Ethical dilema

[tockmal]

A parish council has just asked me to tender for some work which IMO at best doesn't need doing and at worst shouldn't be done. They want to reduce about a dozen trees, including a nice beech 30%.

 

What would you do..?

 

When someone asks me to top their tree or reduce it by more than 20% I just say,

 

"Sorry but my standards don't allow for me to do this, I'm a Certified Arborist and someone could come out and look at my work at any time and if they see a poor pruning job I will lose my accreditation, I also have my reputation to protect"

 

Then I tell them what I can do. And if they don't like it I walk away.

[MasterBlaster]

Sometimes they'll listen.

[telhol]

See that attitude would equal an unemployed surgeon to me even councils ask for big reductions and most of the tpo's i have done in the past want 25% so you dont do them either. But in all honsesty how can you really tell 20% from 30% do you use a ruler.

[tockmal]

See that attitude would equal an unemployed surgeon to me even councils ask for big reductions and most of the tpo's i have done in the past want 25% so you dont do them either. But in all honsesty how can you really tell 20% from 30% do you use a ruler.

 

I self funded myself through the RFS Cert in ARB, ISA Cert Arb. and all my other practical training. I did it because I wanted to be a professional. If I can't take pride in my work then for me, there is no point in doing it. I'd rather do something else.

 

By refusing to carry out bad treework practices I have managed to build up a very good reputation as someone who has the customers best interests at heart.

 

Long term, if you want to make a comfortable living from treework then your better to do it properly.

[Pete Mctree]

this dilemma is as old as the hills. If you can afford to turn work away then OK live by your ethics.I personally am in the position where The paying of bills and staff are a priority, with so little work on the books choice would not enter into the equasion

[tockmal]

this dilemma is as old as the hills. If you can afford to turn work away then OK live by your ethics.I personally am in the position where The paying of bills and staff are a priority, with so little work on the books choice would not enter into the equasion

 

I very rarely turn work away, I nearly always talk the client round to my way.

 

Even if they insist I top it, I'll still carry out a light reduction and tell them that this is what topping is.

 

Its relatively easy to convince people you are doing what they want, just be friendly and smile a lot.

[telhol]

Im sure that is deception imo.

 

But i have never topped a tree in my life only furs i dont see how you can get away with topping a blind man can see it looks shite. I always reduce but i will do 30% reductions have had no ill affects so far even councils are happy they ask for 25% but were splitting hairs.

 

I will do as the customers ask within what i believe is acceptable but as long as you know what your saying alot of people will accept what you say some will just use another company its a balance.

[skyhuck]

I very rarely turn work away, I nearly always talk the client round to my way.

 

Even if they insist I top it, I'll still carry out a light reduction and tell them that this is what topping is.

 

Its relatively easy to convince people you are doing what they want, just be friendly and smile a lot.

 

He we are all trying to educate the public and you tell them that a light reduction is topping? there is no hope.

[telhol]

He we are all trying to educate the public and you tell them that a light reduction is topping? there is no hope.

 

 

Here is where problems form you need to tell people whats good and bad not fuse the two.

 

If some one wants it topped i either offer a reduction or pollard or remove the tree plant a new one.

 

or tell them what topping means is a reduction of the canopy not giving it a flat top but hey let em get on with it the more people cock them up the easier it is for me to look good.

[Arborist]

I got permission from the local council for a 30% reduction on a mature oak. I was in decline though and needed it to go back in to sound wood.