looks like there is some rot at the bottom where the other stem was removed. I would talk them into a full removal before it falls on one of there houses in a bad storm.

 

[treeman75]

Tell neighbor on left to squirt some tordon in that hole, that should take care of the problem!

 

[troythetreeman]

if he only wants one side off, bid it high and do it that way, itll survive, look what line clearance guys do
mention its going to look terrible, but if thats what he wants, do it
next year hell be so sick to look at it youll be back to remove it anyhow
idk how it is where you are but in minnesota you dont need the tree owners permission, anything directly over the property line you can cut back to the property line
i get a few of these, i recommend they get the blessing of the neighbor for relations sake
i then talk to the owner myself and inform them of the intent where i ask them if they would prefer me to make proper cuts rather then just bob it off
ive never had one not allow me onto their property to access the tree or not want proper cuts, but i have heard of it happening

 

[TreeAce]

Thanks for the imput . I welcome anyone else to toss in an opinion. But I have been thinking bout this job since I was there this morning and am leaning towards...walk away. I think both the tree owner and the neighbor who wants tree gone are kinda "out there" and I smell trouble. IDK...we'll see. I do know this...I dont need the work and I SURE the heck dont need any BS. But it would pay well.....:msp_wink:

 

[Bigus Termitius]

I ran into a similar deal on an ash last week. I drew it up to alleviate any liability because it was going to be left as a hazard tree; roots had been taken on the same side thanks to a new garage foundation. The owner agreed to removal and they split that cost. Looking at that base on your walnut, I'd call for a removal or walk. Bid high and let them split it.

 

[ATH]

........Not sure what to think about it...it will look like crap.......

If I am in your shoes, that sais all I need to know. I don't want to drive past something for the next x years and think "man, that looks like junk", and know it is associated with me. Other people (potential clients) are thinking the same thing, and asking who did it.

Remove or walk is my opinion.

 

[Zale]

I ran into a similar deal on an ash last week. I drew it up to alleviate any liability because it was going to be left as a hazard tree; roots had been taken on the same side thanks to a new garage foundation. The owner agreed to removal and they split that cost. Looking at that base on your walnut, I'd call for a removal or walk. Bid high and let them split it.

If you don't need the work and you don't want to do a hack job, walk away. Even though its easy money, my concern would be the long term structural stability of the tree. Let the other guy have it.

 

[Slvrmple72]

It looks like that thing is fairly close to the house and not anywhere near the driveway. Is the driveway past the fence in the picture further to the left? You talking about the left side being taken at the trunk? If it was my tree and neighbor was tired of the walnuts I would take the limbs back from the tips so that they are within my property line by a few feet or nearest lateral.

 

[Slvrmple72]

I will come up there and cut it down for the firewood.

 

[TreeAce]

Thanks guys. Keep in mind there is no splitting the cost. The guy who owns the tree is NOT the one paying for it but he IS involved in choosing who does the job cuz ,well..its his property. But the neighbor on the left side of the photos is the women who is paying for it. She HATES the tree. She has a list of reasons why. Some of them I even agree with. Keep in mind they dont like each other. The driveway I was talking about belongs to the the women who is paying. There are branches from a beech in her front yard that would need trimmed as well for crane access. Plus a brand new driveway that she would have to sign off on. The drive way is ,from photo of top of tree, behind me alittle and to the left. Out of bucket range for sure. If the guy who owned the tree would get his head out of his backside and allow a bucket on his front/side yard the whole thing would be easy. But he doesnt give a **** how much it costs cuz he not paying any of it and he is worried about damage to under ground utillities. The whole scene is kinda stupid. I did, under much pressure from both parties, give two prices prices before I left. The first price,which is left side only, the paying customer JUMPED on. And I didnt hold back. So then They wanna know how much for whole thing....well, I ONLY doubled the price thinking I would make it easy on paying women and it would be a no brainer. But not so much cuz she just made a face like she was pissed. I dont blame her though cuz tree owner should help her pay, but he wont. I dont think I am gonna mess with it. Here is another photo I had on my phone. U can see paying women on lower left and tree owner on right. This photo is taken closer to driveway. And also keep in mind FWIW...the right side over the NON PAYING tree owners house is harder to do (manual rigging) than it looks. Trust me.View attachment 202044

I think the lack of a center leader makes right side a royal PITA. There are some other tree branches involved as well that u really cant see from photo. AND 2 dead ash trees behind house, which is 3 storys down cuz of slope, that would need removed to create a LZ. SO...should my paying lady neighbor cover the removal of those as well?? This guy has chity trees all over his property....

 

[lone wolf]

Thanks for the imput . I welcome anyone else to toss in an opinion. But I have been thinking bout this job since I was there this morning and am leaning towards...walk away. I think both the tree owner and the neighbor who wants tree gone are kinda "out there" and I smell trouble. IDK...we'll see. I do know this...I dont need the work and I SURE the heck dont need any BS. But it would pay well.....:msp_wink:

Its been my experience if they are giving you trouble before you start there will be more trouble to come!

 

[Bigus Termitius]

If you don't need the work and you don't want to do a hack job, walk away. Even though its easy money, my concern would be the long term structural stability of the tree. Let the other guy have it.

Are you talking about his walnut or my ash? I pounded it into firewood and mulch, owner kept both. The neighbors cut me checks to split the cost and I've got winter removals lined up for the extensive side yard. Sometimes when you persevere as the arborist and sell what needs to be done, more work comes from it.

 

[sgreanbeans]

Dont walk away...............RUN!

Its been my experience if they are giving you trouble before you start there will be more trouble to come!

:agree2::agree2::agree2::agree2::agree2:
I have been involved and witnessed a couple of those deals, they will cost you more than you make in the long run. That guy will be out there, right up your butt, questioning every thing you do. He will blame you for whatever he can, to get you to pay for it. If one little thing does happen, you, for sure, will be to blame and he will connect it to whatever else. Problem is, is when these things go to court, we are always stereo typed as being the "bad contractor" and the "poor home owner" will get paid. Unless you are a starvin marvin, and I am pretty sure your not! STAY AWAY my brother, BEEEEEEEEELIEEEVE ME!

 

[TreeAce]

I made the call this afternoon. "It was a pleasure meeting you but I am going to pass on this job. Thanks for calling and good luck". Thanks to all who replied, I appreciate the input.

 

[Zale]

Are you talking about his walnut or my ash? I pounded it into firewood and mulch, owner kept both. The neighbors cut me checks to split the cost and I've got winter removals lined up for the extensive side yard. Sometimes when you persevere as the arborist and sell what needs to be done, more work comes from it.

I was talking about the walnut. Sorry for the confusion.