Upset Members

its not that I live in a world free of Grey. I am a realist. if a CA tells me that he tops trees because the cutomer says it looks better! that's hack work!

I do LC at least 2 weeks out of evry month, in the winter more like 3-4 weeks. every aspect from trimming services to mowing and side clearing tie lines. I fully understand that in extreme situations and rare occasions trees are topped and NOONE is happy about it, especially not the CA on site.

maybe the trees are different in the midwest and the techniques as well?
 
Hey Drama...Chill the f out!

These guys are just doing their job, it ain't pretty, but someone has to do it. Better for everyone if its a certified arborist, no?
 

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[ QUOTE ]
Hey Drama...Chill the f out!

These guys are just doing their job, it ain't pretty, but someone has to do it. Better for everyone if its a certified arborist, no?

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I guess you're right. I would much rather have a hack be certified than not. in this instance Greg the customer isn't right! would you top a tree in YOUR city just because a constituent said they preferred the look of that rather than having it directional pruned away from their building?

you'll never convince me that topping should be done on the regular like it was stated a page or so back right here.
 
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its not that I live in a world free of Grey. I am a realist. if a CA tells me that he tops trees because the cutomer says it looks better! that's hack work!


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I think your head might be full of oatmeal. You got 2 choices, tree either gets trimmed/topped or removed. One or the other is going to happen for sure. It shouldn't matter if the pope himself tops the damn tree, topping is hack work but it has to be done if the customer says no to removal. Not much else you can do with it.

In reality they could pretty much all be cut down, provided the utility has an easement.
 
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its not that I live in a world free of Grey. I am a realist. if a CA tells me that he tops trees because the cutomer says it looks better! that's hack work!


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I think your head might be full of oatmeal. You got 2 choices, tree either gets trimmed/topped or removed. One or the other is going to happen for sure. It shouldn't matter if the pope himself tops the damn tree, topping is hack work but it has to be done if the customer says no to removal. Not much else you can do with it.

In reality they could pretty much all be cut down, provided the utility has an easement.

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read the whole thread!

I am upset that this guy tops not because theres no other option, but that customers tell him to so he does. he says they don't want directional pruning. I say if theres a way to irectional prune, do it. customers opinions only go so far on the subject of proper pruning techniques round these parts.
 
Bull, my utility does not top if there an alternative but unfortunately we're dealing with the trees that had been topped in the past and are all sprouts. We don't do crown restoration. I try and have directional pruning stared when the trees are young and below the phone/cable lines where possible, this week found some oaks and locust that will be ideal for this, unfortunately I also found about 20 pines directly under the lines that give me no choice but to try and remove or if not, top. I will talk to the customer(s) to try and obtain removals and talk about the negatives of topping. I realize topping can create further hazards over time but the main hazard we're trying to prevent is the electrical one, the other take a back seat. The next time I am through this area I will ask again for removals, I have no fear in asking. I personally appreciated your questions and points, made me think of what more can I do. Thanks for beating the dead horse. Work safe.
 
BB, if you have to resort to name calling on here, it shows your lack of professionalism and serious lack of debating skills as well. I have come on here and tried to explain to you why we do what we do, but you are just like the customers that refuse to listen to us about proper trimming. You will not even give an open ear as well.

Oh and BB, you do not have a clue as to what we do. Really you do not. You might do this "Part Time". But you are a contractor, not the utility so you know not what you speak of.

So with nothing being productive in this thread I am done with it.
 
Sir,

I gave you an open ear. you sppit your drivle into. I asked why trees were topped so regularly, you said because uncle cletus done did it that way. you also said that customers prefered the look of topping compared to directional pruning. if given the choice, as a CA, I see no reason not to directional prune. granted I am a contractor and you are a utility employee. I do not believe that changes things as far as customers, trees, and general pruning practices go. you said yourself that rip was out there and taken aback by the amount of topping. that concerns me and shows a lack of Arboricultural education in that area.

have a good day sir, be safe, and merry christmas!

PM me if you would like to speak to me via phone on any of the above issues, or any other phacets of utitlity work.
 
I would hope most utility arborists make a great attempt for proper arboriculture, may be true is some areas and not in others. The utility generally sets that standards of how the work is to be performed. The utility arborists that have posted here have said the make every attempt to do so and to educate the customer. Out in the field the modern utility arborist is faces with damage done by past practices, some of which became acceptable to our customers. How hard is it for you to educate your customers, I imaging you have the ones that want the tree topped as well. We unfortunately do not have the option to walk away from a job, and unfortunately the higher ups outside of our department do not have the understanding of proper arboriculture practices when the customer calls and complains. I read in other posted that the proper thing is to walk away, and you mention the liability that may exist with topping, but the first priority is safety, then the electrical hazards and then proper tree care. We as a group may be guilty of not putting enough emphasis on educating the management outside of our groups. Directional pruning is a great tool that I try to have done on younger smaller trees before they become a problem, other utilities may not see the need to prune trees that are not a problem now or have the budget (higher ups once again). We have grown in the right direction and still have a ways to go.

I am very happy to hear that the utility that you contract to really encourages proper tree care and must put a lot of time into education. Sounds like you may have municipal and/or state regulations on tree care that help you. If you do not mind me asking could you PM me what utility you contract to as I would like to look up info on their program.
 
great post! yes the utilities, plural, that we contract for have very high standards for us. some are more aggressive than others. one imparticular wants 3-6' on hendrix. while another wants 15' in every direction! this is to save money and be on a 5-7 year cycle. every town, pretty much, in MA has a tree warden. he sets the rules along with the utility and state.

like I said before I completely understand that topping is unfortunately the only option in some cases. os it a common accepted practice? NO! I am upset by the fact that the OP regards it as such and says there are no other options. those two trees that were posted had other options, the cycle before this one or maybe even earlier was where the damage was done. its unfortunate and sad.

I can assure you that if that happened in our town(s) that we cover we wouold have a phone call from the town/homeowner/lawyer before the end of the day. we are expected to prune to the standard. any topping/stubbing/removal has to be approved by the utility/homeowner/treewarden. we have strict policies for when we have to veer off the pruning program and take different actions. this is common in our state, and most of new england.
 
The bowl of oatmeal is getting bigger.
shakinghead.gif
 
I think he was elaborating on his previous post where he said your head is full of oatmeal. (I gotta admit I LMAO, Ima hafta use that line)

Problem is (as I see it) you Mr. Bull, hold yourself and others to high standards. Most people just muddle through and go along to get along. IMHO that is where the disconnect is in this enthralling conversation...
 
some people float through life just getting by, others not so much. some are in arboriculture for a paycheck, some for the trees. stanley longstaff has a quote that could be used here doesn't he?
 
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some people float through life just getting by ...

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My favorite summertime activity is floating down a river on an innertube.


To top or not to top. That is the question. What if the question was posed to ask whether or not the right tree is in the right place.

I don't mean to stick my enormous nose into the utility forum, but I have the utmost respect for the job that utility LC guys and girls have to do. It's not easy dealing with the general public, and the balancing act never ends.

Stick to your guns, try to do what's right. Keep the power meter running for the utility execs.


SZ
 
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