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Message |
    
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8493
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 2:57 pm: | 
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OK - I got estimates from 3 highly recommended tree services. I chose Maplewood Tree. Bob was very thorough and patient with me as we are trimming 7 large trees and it will be a major job (for tree trimming). We are very concerned that the integrity of these old majesties is maintained along with their safety. I sent the signed contract a month ago.
I understand storm damage. I understand rain. But there have not been that many rainy days with that much storm damage over the last 30 days. I found out last night that they are focusing in Montclair, where more $$$ is to be made on emergency storm damage.
I'm really pissed; I've been more than patient, but I'm trying not to cut off my nose to spite my face by telling them to forget it. It will take me 3-4 weeks to get on someone else's schedule anyway, and no one else had as detailed and thorough a plan for each tree. Does anyone have any insight or connections with these guys?
I'm seriously concerned because some of these trees are vulnerable to storm damage themselves and I'm trying to correct it before it becomes a problem. |
KRNL
Citizen
Username: Krnl
Post Number: 96
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 6:13 pm: |
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I know this doesn't solve your problem, but many of the good tree services also have contracts with local municipalities that relate to emergency storm damage tree work. When we had our trees trimmed a couple of years ago, the tree guy gave us a ballpark estimate of when they could do the work--subject to no major storms that would have to take precedence. Also, when there is storm damage such as the recent storm in Montclair, the tree service companies can charge premium prices for quick service to the affected homeowners. Here in Maplewood I've seen quotes many times the normal rate right after a storm.
I guess what I'm saying is that you've already done the research and are pleased with what they plan to do to your trees, so I'd try to be patient. I've been lucky enough to be at home during the day over the past few years and have witnessed too many incompetent tree services in the area. If you were planning to level (heaven forbid!) your trees, anyone you could get on short notice might be o.k., but as with many things, quality service is worth waiting for. |
argon_smythe
Citizen
Username: Argon_smythe
Post Number: 862
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 9:32 am: |
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There are still people in Montclair who don't even have electricity and have been without it since TUESDAY NIGHT. So I think you should take a deep breath and wait a little longer for the completion of your non-critical tree trimming.
http://www.1010wins.com/pages/59483.php
Posted: Friday, 21 July 2006 7:18AM
MONTCLAIR, N.J. -- Public Service Electric and Gas is still restoring power to little more than one-thousand customers in north Jersey.
About 600 are scattered throughout Essex and Passaic counties. Some 400 are in Montclair, where workers are having difficulty getting through downed trees.
Thunderstorms on Tuesday night knocked out service to 227,000 homes and business in the Garden State.
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Camnol
Citizen
Username: Camnol
Post Number: 420
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 4:28 pm: |
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I had no idea what had happened in Montclair until today. I went to visit a friend and she drove me around to see the damage. It's really amazing. I'm stunned at the number of huge trees down, and amazed that there wasn't more damage to life and property. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8556
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 5:40 pm: |
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I feel for the people in Montclair. But what makes you think that my tree trimming is not critical? Because a leaning, 45' long branch hasn't yet crushed my garage and gone thru my neighbor's roof?
It's been one month. Montclair ain't been down that long.
Sheesh. |
NJguy99
Citizen
Username: Njguy99
Post Number: 64
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 6:48 pm: |
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Greenetree -
I know your pain. I hired Tree Tech to take down two trees hanging dangerously over my house and trim a couple others. At the time, the estimator said they'd have a crew out in a week, week and a half tops.
Well, that was also a month ago. I kept calling the office, and they kept saying someone would get back to me. Kept calling, kept getting the same answer.
I finally left a very angry message saying I was about to cancel the contract because it was obvious they didn't want my business and - guess what! - they actually responded and said they'd be out this coming Tuesday.
The weather has been bad, yes - but that's no excuse. I'd keep calling until they come out, and then be done with it. Hopefully, you won't have to hire another trimmer for quite a while. |
argon_smythe
Citizen
Username: Argon_smythe
Post Number: 866
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 4:19 pm: |
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Sorry to elicit a "sheesh." Believe it or not I was trying to be helpful because it certainly sounded like you didn't understand the actual situation in Montclair. You pretty much said as much.
I imagine most people would see that trees actually down and preventing emergency crews from restoring electrical power, especially in the middle of a heat wave, makes a tree which is standing, even if it has the potential to fall and inflict damage, non-critical in comparison.
Whatever happened the last 20-some days before your post, I have no idea, but the day of your post, the situation described in the news story I linked was underway.
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greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8690
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 4:35 pm: |
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Well, this is my thought on the matter: they made a committment. They are not the only game in town. I have seen plenty of tree services out in my neighborhood working in the past week and a half.
I was specifically told that they have decided to concentrate on emergency work because they can charge so much more. They have, in fact, sent all their crews to Montclair thru next week.
I called the office and left several messages. The woman answering the phone says "someone will call you back." She never told me that they have all their crews committed and there is no way that I will have my work done in the next week. I have to wait 4 days to be called back for that. I have been given three start dates. All three have been postponed "for a few days" but no one has called me back. I went from being "today, for sure" to "I hope next week."
It is not a matter of being the only ones who can do Montclair and "helping people". It is a matter of choosing not to honor contracts because they got a better deal. It is pure greed and short-sightedness.
