Fellow Hometalker Needs a Pick-Me-Up

Question

Yesterday, some contractors dropped a huge, dead, pinetree from my (vacant) neighbor's yard, across the street, into my yard.  It knocked off a big branch of one of my Japenese Maples and crushed a couple of hostas and small azalea bushes.  Not to mention, it smashed the cable box messing up my internet, phone and TV connections.  Of course Comcast can't come out until Friday.

They apologized and cleaned up the best they could.  I know they didn't mean to drop it on my yard .. .they meant to drop it in the street.  I've never seen someone take down a tree by tieing a rope to a tractor and pulling (of course they cut a slice out first).

Anyway, I don't think it's enough damage to make alot of noise about but I feel ... violated.  Like a bully came along and stomped on my science project.  It still works, just not as great as it was ... money won't bring it back or make me feel better ... and it will probably recover ... but I'm still pouting about it.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

The rope and tractor are supposed to make it ( the falling tree)  do exactly what you want.  It sounds like they were a bit new to this trick.  A number of years ago I cut down about 50 trees in my yard.  A handful (7) were technical drops (ie: close to the house power lines, shed etc) a tree service wanted $100 per tree just to drop them.  I set up ropes and the cable from the winch on my truck and dropped them myself.  ( this was after all of the other were cut so my lumber jack skills were freshly honed.

on a few of them I did I did some serious 'limbing' first to reduce the trees falling 'foot print' its a lot of work but worth it.  Your neighbor's crew took a few short cuts and it bit you in the butt...or more precisely in your maple, TV box and flowers.

Sorry to hear about your damage, but perhaps with the 'baby' maples you seem to produce quite often you can fill some of the gaps in the canopy.

Maria D. M · Answer

we're they bonded? they should have some kind of check for you for all that damage. Sometimes it pays to be a (busy body) asking all kinds of questions. Good Luck

Teresa D · Answer

@KMS  They said it was more rotted on one side.  Just glad no one was standing in that area.  I thought they should have all had on safety gear.  Only the guy who cut the tree with the chainsaw had on a hard hat.  Good idea about the baby maples.  No one ever came and got the 2 I offered a month or so ago.  I could probably move one there but it would be some time before it fills in the gap.

@Maria   I'm considering calling just to put on record, what happened just in case I have problems later.  They said the tree wouldn't die as a result of that branch being ripped off the way it was but what do I know?  I believed them.  My hostas are still there .. just flat.  Go figure, they are the few that did well this year.

I guess I'm glad the tree is gone and it didn't fall in the street while kids were playing.

Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage · Answer

We have had numerous huge trees (I live in Oregon) removed from our property. Every one has been removed by professionals for this exact reason. You are due damages. Plant replacement at the least. You can be nice as pie, but you are due compensation. We only uses bonded, insured professionals for tree removal, it's too dangerous not to. Like you said, thank goodness no one was hurt!!

Linda @ it all started with paint · Answer

If it makes you feel better, mother nature took down a huge tree-sized branch from the tree across the street and it landed smack dab on my husband's new (used) Solara convertible and totaled it ... so I've been paying car payments on a car that was sent to a chop shop for parts ... plus a new replacement Solara.  And the tree belongs to the city of Chicago but since it was 'an act of nature' they won't pay ...

Dee W · Answer

Oh, Theresa-I am sorry this happened to you and your tree.  I don't like confrontation but I do think it is a good idea for you to call, or at least write and send pictures of what has happened.  Keep copies of the pics and any calls or correspondence that goes on.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

That is why they have insurance to fix the damage that they create. If your not satisfied do not feel bad asking them to make it right again. If they are not living up to their responsibilities for what they did, by fixing everything the way it was, contact your insurance company. They will get it fixed for you and chase down the contractor to get them to pay. 
No one wants to damage anybody's property, but it does happen, When it does they should be bending over backwards fixing what they damaged.  Perhaps you can make them feel bad enough to remove that dish in your tree you spoke about a few weeks ago.

