Tree deals (ones that warm your heart)

Trimmed dead from a birch (and cleaned up a deck and side yard) for a fragile couple in their way late 80's - kept all the branch cuts from brushing the roof as requested (roof 's on it's last leg) and the wife got so choked up how clean the deck was and how her tree looked (put the birdhouses back way up) that she came out with plates and plates of homemade cookies. Went home with a big tin of cookies that was still bit warm when I got home. To this day I'll never forget their faces at the end of the work.
 
This year we did a huge Silver Maple removal in trade for the customer putting a used replacement engine in our Isuzu NPR truck. The engine has a hole in the oil pan and smokes terribly on startup. I found out later that my buddy also paid the guy cash on top of the job. Two days for 4 guys plus cash. Bad deal for us in my opinion.
 
This year we did a huge Silver Maple removal in trade for the customer putting a used replacement engine in our Isuzu NPR truck. The engine has a hole in the oil pan and smokes terribly on startup. I found out later that my buddy also paid the guy cash on top of the job. Two days for 4 guys plus cash. Bad deal for us in my opinion.
Ouch. Insult to injury -reminder every time the truck starts
 
It was time to move from a pager to cell phone. A buddy of mine ran an irrigation company and was ready to upgrade from the Motorola Brick.

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We worked out a deal that was acceptable to both of us. My climber and I spent 3 hours each pruning his elm in trade for the phone. Both of us got a good deal in the trade. Now, its a funny currency/labor conversion to value the trade.
 
It was time to move from a pager to cell phone. A buddy of mine ran an irrigation company and was ready to upgrade from the Motorola Brick.

View attachment 92121

We worked out a deal that was acceptable to both of us. My climber and I spent 3 hours each pruning his elm in trade for the phone. Both of us got a good deal in the trade. Now, its a funny currency/labor conversion to value the trade.
I wonder if those bricks are collectibles these days.
 
In the early '90s several of us who owned companies in the area participated in an Arbor Day pruning project. The first site was the county historical society office and grounds and over the next several years did projects at other non-profit sites. I have always participated in and have organized projects like this. I have never missed a Saluting Branches event and always enjoy giving back in this way.
 
There are a total of 6 houses on my street. As a general rule I don't charge my neighbours for most tree work as one day I'll probably ask them for a favour (today you, tomorrow me mentality). I've done work for all but one of them. No one has ever seen a bill. I've had cases of beer left by my back door, envelopes of cash, baked goods, etc. But by far the two most meaningful exchanges are a small painting of me pruning a pine tree in my neighbour's yard and a knit blanket for my newborn son. Some things are priceless.
 
I earned some time from some pruning work and roof cleaning at someone family cabin on the Puget Sound when we spent time there in exchange for some last minute cat sitting at their cabin. The family members are older and definitely not ladder and roof people, anymore. The roof and gutters was an extra surprise for them.
 
Traded some tree work for a free weekend stay in a whole house Airbnb owned by a friend up North here in Michigan. Made some nice memories between our families and had some great home cooked meals. Not too shabby for doing something I love to do anyways!
What town? I used to live in bid rapids Michigan, lots is scenic towns up there to enjoy!
 

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