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c/arboristsrosel50rosel5018d ago

My uncle told me to never top a pin oak, but the homeowner insisted.

He said it would cause a mess of watersprouts and decay, but the client in Springfield wanted it 'tamed' for a view. Sure enough, six months later it's a tangled, weak mess and they're blaming me. How do you guys handle it when a customer pushes for bad tree work?
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max_price91
Man, I used to think you could talk clients out of it with enough logic. Then I had a silver maple job go exactly like this. The guy wanted it "cleaned up" and I caved. Two years later a storm ripped a huge watersprout right off, smashed his fence. Had to eat the cost and fix it all. Now I just walk away if they insist, pictures or not. Not worth the future headache.
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wesleyc75
wesleyc751d ago
Ever think about how this stuff hits your insurance later? Like if you do a bad prune job you know is wrong, and then it fails, can they come after you for it? The_pat has the right idea with photos for the client, but I keep a whole folder for myself too, just in case. Covers your butt way better than a handshake and a hope.
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the_pat
the_pat18d ago
Ugh, been there. I just show them pictures of topped trees falling apart later, saves the headache.
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