topic Re: Landscaper I've Used For Years in Community Chat

Landscaper I've Used For Years

Catty2 — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 02:04:20 GMT

I've used the same landscaping company for many years to do general yard clean-up. They do a good job and mail an invoice, which is a nice feature. Today they were supposed to trim one side of a big tree in my backyard because it was starting to touch the house. After they left I went outside and they trimmed the whole tree, way back. It was such a pretty tree, very full, provided great shade and privacy. Now it's got lots of gaps where they removed branches. I was so heartsick and called the owner of the company. She knew I only wanted the one side trimmed and said she would write it on the order. I told her I was so disappointed to go out and see the tree so severaly cut back. Also that I hoped I wouldn't be charged for it since she knows this isn't what I requested. She said she'll talk to them and ask why and let me know. Who knows if that will happen. Just had to vent here. I'm hoping with time the tree will grow some smaller branches and fill out again but it won't look like it used to.

Re: Landscaper I've Used For Years

mousiegirl — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 02:11:52 GMT

@Catty2 wrote:
I've used the same landscaping company for many years to do general yard clean-up. They do a good job and mail an invoice, which is a nice feature. Today they were supposed to trim one side of a big tree in my backyard because it was starting to touch the house. After they left I went outside and they trimmed the whole tree, way back. It was such a pretty tree, very full, provided great shade and privacy. Now it's got lots of gaps where they removed branches. I was so heartsick and called the owner of the company. She knew I only wanted the one side trimmed and said she would write it on the order. I told her I was so disappointed to go out and see the tree so severaly cut back. Also that I hoped I wouldn't be charged for it since she knows this isn't what I requested. She said she'll talk to them and ask why and let me know. Who knows if that will happen. Just had to vent here. I'm hoping with time the tree will grow some smaller branches and fill out again but it won't look like it used to.

@Catty2 I watch tree companies like a hawk when they are pruning my trees, don't trust them, like hair stylists, want to chop everything off.

Re: Landscaper I've Used For Years

Sweetbay magnolia — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 02:14:57 GMT

Things like that make me heartsick, too.

I've been in the L/S business for many years. Pruning is a skilled art, often underappreciated and considered not worthy of $$$.

I wish I could have been there for you, to have stopped them in their tracks. You may consider finding a good arborist to help decide what to do next.💚

Re: Landscaper I've Used For Years

lovesrecess — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 02:19:52 GMT

I totally understand how you are feeling; our next door neighbors had a huge tree that bordered our front yard cut down to the ground while we were at work one day....it was a huge shade tree that was 40 years old...it provided all the shade and privacy on one side of our house and part of the front yard. I was also heartsick. I still am not used to the glaring sun and bare area where it used to be.... At least the spaces in your tree will fill in eventually; sounds like the workers either weren't very well trained or just weren't careful about how they did their job. You shouldn't be charged for that at all.

Re: Landscaper I've Used For Years

jannabelle1 — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 02:19:53 GMT

@Catty2, how maddening that they did such a poor job with your tree. We've had a similar experience and I can't believe how their 30 to 60 minutes of "pruning" can ruin a tree that provided so much shade and privacy. I learned that I can't allow any tree pruning without being there to watch what is going on. Somehow the instructions just don't always get passed down to the people who are doing the work. It's just maddening.

Re: Landscaper I've Used For Years

Ifeelwicked — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 02:31:37 GMT

I adore my trees so, that back in the day come trimming time, I would practically need sedation! LOL But that was years ago, and I have since learned that a reputable company knows what they are doing. And though your instructions weren’t followed, and I’m sorry about that, I’m willing to bet your tree comes back more beautiful than ever, and much quicker than you would imagine! That has been my experience anyway. It has been 15 years since my last “snit” 😜 and my same tree trimmers still laugh bc now I’m usually not even home when they come. So please don’t worry. I’m anxious to hear, down the road, the result. I’m betting you’ll be pleased. 😊

Re: Landscaper I've Used For Years

Kachina624 — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 03:17:41 GMT

I never fully trust landscapers to do what I want and frequently check on them as they work. I always ask the person in charge to check in with me before they leave.

