What to do - topping???

[Canyonbc]

What do you do in this situation.

So today we are doing a removal on a English Walnut, and two small Oaks...good day every, and the neighbor show up hey, can you look at my tree...i need some work done.

I love when this happens.

So we walk over and he has a Maple (50 ft tall or so), he asks me to top it, at 15 ft....my stomach turns as i here him say. So i explain topping, what it does why its bad etc.

So i go ok, why do you want it topped so bad...well its getting to tall and leaning towards the house.

So this time, i draw him a picture to show it what topping does.

He doesnt care what i am saying, just wants a price.

I tell him sorry i dont top, wont top, but best of luck...


Did i do the right thing???

I hate passing up work...but i dont top.

Canyon

Looking for your opinion.

A. Did i do the right thing?
B. What would you have done???

 

[BC WetCoast]

Follow your principles and personal integrity.

You did well, young butterfly.

 

[kennertree]

You could have offered him some correct pruning like reducing limbs prone to failure or made some reduction cuts to reduce weight on the side towards the house. Telling him you wouldnt top it is a good thing.

 

[Canyonbc]

You could have offered him some correct pruning like reducing limbs prone to failure or made some reduction cuts to reduce weight on the side towards the house. Telling him you wouldnt top it is a good thing.

Ya i offered select pruning...

Canopy Reduction....

To be honest, looking at the tree...it could use a little pruning a few branches but to what he was thinking...i think he was out there..

 

[Canyonbc]

Thanks for the responses....

I am 19, and dam it really need the money, but some things i just wont do. Thanks for reassuring that i am did the right thing.

Canyon

 

[treeseer]

Having some info with you like the ISA brochures on pruning and topping can save you a lot of time and trouble.

 

[ATH]

Thanks for the responses....

I am 19, and dam it really need the money, but some things i just wont do. Thanks for reassuring that i am did the right thing.

Canyon

Here is another vote that you did the right thing

The important question to ask yourself (from a business management standpoint):
Would you rather have a few dollars now our would you rather have the career-long opportunity to command a higher price that comes with a history of professional work?

Act like a hack, and people will always be willing to pay you accordingly - and you will be bidding against other hacks. If you wanted to go that route, operators in that 'market' are always willing to cut more corners than you are, so those guys will top trees for a lower price than you can even imagine. Set yourself apart with quality, and you'll find that you never really have to bid against those low-ballers.

 

[clearance]

Here is another vote that you did the right thing

The important question to ask yourself (from a business management standpoint):
Would you rather have a few dollars now our would you rather have the career-long opportunity to command a higher price that comes with a history of professional work?

Act like a hack, and people will always be willing to pay you accordingly - and you will be bidding against other hacks. If you wanted to go that route, operators in that 'market' are always willing to cut more corners than you are, so those guys will top trees for a lower price than you can even imagine. Set yourself apart with quality, and you'll find that you never really have to bid against those low-ballers.

Here we go, name calling again. Hey ATH, I top trees under/beside major transmission lines because the people that own the property the r.o.w. is on want them to stay. Its top them or remove them, no other choice. So, I am a hack huh? Same trees get topped every few years, still alive, still growing. Nothing wrong with topping trees for an excellent reason like this, topping trees for a view....I try to talk people into windows. Topping trees cause people are scared...I try to talk them into spiral pruning to reduce windsail. Time and a place for topping trees, think about it before you label.

 

[ropensaddle]

Here we go, name calling again. Hey ATH, I top trees under/beside major transmission lines because the people that own the property the r.o.w. is on want them to stay. Its top them or remove them, no other choice. So, I am a hack huh? Same trees get topped every few years, still alive, still growing. Nothing wrong with topping trees for an excellent reason like this, topping trees for a view....I try to talk people into windows. Topping trees cause people are scared...I try to talk them into spiral pruning to reduce windsail. Time and a place for topping trees, think about it before you label.

No clearance that is not a hack you have no choice in line
clearance and I know you would rather cut those trees.

 

[Canyonbc]

Having some info with you like the ISA brochures on pruning and topping can save you a lot of time and trouble.

Does ISA, have brochures....

And if so does any one have the URL to share???

I do agree, definetly save a lot of time.

 

[Canyonbc]

Here is another vote that you did the right thing

The important question to ask yourself (from a business management standpoint):
Would you rather have a few dollars now our would you rather have the career-long opportunity to command a higher price that comes with a history of professional work?

Act like a hack, and people will always be willing to pay you accordingly - and you will be bidding against other hacks. If you wanted to go that route, operators in that 'market' are always willing to cut more corners than you are, so those guys will top trees for a lower price than you can even imagine. Set yourself apart with quality, and you'll find that you never really have to bid against those low-ballers.

That is what pushed me to running away...not literally but turning it down. I dont want to be a hack, and any ways...in the long run your gonna make more money doing it the long way.

 

[Ekka]

Canyonbc

Now for scientific and psychological studies could you keep an eye on that tree and see if anyone else whacks it. And if they spur it to whack it.

Also, is there any protection orders on the tree, in other words repercussions for whacking it? Coz if there's no financial loss to the whacker then he too will like your decision.

 

[reachtreeservi]

I hate to top a tree. If the customer asks me to top, I explain why it's bad, show them some brochures on pruning and topping , ask if they have Internet access and tell them the ISA URL.

Then if they still want it done, I top it.
3 reasons

1) It's their tree, they own it and can do what they want with it.
2) If I don't, they will still get someone to do it. You can not talk them out of it.
3) The two main rules of business: (a) satisfy the customer (b) never turn down work unless there are safety concerns or there's no profit.

If someone wants to call me a hack, fine.
But that doesn't change the reality of everyday tree work.

Everyone has to do what they think is right.
Canyonbc, If you think not topping is the thing to do, I support your decision.
Personally, Once I inform the customer, then it's their tree and their choice.

 

[Mitchell]

lost an hour of my life today

Ha ha I to lost an hour of my life talking to some Home owners who wanted their big leaf maple topped. I think I might have brought them around.
things are slowing down for myself so I could use the work. However, after going around in circles over the same subject, like you did, chances are the folks would be a pita to work for anyways.

 

[ATH]

Clearance,
Good point on the utility work. I was too narrowly focused in my reply. No offense intended!

I would blame that 'hacking' on the homeowner (who refueses to allow their tree to be removed) more than on the contractor -- assuming the contractor (or utility agency) informed the homeowner that topping isn't a great long-term solution.

However, I would still say you need to determine what market you are in/want to be in and stick with that. Personally, I have no interest in utility work. I know there is plenty of legitimate money to be had there, but I'll let somebody else chase that prize. No, I won't label you the hack in that situation...you are just the guy unfortunate enough to be stuck between a rock and hardplace.

Not that it has any bearing here, but just for kicks, the guys doing utility work around here for the local co-op just so happen to be really 'good' at topping when they do yard trees-no lines involved.

On the other hand, the crews working for the larger electric utility in the area do good work (which unfortunately does involve some pretty ugly looking jobs-but that is the nature of the line clearing beast, no?).

 

[chucknduck]

I'm from a small town where there are only two official tree services, and we are very competative. I know that sometimes if the customer will have it no other way, then I will loose out and the other company will get the job if I decline to top. Now we both do top notch jobs on regular pruning,removals, etc. So, I will top if the price is right, because with only two tree services in town people will use you if you prune correctly on the other 98% of the jobs you do. Sometimes you just have to do what the 'Boss' wants to stay in business

 

[ATH]

Now for scientific and psychological studies could you keep an eye on that tree and see if anyone else whacks it. And if they spur it to whack it.

I never know whether to laugh at or feel sorry for the folks who have been given the correct information and still go for the full-bore useless topping?

 

[tree md]

Sorry if someone has already said this but I wouldn't have my name associated with a "hat racked" tree. If your in it for the long haul, you did the right thing IMHO...

 

[Canyonbc]

Canyonbc

Now for scientific and psychological studies could you keep an eye on that tree and see if anyone else whacks it. And if they spur it to whack it.

Also, is there any protection orders on the tree, in other words repercussions for whacking it? Coz if there's no financial loss to the whacker then he too will like your decision.

Ya...i am def. going too...its 10 min or so from my house, have to drive by every couple weeks. I will report back if anyone does whack at it.

 

[Canyonbc]

http://secure.isa-arbor.com/store/Consumer-Information-Brochures-Package-P93C18.aspx


http://secure.isa-arbor.com/store/Consumer-Education-C18.aspx
Start on page six and go on up. I think they are in bundles of 100.

Thanks TreeCO

I a gonna go check it out now.