Tree Surgeon?

[tomchampion.livejournal.com]

My neighbor has complained about a tree in the corner of my yard. Planted by the previous owner (we've been here since '99), it's grown over the fence and now shadows (and sheds on) his tomato garden.

I'd like to get a reasonably-priced arboreal professional to devise and execute a plan to trim back the tree to help out my neighbor. At the same time, I'd like it to survive on my side of the fence without looking too funky and lopsided.

Suggestions and referrals are welcome.

Comments

[mperrotti76.livejournal.com]

Should I dare snark Tom Champion? If I do will my phone forever ring at 3 AM announcing faux snow emergencies even in July?

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

Well, you know what happens when you snark Ron. I imagine the end result is something like that, where you're left holding your tattered remnants of your self-worth, weeping.

[jspazzer.livejournal.com]

His side of the fence, his problem.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

I think as Mr. Champion is a public figure, he's trying to be a nice guy. :-)

[jspazzer.livejournal.com]

Tree surgeons ain't cheap. There is being a nice guy and there is paying hundreds or thousands so that your whiny neighbor can grow tomatoes.

Maybe he can use his pull with the city to get the DPW to take care of it.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

Or we could have a "Trim Tom's Tree" meetup.

[tomchampion.livejournal.com]

Having been to only one meet-up, I'm trying to imagine what my tree would look like after my fellow DSLJers went after it with beer, saws and clippers.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

...yeah. Skip the beer.

[ron_newman]

I am curious, though, if the city ever needs to hire a tree surgeon, and if Tom could use their services too.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

Possibly, but I seem to remember that depending on the city there's the potential for weird conflict-of-interest rules to kick in.

[tomchampion.livejournal.com]

There's no conflict of interest when a vendor who does business with the city also does business with a city employee -- PROVIDED that the employee gets no special deal or price break of any kind.

In this case, however the point is moot. The city has an arborist and the trimming/planting/removal work is usually done by city employees.

[csbermack.livejournal.com]

Ask your arborist for a referral? They ought to know the vendors in the area.

[tomchampion.livejournal.com]

Good point, but can't in this case.

[tomchampion.livejournal.com]

Living in the most densely populated community in New England simply requires a higher level of neighborliness.

Snark away -- I can handle it.

BUT DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OR REFERRALS?

I have a plumber I like, a painter I trust, even a mason and at least two carpenter/contractors for whom I have a high professional regard based on actual experience.

But I don't have a tree person. And now I need one.

[fidgetmonster.livejournal.com]

Several years I ago I used Linden Tree (Service?). Linden something-or-other. Best quote I got and they were fast. They weren't as *careful* as I'd like, but that was the worker bees fault, who by now probably don't even work there. I hesitate to recommend someone after so many years, but no one else has said anything yet. And I sympathise with your situation, having hired Linden to take down a suspicious tree that made my neighbour unhappy--but not so unhappy they helped pay the $1100 bill. Also, does your neighbour realise that when tree limbs are cut they do have to fall somewhere? His tomatoes will likely get squashed, so he should be aware of that going in, if you choose to do the work in the summer.

[joylewis.livejournal.com]

Who's your mason? I need to find one of those!

Matt Foti

[ravingwanderer.livejournal.com]

I don't know if they do Somerville, but I used Matt Foti (http://www.fotitree.com/) when I lived in Lexington.

I could use recommendations for a general contractor experienced in working on vintage Somerville homes (heating system replacement is the biggie).

[noradeirdre.livejournal.com]

Tom, we used Sav-A-Tree and we liked them. http://www.savatree.com/tree-removal-ma.html

[tomchampion.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the tip. These folks look fancy. How big was the job you used them for? Do you have a ballparky sense of how much a "short-back-and-sides" for just one measly tree might run me?

[noradeirdre.livejournal.com]

We had to have them do a fairly extensive branch trimming of our big tree and a "short back & sides" for our little tree and it was ~$700. They do a free consultation and as I recall, didn't hard sell it at all. Never bugged us about it, it was up to us to call them to move forward. (which was kind of too bad, because we ended up spacing on it and waiting a year and it cost more the following year, due to more growth.) They were easy to work with so maybe give them a call for a consultation just to get an idea of the scope you're dealing with.

[mderidder.livejournal.com]

I second this. We have used them for extensive tree removal and trimming. Most recently, a huge branch on a huge oak came down and it cost us $1400 for them to take out all the damaged branches in the tree and trim a number of lower branches.

However, we have used them 3 times and have always found they are the least expensive.

SavATree
http://www.savatree.com/
Lowden SavATree
Contact Jeff Brouque

[joylewis.livejournal.com]

My mom (in Texas) used to do this. Is it very difficult? She just used a ladder and a chainsaw...which, now that I write it out, sounds like only someone as crazy as my mom would attempt.

Even so, I would think a handsaw would do it, unless you were talking about a monster tree.

[haptotrope.livejournal.com]

or a japanese pull saw on a pole.

Tie a rope to the branch, and and while cutting it off in pieces, tug on the rope to guide the pieces where you want them to fall. (ie not on your neighbors tomatoes) get your neighbor to help there.

disclaimer:

[haptotrope.livejournal.com]

not liable for any damages to life, limb or property.

[hiddenbear.livejournal.com]

I've used Tom Bringolo twice and been happy with his work.
978-764-2087

[http://users.livejournal.com/_meej_/]

Our landscape architecture firm frequently consults with George Markarian of "Keeping it Green" - 781-727-9659. Feel free to tell him D.J. from CBA recommended him, if he asks.

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

I like Boston Tree Preservation a lot. We haven't used them for tree trimming, but whenever I've called them, they have provided me with all kinds of information, and I felt like I got a little tree education. The people who come to your house and do the actual work have been very knowledgeable, too (and careful with their huge trucks in our narrow driveway).


http://www.bostontreepreservation.com/

[charlwoo.livejournal.com]

I've got to put in a plug for Bransfield Tree: http://bransfieldtree.com/
They removed a maple tree for us from an area with multiple buildings and fences; topping it and dropping it perfectly in seemingly no time at all. Professional work ethic and really knowledgable people.