Storm Work & Insurance Question

[Birdyman88]

I think the pictures are good enough to see what's going on. I think it's BS that the neighbor can hold up the tree owner from cleaning up his property in a timely manner. There might be a lawsuit in that somewhere too. I think the piece going onto neighbors house can be kept suspended by wrapping a chain around split at the broken trunk section in a figure 8 (or cinching it on each piece) and binding it down tight while you remove the rest of the lead. If anything, removing the lead will make it lighter and help ensure the chain will keep the limb/trunk from splitting any further. As for the other leader, it doesn't look like its affecting anything on the neighbors side. Downside is that your gonna have to make two trips to get everything completed, but you can work it into price.

We just had to do something similar after a storm, but instead of chaining, we made a prop for the butt of the offending limb using two 10 ft 4x6's with a bolt pivot point, then cut the limb free from the rest of the tree. We used a ratchet strap to hold the butt end of piece to prop. Worked like a charm. We were trying protect two [crappy old] AC units on the neighbors side until their tree service could get out. A prop is probably too short for your scenario, which is why I say chain it.

 

[flushcut]

Maybe the job is not worth it. Or walk away and let them get back to you. I’m guessing you run your own show but often times putting energy into things beyond your control only grows gray hair. Your hands are tied as I see it. Good luck and fortune!

 

[stheis004]

All worked out with this job! Neighbor got back in touch with me a few days ago and was happy to have us move the pieces off his roof and set them on the ground and was totally onboard signing a liability release. Got all of the hazardous stuff done and on the ground yesterday afternoon and now just have some wood and cleanup to do as we ran out of time!

I'm glad it worked out as it did but am also curious how that plays out if everyone doesn't eventually get on the same page. Anyways, thanks for all of your advise, as always this forum is a great resource.

 

[Windrunner]

In our experience with insurance here in Oregon homeowners are basically responsible for what’s on their property. So in this case we would track our hours for each property and bill it that way. In my mind the goal would be cooperation with both your client and the neighbor to get the job done, possibly giving the neighbor an estimate of what there portion would be.

Also in terms of the neighbor telling your client their tree was rotten I think that would have to be writing or even a certified letter with backing from an arborist. I am not a lawyer, but as a tree guy that is my understanding.

 

[Treeaddict]

. He's really believing responsibility is on my customer because the tree is still connected and that he told him the tree was rotten 3 months ago so I think we'd be waiting a long time before his adjuster get out.

Did a certified arborist evaluate the said rot and send a certified letter to the owner informing him of such? Without that letter, it’s just hear say imho