Would you go beyond the 'call of duty'?

[skyhuck]

last year we noticed a 70f pine on new houseing estate. which went up twenty ft and split in two stems the main trunk was split open by four ft and open and closing in the wind. and kids were playing underneath. We got the kids off cordend the area off knock the doors told the house holders what was worng with the tree and to keep the kids off and to contact how ever incharge of the estate. we wasnt looking for the work more the fact kids were at risk. ten minutes after we got cal from the proerty managment company asking who we were ,told them told the situation with the tree and told them to get their own guys in. There reply was take it down immediately and send us the bill and since then we done lots of work for them on different sites . its not al about the money - its about doing the right thing

 

That very different to a dead or diseased tree.

[melvyn]

It's all very commendable to act on one's consience and it demonstrates that any person who even thinks about it is a good person.The thing is were does it all stop.If an owner is aware that there has been a change in a trees appearance and they choose not to get it checked out they are negligent just as much as if they knowingly drive around with faulty brakes.We can only be responsible for so much and I don't think we can be resonably expected to feel like should protect the whole of society.It could drive you mad thinking about it and could lead you to knocking on people's doors telling them that their loose roof tiles are dangerous or are they aware of the dangers of the combination of garden ponds and small children.We can't play god.

[Stephen Blair]

if everyone does their little bit then it would make the world a nicer place, maybe diferent in a big city but in a small town everyone knows the good tradesman. If 1 of the local guys was working next door and told me there were some slates missing on my side,i would ask him for a price. I often tell customers whats on their roofs, blocked gutters, missing tiles etc. Its doing the right thing:thumbup1:

[skyhuck]

Best bet is ring the LA, they can tell the home owner the tree needs some attention and if it dangerous and the owner won't act, they can get the work done and bill them.

[Mesterh]

Best bet is ring the LA, they can tell the home owner the tree needs some attention and if it dangerous and the owner won't act, they can get the work done and bill them.

 

Thats the las thing I would do around here, the LA cba looking after there own trees never mind charging someone else to look after theirs.

 

Why cant we say if a tree is dangerous or not but the LA can?

[skyhuck]

Why cant we say if a tree is dangerous or not but the LA can?

 

Because its the LA's job to stick their nose in other people business, not mine

[Mesterh]

Because its the LA's job to stick their nose in other people business, not mine

 

 

 

Fair point.

 

Its what there best at I suppose.

[Samuel]

last year we noticed a 70f pine on new houseing estate. which went up twenty ft and split in two stems the main trunk was split open by four ft and open and closing in the wind. and kids were playing underneath. We got the kids off cordend the area off knock the doors told the house holders what was worng with the tree and to keep the kids off and to contact how ever incharge of the estate. we wasnt looking for the work more the fact kids were at risk. ten minutes after we got cal from the proerty managment company asking who we were ,told them told the situation with the tree and told them to get their own guys in. There reply was take it down immediately and send us the bill and since then we done lots of work for them on different sites . its not al about the money - its about doing the right thing

 

like you have pointed out if the tree is unsafe then act or do something about the situation

[RobRainford]

Rob you are projecting your feelings if someone cold called you. Take their thoughts out of the equation, then think about it again. There is no right or wrong in this one. It is all about your own personal morrals. You are a clever guy that doesnt see black or white, if you did then you would make a great policeman, your moral develpement is that of a defense lawyer, you can see the bigger picture, if you want we can go further and lets say you NEVER said anything, and it fell down and killed someone, should you not be done for man slaughter?

You have no idea how the person behind the door thinks with out meeting them first, you need to have 3-4 diferent methods ready and then adapt to the situation. If it a wee old frail lady, then your heart will probably sink and you will do the tree for nothing out of guilt and kindness, others would see this as a victim and pounce on her with scare tactics, not you.

Have courage in your convictions Rob, go and knock that door, dont be humble. Wear your work clothes, give them a card and say you have a genuine concern for the safety to the public and surrounding targets. If they want to discuss this further dont hesitate to contact yourself and leave it at that. If they come straight out and ask HOW MUCH, then be ready with a price, because this kind of person doesnt beat about the bush, they will decide there and then and dont expect a cuddle.

You must do it for these reasons for peace of mind, if you are secretly wanting this job and you dont get it and someone else does you will be resentfull, so think to yourself WHY you want to knock that door, be honest with yourself genuinly and everything else will be fine mate:thumbup1:

 

Some very wise words there steve, they will be bouncing around this head of mine for some time, i was walking around a shopping centre when i read those words, 2 hours ago before posting this, and have not stopped thinking about those. I do think about how my morals are affected in situations, sometimes that can cloud my judgement, but its usually the best choice to stick to them. As i only regret it some way later.

 

This bit:

if you want we can go further and lets say you NEVER said anything, and it fell down and killed someone, should you not be done for man slaughter?

 

Thats where morals come in again, a month or even a year later i could find out about a tree that fell through a house and seriously injured or killed somebody, even though id been past the tree and seen something wrong with it. Of course its never nice to read about somebody being injured or killed in any way, but when its something that may have been on my head, do i feel bad or do i just read the article and talk about it with people? Personally, id do a bit of both, although its something i wasnt involved with.

 

Your a very wise man steve.

 

We can't play god.

 

Exactly, there is a limit to how far we can go with things like this, we cant go round inspecting every tree in the world becuase it might be in need of some work. The original reason i went to that house is because it had a serious damage potential.

 

if everyone does their little bit then it would make the world a nicer place, maybe diferent in a big city but in a small town everyone knows the good tradesman. If 1 of the local guys was working next door and told me there were some slates missing on my side,i would ask him for a price. I often tell customers whats on their roofs, blocked gutters, missing tiles etc. Its doing the right thing:thumbup1:

 

A lot of people tend to be selfish nowadays, in a dog eat dog world, everyone needs to be to get anywhere.

 

Theres no problem with being a nice guy, you could politely mention something to someone, i waved someone in a cul-de-sac once as they had a completely flat tyre, they got out, looked at it then drove off as if id committed some sort of crime! It also helps get a good reputation. Looking for that best type of advertising, the word of mouth. Plus as you mention about blocked gutters, you may aswell, you can get a good look as they would struggle. It would probably be the cheapest option or them and would save them waiting till the future till something more severe happens.

 

I get most of my work in a local village, where there is a larger population of the elderly, so i do my best to not be intimidating and as they always have a little anecdote to tell i listen and have a chat, because thats how that generation is.

 

 

This is gonna have me thinking about all sorts now. But i think i may have found a good discussion subject for a uni assignment!

[bob]

Best bet is ring the LA, they can tell the home owner the tree needs some attention and if it dangerous and the owner won't act, they can get the work done and bill them.

 

cheers mate

 

although it still amazes me how many really dodgy trees there are and no one reported them.

TBH if i had a dodgy tree i would like you to inform me:thumbup:

Spoke to a local tree bod last week and was on about a big dead beech overhanging the road i had just noticed and he said oh yeh i saw that ages ago:confused1: