Arborist’/tree surgeons and morals

[WesD]

Ok I hope I am not going to get shot down in flames here but with what’s going on in Sheffield I thought I’d post/ramble some thoughts and questions. 

 

Why are we in this job? 

 

Do people hold such high regards and morals for trees or do you actually if I may be blunt just love the job of removing them climbing them pruning them? 

 

I may may be selfish but I love working on trees (conifers excluded) be it raise, reduce, thin or remove yes it’s hard work but it’s selfishly satisfying admiring your work after a hard day. 

 

At its most simple any and most work on trees harm them yet we all love a before and after. 

 

Yes its it’s nice to work on trees that are goosed or to reduce some that will blatantly extend the trees lifespan but we all must work on perfectly healthy trees to satisfy the customers demands ie a reduction to allow more sunlight in the garden. 

 

So are we as a trade looking out for the best interests of trees as a whole or are we following best practices and guidelines whilst getting paid to do something we enjoy or are we somewhere in the middle?

 

If you where based in Sheffield and Amey subbed you in would you do the work and get paid or stay away?

 

Has anybody walked away from a job because they think a tree should be left alone?

 

If you have why have you walked away from jobs?

 

Thought this type of thread could raise some fat to chew and be a litttle different from brexit. 

[Tommy_B]

Walked away from lots of trees. Quite proud I got told to "F*** off" by a glamour model who wanted some trees removing so she could sell her house. Don't think she liked someone saying no to her. 

 

Good thread

[Tommy_B]

Trees didn't need anything doing to them which was why I refused. Plus it was raining and I didn't like her. Mainly though, it was the moral high ground though 

[WesD]

1 minute ago, Tommy_B said:

Trees didn't need anything doing to them which was why I refused. Plus it was raining and I didn't like her. Mainly though, it was the moral high ground though 

Moral high ground with her or for the trees?

[Mick Dempsey]

I walk away from jobs, not removals mind, I’ll take anything out, but silly reductions.

 

The most recent was a couple of previously topped Douglas ( most recently by me 7 or so years ago, but they’d been done at least a couple of times before) that the client wanted even lower so it would have only 4 branches and be 4 metres tall.

 

Another was a client who wanted the middle branches of an umbrella pine removed to leave a Y shape.

 

Not really liking the client/having lots on can bring the high horse out the stable more readily.

Edited November 27, 2017 by Mick Dempsey

[devon TWiG]

Was asked for a price to remove a nice big  Blue atlas cedar that owner felt was spoiling his view , phoned Arb officer to see if it had TPO  , and he said no ....I suggested he goes to look a it , next day he tells me it does have now !!!     good result I think !!

[Steve Bullman]

As a freelancer I don't get to choose job specs.  I can choose my clients though and tend to only work for reputable firms.  Even then though I will carry out works I don't necessarily agree with from time to time.  We are a service industry though at the end of the day, and whilst we might like to think we are there for the benefit of trees, in reality we are there to help the public live with the trees.

 

I get zero satisfaction from reductions these days.  I enjoy a nice crown thin and deadwood, but mostly i just like removals.

[stihllearning2]

I regularly walk away from jobs,sometimes because I get 'that feeling' about the customer or because they want a quote for something that I think is unethical ( for the long term health of the tree)

[Khriss]

If yr any good ( with trees and clients ) you can swing it - I have said ' No' at certain times , but then I also have felled a lot of healthy trees  ! K

 

( Digging my heels in now - over one particular oak .... )

[stihlmadasever]

Good thread

Working for my LA i come across all sorts of people and trees but its not up to us what works are performed upon the trees,thats up to the TO.

Subbing ive walked away from 1 job but that wasnt a tree issue but inexperienced groundsman.I have rejected jobs just because i didnt want to butcher trees,not many mind but a few-most were removing all the branches on one side of a conifer and pruning back to the boundry sort of thing.My standards are low but i do have a limit.

I like trees but i cut them for a living so i think it would be hypocritical to condem anyone for taking work that is suspect or isnt in the trees best interests.