Re: Landscaper I've Used For Years

GCR18 — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 03:19:11 GMT

I coordinate all the landscaping at my mother's house. I live out of state, so I try to arrange that they come while I'm there. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. When I do see them, I take the lead person and walk them around the yard. My issue is they don't cut enough.

I think after a year or two, your tree will start to fill in. Wish you luck getting everything straightened out.

Re: Landscaper I've Used For Years

Daisy Sunflower — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 03:32:13 GMT

@Catty2 wrote:
She said she'll talk to them and ask why and let me know. Who knows if that will happen. Just had to vent here. I'm hoping with time the tree will grow some smaller branches and fill out again but it won't look like it used to.

As if asking them why they did that would help matters -- or make you feel better.

Sorry that happened to you. I'd be upset, too.

Re: Landscaper I've Used For Years

shoekitty — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 04:10:41 GMT

I would go bullistic, no kidding. If they are severly trimmed at the wrong time, it can kill them. I am so nit-picky with trimming. I agree with poster who said it was an under appreciated art. It is an art, with a great deal of skill....and a love for what they do. I have the best tree trimmer ever, and now I see why the best often charge a bit more. People comment all the rime on the gorgeous shape of my trees, especially the walnut and maples. I live in california, and it is over 350 -400 to trim the huge walnut. He scales that tree, and manicures the darn thing, my husband and I secretly comment, he is going to get the 3 inch manicure scissors out any moment. . He is young, about 28 or so, his family was in the business, but he also got an arborist license. We are afraid of him aging, because he won't be scaling those trees. In 10 years like he does now.

i think you really need to love and care about the trees and have an artists eye. Jmho

Re: Landscaper I've Used For Years

Catty2 — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 04:22:46 GMT

It's dark now and I just went out in the yard with my dog and took another look. How crazy that "trim the side that's touching the house" turned into trim the whole tree way back. I wish I would have walked by the patio door when they were starting on the tree. It really took me hours to calm down from this. And tomorrow I'm having a medical procedure done so I've been anxious all day anyway. Thanks for listening.

Re: Landscaper I've Used For Years

hopi — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 04:33:21 GMT

@Catty2

Hope your medical procedure goes smoothly and you can relax this evening. Your tree will grow back. Totally understand your frustration.

Re: Landscaper I've Used For Years

Ifeelwicked — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 04:37:31 GMT

Well, Catty2, if you weren’t upset enough before, you probably are now. Holy cow, people! Years to grow back?? Give me a break. I have 27 trees, everything from fruit; avocado, tangerine, lemon to palms, magnolias, peppers, oaks, coral, and maples. All our thriving! All are CUTBACK and shaped beautifully in the fall and by early to late spring are full and perfect! And by cutback I mean completely “see through!” (And yes, as I stated I went nuts the FIRST time. It was a shock. 15 years later with the same EXPERIENCED company they are perfect.) What I don’t get is all the “shade” (pardon the pun) and distrust thrown at tree trimmers? “They all just want to chop too much, like hairdressers!!” OMG!!!! 🤣 If that’s truly how negatively you feel about hairdressers and tree trimmers, that’s on you! More research is clearly needed on your part before the hiring process. There are wonderful professionals out there. Look a little harder. And Catty2, I still say it’s going to be fine. Maybe better than fine! Honest. It’ll take a little time, but you’ll see. Take a deep breath and enjoy the rest of your week. 😊

Re: Landscaper I've Used For Years

Snoopp — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 05:36:09 GMT

I had a bad experience with a tree being over pruned and I thought I would lose the tree. It truly looked awful. I think you aren't supposed to prune more than 1/3 or something like that, I forget. Anyway, the company I had hired to prune probably did not have skilled workers to do the job, they removed branches on another tree and damaged a screen while letting them hit the house.