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mtierney
Citizen
Username: Mtierney
Post Number: 950
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 5:01 pm: |
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We had a huge pin oak taken down last month. It looked the picture of health, however it had begun listing to one side, close to house and driveway. It was subtle and I'm not sure if the list was a long time coming.
We had Carew Tree from Maplewood. He checked the tree and found that at the base, there was a hole which he could insert 3/4 quarters of a yardstick through!
Still, we had to wait some 3 weeks. Another problem is the availability of those huge cranes. Carew had to "make a reservation" for the crane for the day in question and, of course, any bad rain, emergencies, etc. would account of more delays
We definitely need additional trimming work elsewhere, but we're trying to absorb the $$$$$ the pin oak cost. |
AngelaK
Citizen
Username: Angelak
Post Number: 63
Registered: 7-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 7:24 pm: |
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I recently used Frank's Tree Service to have 2 trees removed (mulberry that was squishing the garage roof and holly growing right next to the house covering at least 1/3 of the front), 2 bush stumps ground, and one big pine trimmed away from the house. I got a timely estimate, a reasonable price, and work scheduled/performed within 2 weeks of making my deposit. The work was done last week. |
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4621
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 7:55 pm: |
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Greentree,
Walk across the street to NJoseph's house.
A year or so back he purchased a chain saw and he and I did all his big trees in prepration for the pool.
Later,
George |
cwalk
Citizen
Username: Cwalk
Post Number: 89
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 10:51 am: |
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Greentree-- I agree with you. Compassion and understanding are one thing. A contract is quite another. I think it has happened to all of us at one point or another where you get the distinct feeling they the contractor doesn't really want/need your business and just has a problem "breaking up with you". So instead they just don't return calls which seems like the passive agressive way to get you to cancel the contract and go with someone else. I find the whole process very strange but I am learning.
However, given the current situation you may want to wait it out. I am more the "cut off your nose to spite your face type" therefore I would cancel the contract immediately. The company I've used all this time has been great. Yes, they have postponed appts. but not often. Believe it or not, I have them in ,my palm pilot as "WOOD" because they also deliver my wood each year LOL. I don't remember their name but the number is: 973-887-5600. Good luck and I don't think reliable service is too much to ask or at the very least a little honesty to let you know that YES they got your phone call and NO they will not be out anytime soon! |
cwalk
Citizen
Username: Cwalk
Post Number: 90
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 10:56 am: |
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Greentree-- I agree with you. Compassion and understanding are one thing. A contract is quite another. I think it has happened to all of us at one point or another where you get the distinct feeling they the contractor doesn't really want/need your business and just has a problem "breaking up with you". So instead they just don't return calls which seems like the passive agressive way to get you to cancel the contract and go with someone else. I find the whole process very strange but I am learning.
However, given the current situation you may want to wait it out. I am more the "cut off your nose to spite your face type" therefore I would cancel the contract immediately. The company I've used all this time has been great. Yes, they have postponed appts. but not often. Believe it or not, I have them in ,my palm pilot as "WOOD" because they also deliver my wood each year LOL. I don't remember their name but the number is: 973-887-5600. Good luck and I don't think reliable service is too much to ask or at the very least a little honesty to let you know that YES they got your phone call and NO they will not be out anytime soon! |
J L Bryant
Citizen
Username: Jeffbryant
Post Number: 24
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 11:36 am: |
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greentree - did the 'wait' gamedance w/ Maplewood Tree for over five years. Generally pleased w/ what they did when they did it, but.... man, consistent(contractual or not) commitment from them? not.... (and I really REALLY liked Bob too!!).
Had enough... Switched to Family Tree Service. Efficient, punctual & price competitive. 973 678-8888. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8826
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 4, 2006 - 9:36 am: |
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I guess that there are no more trees left in Montclair. Bob & crew were at my house as I left for work this morning. I left them a cooler full of sodas. My yard will be beautiful for Memfest tomorrow night.
Either that or they'll accidentally drop a big oak in the middle of the yard and we'll have a pig roast in the pit it creates.....
Just in case: where does one get a pig, anyway? |
babymakes3
Citizen
Username: Babymakes3
Post Number: 31
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Friday, August 4, 2006 - 4:30 pm: |
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So glad to stumble upon this thread. Was going to post about Tree serv ice recommendations, as we have placed multiple calls to Maplewood Tree for estimates, but have gotten no return calls - and this wa with using a referral name.
I will happily call Frank's Tree Service, the 'WOOD' guy and Family Tree Service. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8852
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 4, 2006 - 7:08 pm: |
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There will be no pig roast.
I have to say that they did a beautiful job. Not a speck of anything out of place. And they did exactly everything just as we discussed. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4912
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 4, 2006 - 7:26 pm: |
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I have a funny Maplewood Tree story.
When I was pregnant with number 2 my husband had been calling and calling to get them to come out and spray our hemlocks. They never returned his calls.
I have the baby, and after being in the hospital for a week with a premie, I'm finally home. The 2 yo and newborn are asleep, it's about 8am. Phone rings (sleepy raspy voice) "Uhm, hello?"
"Hi,Maplewood Tree, calling about your hemlocks!"
"my husband has been calling and calling! I just got home from the hospital! I am finally getting some sleep! Why are you calling me now!"
So, they came and sprayed our trees.
(And then in a bad storm a few years later the hemlocks fell and hit the house!) |
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