Tom and many other have done a good job trying to explain this.
The tone Debbie started on the first page was that she came out swinging and not in the mood to hear anything but what her current opinion on topping a pear is.
This started serveral people off on a bad note and it's understandable that Boston reacted the way he did. If I happened to read this thread in the beginning, it may have well been me doing the same.
Flashtop, good analogy on the mechanic and your tone dispite Debbie's offensive tone has prevailed and at least she read it. As others have made good points and she seems to skip over those good points and just discuss the simple things that aren't related to the actual topic.
If her tone was not as it was, more arborist on here would be very kind to her and discuss things much more civilized, but I think she set the tone and seemed like she wanted it that way. That's why she seemed so much like a troll; just trying to start trouble.
I feel pretty good about the things you fellow arborists have said on this thread and I know it would have been much more peaceful if the tone was not set as she started it.
Perhaps being new to a forum, she just needs some experience on how to react to things. If she really wants respectful responses.
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I agree with you Debbie in that I should be allowed to do what I wish with my own property; but within reason.
If I want to hack up my own trees, then I should be able to do so as long as it does not significantly effect others, such as a street tree or a tree that might damage another neighbors property due to the decay I caused.
But, a professional, should refuse to do any tree care that will result in an unsafe tree, or create an unhealthy tree. And the discussion on what creates an unhealthy tree or unsafe tree is what arborist on this site often discuss, because sometimes it isn't so clear.
And I am against creating new laws and big government.
But, I am for laws that help the professionals be in business and perform professional work.
I might do a big bradford pear trimming; complete thinning and crown reduction, removing weak v crotch limbs if possible and possibly bolting for a total price of $650, but then Bobby Joe with his pickup and echo saw can top the tree to a stubby hat rack for $150. The customer in the long run will likely be paying more down the road over the next 20 years with Bobby Joe, cause it seems it needs done every 3 to 4 years and then someday a removal; but at the time, Bobby Joes price looks pretty darn good. But he's selling incorrect tree care. Meanwhile, Bobby Joe with no education or care about proper trimming, is taking potential customers of mine because he is not quoting work to proper standards as I am. If everyone that bid on the pear, quoted an estimate using proper trimming standards, then more of the professionals would be able to stay in business.
Of course, best case is to trim a callery pear as it is growing. make sure it doesn't grow with any v-crotches and mildly thin it out over the years. On this subject, I've had an idea lately. (I dislike bradford pears) but I think I should plant one on my property. Every year or two, take 20 minutes and make a few minor adjustments to it's structure and thickness. (so, what $35-40 worth of work) I am quite confident that I could keep that tree intact and pretty the rest of my human life (without ever topping it or making drastic changes).
That's the problem, people just plant them and let the trees go, then all of a sudden want to make drastic changes when they are huge, thick and full of weak v-crotches that are now often too big to trim out.
However, these huge, thick, v-crotched trees can still be helped with proper thinning, proper crown reductions and removing what weak v-crotches we can. Possibly some hardware added too.
Now, it's very late and I have a huge Tulip Poplar to remove tomorrow (all roping and rigging, no access). By the way, was originally scheduled for trimming, but i discovered a hollow cavity way up in the tree where it was previously topped like 35 years earlier. I spent my time to climb the tree on srt to do the trimming, then discovered the hole and had to abort the job due to discovering the tree was now a hazard. The tops are about 50 foot lengths above the old topping cuts. I'm not exagerating.
But the previous homeowner had the right to have their tree hacked up and done wrong. Thus creating a very unsafe tree for the new homeowner and the neighbors.
How come electricians and plumbers and builders have to be regulated and must perform professional work; ensuring a safe house/environment for the homeowners and future homeowner to come, but tree professionals don't (in some people's opinion)?
If I should be allowed to do what I want with my personal property and things.... then is it okay I have pitbulls and fight them on purpose at dog fights? It's my property, I should be allowed to do what I want with it, even if it jeopardises it's health. As a matter of fact, I should be able to hire a Veterinarian to take my dog to dogfights if I don't have the time to do it myself.
