We hired Northwest Arbor to remove a badly misshapen oak tree behind our back fence, and replace it with one I purchased. I had discussed this about three years earlier with Jon, who seems to be the owner, and then had him over again early this year to set up the work. At this time, he said that, unlike earlier, the City of Newberg is very strict about such things and requires a permit, which I'd have to pay for. I chose to do this in person. Jon instructed me several times not to say too much to them, as he knew I was unhappy with the species of oak I was replacing, and "just say [I] want to replace an oak." I had no intention of perpetrating a fraud on the city and did ask them what species I may be permitted to replant.
When I went to the city office for the permit, they were efficient and helpful, and gave me an illustrated handout showing the extensive requirements for replanting a tree on the area next to their sidewalk or other hardscaping. The handout indicated I must install a root barrier all around the tree, install two perforated pipes filled with pea gravel (for watering), set up two supports, provide a prescribed mix of native and amended soil, each feature at a specified distance and depth, and to leave the hole and tree unburied until the work passes their inspection. Jon, of course, was aware of this, since 1) he warned me, 2) his is a Newberg business, and 3) in his last email to me, he indicated clearly that he usually obtains the permit from the city for customers, so he would have received all this.
The day of the job, two men showed up with tools and stump grinder. They did an impressive job of removing the existing tree and cleaned up nicely. When I then saw the tree being moved over, I ran out to stop them from planting it. I asked, "where are the root barrier, supports, and everything?" They said, "Jon is at Home Depot getting that and he'll be here any time." So I went back into the house. After an hour, I went out back again and found the tree planted in a tight hole in hard clay: no root barrier, no supports, no watering, no amended soil, not one city requirement met. When I called Jon to ask about this, he said I was "misinformed", and that the contract (signed only by him, and specifying no detail) did not include those procedures. In the ensuing email exchange, Jon would not negotiate an adjustment to the bill ($1,100), but became very threatening as to legal action he would take, collection agencies and the like. I paid on time and in full, and went to the City of Newberg, where I reported the situation.
Since then, the tree has died (another $129), despite daily watering (hard clay is not a good place to be in the summer). When I pulled the tree out, I could see that its root ball had not been loosened to facilitate spreading (nor would it have fit into the tight pot they dug had they done so).
Jon had assured me that he was a certified Arborist, and I have no reason to disbelieve him. But his behavior here was such that I would never trust him for the subsequent work I have planned, and would urge all homeowners to avoid Northwest Arbor, especially if a tree planting is within six feet of a road or sidewalk, since I believe you would be liable for repairs if the roots lift up that hardscaping. read more