I fertilized the damaged tree and within 2 or 3 years it recovered and looks better today.

Re: Landscaper I've Used For Years

Lilysmom — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 08:39:31 GMT

@lovesrecess, I was thinking about moving a tree until I saw how much shade it was providing from our bedroom window. I left it alone.

@Catty2, it will probably rejuvenate. I am often surprised at Mother Nature’s pruning. I lost half of a beautiful red maple last winter and new growth is already taking place in that section of the tree. LM

Re: Landscaper I've Used For Years

Nataliesgramma — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 09:53:04 GMT

I had that happen to me about 10 years ago....it did grow back, but like a bad haircut.....seams like it takes forever...

Re: Landscaper I've Used For Years

software — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 11:40:37 GMT

There's a difference between pruning a fruit tree and trimming an overgrown shade tree.

The house next door to me is owned by a corporation and it stays rented most of the time. Once when it was vacant, I had a tree service come and trim all the branches hanging over my property, close to my house. They hesitated at first, 1. because it wasn't my tree and 2. trimming only one side can weaken the tree and make it off balance and subject to falling in bad weather.

I told them what I wanted specifically, they gave me a price and I merrily went to work. When I got home, they had done exactly what i asked. The tree is pretty ugly but there are no branches hanging over my house.

The landscapers may have done you a favor. I hope your tree grows back bigger and more beautiful.

@Catty2

Re: Landscaper I've Used For Years

PINKdogWOOD — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 12:54:58 GMT

One bad pruning job gives arborists and/or landscapers a very bad name.

Pruning is definitely an artform and if the person doing the pruning really doesn't understand how trees and shrubs grow or should grow to the best of their ability one pruning job can destroy the look and growth pattern. It's sad to say but many just do not care because they have not been to school to be taught and learn the fine art of perfect proper pruning. Then there are those who have been taught but still just do not care.

My DH has his degree in hort, all phases of first learning the proper latin names of plants, trees, flowers, species, then proper ways to plant what goes together, is it sunny, shady or both, what grows proper in the area, how to plant properly, how to prune properly. He is one of a very few who knows the plant world, knows and understands plant life. He is a master at what he does and has the degrees and certificates to prove his knowledge. DH absolutely cringes when lay people call themselves 'master gardeners' when they are not. He cringes at the practices many do to plants, trees.

It is truly unfortunate when one needs pruning and landscaping taken care of and you think you're getting just the right company to touch your living growing beauties in your yard when it ends up the ones you phoned knows nothing.

Re: Landscaper I've Used For Years

Ms tyrion2 — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 14:33:19 GMT

I understand it can be distressing to see a shade tree trimmed way back, but often it's necessary. Here in AZ, you must have shade trees trimmed and thinned considerably in order for them to withstand monsoon storms. If the tree is too thick, the wind cannot pass through the branches and the tree will go down.

I know this is true. Several years ago I had a beautiful multi trunk mesquite tree go down in a microburst. Trust me, it's much more heartbreaking to lose the tree completely than to live with a "skinny" tree for a few months.

Your tree will be healthier and more beautiful because of the trimming.

Re: Landscaper I've Used For Years

chrystaltree — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 14:55:47 GMT

Perhaps there was a reason why they thought they had to trim the whole tree. They are the experts in this and after the harsh winters we have had lately and now all the wind and rain, there have been problems with trees and tree branches. If that is the case, they should have spoken to you first. It's tree, of course it will fill out again. Honestly, after the deaths from falling tree limbs that we've seen recently, I'd be happy that they erred on the side of caution. Just this morning a man almost bought the farm when a big tree on his property fell and demolished his truck. Another minute or two and he would have been inside the truck. He was still shaking when the news people interviewed him. A couple of days ago, a man was killed while he was in bed when a tree limb snapped and crashed into his house.