Dee W · Answer

@Woodbridge,  good idea about the dish--go for it Theresa.  Really, after thinking about it some more you may incur some charges from Comcast.  These should be paid by the tree company-not you.  Good Luck and let us know how it works out for you.

Z · Answer

I'm with the others that said you are due compensation for their accident. It's no different than an auto accident. It wasn't done on purpose, but you still get compensated for damages incurred from the party at fault. I'm so sorry about your maple and other damages.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

@ Linda...Hubby's Solara should be covered under his comprehensive insurance?

Teresa D · Answer

Thanks everyone.  I took pictures and called them.  They didn't offer any compensation and I didn't know what to ask for.  They acknowledged that Japanese Maples can be sensitive and said they would come by and look at it again and see if it needs to be pruned.  It doesn't need to be pruned.  I just don't want it to die.  My hosta and azalea will recover, I'm sure.  I'm more concerned about the tree.

Carroll A · Answer

They at the least should be paying your cable repair bill. I am sure comcast will not come out for free to check it. And talk to the person that comes out to look at the tree, make sure he/she knows what they are doing (an arborist) and it's not the maintenance guy that has a pair of trimmers. The real damage to the tree might not show up right away.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

From the photos you provided, some work needs to be done to these branches. You cannot leave that much exposed wood without bark without having some sort of future issue with the tree and trunk area. 
Get a pro in there that does work with trees and get them to tell you what needs to be done properly. Also be sure to contact your insurance agent right away. You do not want a storm to blow through and loose the chance to get those who did the damage to pay.  
I understand that its often hard to go after someone that did not damage your property deliberately, but they should be insured for things just like that and they should be willing to stand up and do what is right. Your property has been damaged as a result of their negligence and they need to man up and do what is right.

My personal opinion, they do not have insurance.  But that is not your concern at this time.

Bob

KMS Woodworks · Answer

I agree with woodbridge on the 'exposed' limb stubs...while trees are not prone to infection the way mammals are those open 'wounds' need to be treated by an arborist.

Susan S · Answer

Also Teresa, DO NOT sign any sort of release and I'd say wait at least til next summer to see if the maple rebounds.  Sometimes damage doesn't show up or start to develop for several months.  I would not let them off the hook!!  Any idiot removing a tall tree should have enough sense to be able to calculate how tall it is and go 'OH gee, maybe we should top this puppy out first - else it's gonna go in the neighbor's yard'!!  Dumb _ _ _ (exepletive warranted here).  I would write a letter (you need written proof you contacted the company and also phone them.  Keep a log of calls and correspondence and assure them you want follow-thru from them!!

Cantera Magic Stone, LLC · Answer

Even if not to much damage was done you should keep in mind that it can happen again to other people with the same tree company, I am not so sure they are PRO...
I would definitively do something about it even if the damage was not big, I would do something about it so the tree company pays more attention for next time...

KMS Woodworks · Answer

you might also want to check with the BBB and see if they have a history like this...at least get something on record there as well.

Teresa D · Answer

I guess I'll look into an arborist when I get back in town.  I'm in Indy visiting my mom right now.  By the way, Comcast didn't charge anything.  I guess my next door neighbor was out of service as well.  They came out and fixed the box the next day.  I guess since it was a box that served more than one customer, they don't charge for the repair.  Or maybe they are going after the tree company themselves for reimbursement.

@KMS, I checked BBB and they are not registered.  There is also no history of complaints against them.  I found 1 positive review for them when I surfed the net for their company but nothing else.

Thanks again guys!  Great advice and things I would not have thought of.  I knew I would find understanding here.  Love Hometalk!

Designs by BSB · Answer

Late coming it.. just wanted to *hug* you!  This is so unfortunate!  Sounds unprofessional and they should have liability insurance... good luck and have a wonderful visit with your Mom!

Aspadistra Pronk · Answer

As others have said, the contractors are liable.

A year ago, a young tree surgeon pruned our ancient willow tree. He did a lovely job, but damaged some of the fascia on our extension by accident. He came out the next day and fixed the damage.

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