The work done on my property by Robinson Tree Service on October 5, 6 and 13, 2021, was extremely disappointing.
The company was supposed to bring no large trucks onto my concrete driveway and parking pad but they did so, bringing bucket trucks, each of the three days they were here. On the second day, while exiting my property, a man backed the truck into a magnolia tree, causing significant damage to a large limb and then drove over my lawn, putting ruts in it. (I have videos of this occurring.) The cracked limb had to be removed, leaving a noticeably large bare space on the tree, easily viewable from my parking pad. (I was not notified of this damage but viewed it later on my security system.)
A tree over an arbor was to be removed as part of the work. PRIOR TO the tree removal, the arbor was to be removed by removing the bolts securing it, but this was not done. The workmen used a chainsaw to remove a portion of the arbor and then removed the tree. I asked that the remaining part of the arbor be left standing but one man chose to chainsaw off the ends of two long 2x12's, which should not have been touched. Now they will have to be replaced. These boards did NOT block the tree removal and there was therefore no need to cut these boards. They were in the part of the arbor that was to be left standing.
Prior to removing the tree, the path for debris removal was agreed upon. After the supervisor left, the workmen chose, on their own, to use a different path, causing significant damage to my yard and ripping off a sprinkler head.
Each day work was to occur, 10-15 pieces of plywood were to be put in place to prevent damage to my lawn and walkway. On the second day, only 3 pieces of plywood were brought to my property.
The disposal truck used for debris removal dripped oil (or some other substance) on the asphalt portion of my driveway, leaving it unsightly.
I allowed the workmen to use a bathroom in my pool house, but one of the men entered a wooded area in my front yard, away from where the work occurred, apparently to urinate there. (I have a video of this happening.)
One climber balked at cutting a limb and was told to do so, more than once, by the supervisor. The supervisor told me this individual had "an attitude" and often wanted to do as he pleased rather than as directed.
On the second day of work, a large oak tree was to be trimmed. The climber trimmed ONLY the lower two-thirds of the tree and did so mainly with a handsaw on the end of a pole. I asked why he had not gone higher and he said that he was told to cut no large limbs. I told him there were smaller limbs higher in the tree and he did not respond. Neither the owner nor the supervisor returned that day to inspect and insure the work had been done properly, so I asked the owner to come back and assess the work.
After inspecting, the owner decided to send his workmen back, virtually admitting, in my opinion, that the work had NOT been done correctly on the second day. On the third day large limbs as well as many smaller ones were removed with a chain saw, but the climber did not reach the top 20-25% of the tree. Since I expected the entire tree to be trimmed, based on the proposal I received from the company, I am having another tree company assess whether or not the trimming of this tree was done properly.
It appears to me that this company never apologizes for any mistakes it makes or damage it causes. They could have easily said they were sorry for damage caused to my magnolia tree, damage to the arbor, damage to the sprinkler system, the oil stains left on my driveway and their failure to bring sufficient plywood to protect my lawn, among other things. Rather than apologize, they either never mentioned these occurrences or only addressed them with excuses rather than apologies when I pointed out the deficiencies. This company is definitely, in my opinion, long on excuses and short on apologies.
In regard to the supervision this company provides (or does NOT provide), I do not believe that there was adequate supervision provided on my job (as reflected in the mistakes made and the damage done), and I also believe this lack of supervision may occur on other jobs as well. I understand actually from the owner of Robinson Tree, that the company CUT DOWN THE WRONG TREE when working at the home of one of my neighbors. I assume this was also due to a lack of supervision there.
Based upon what occurred at my home with Robinson Tree, I would warn all consumers who choose to use this company to insist that the workers be supervised, to try to be home when the work is done and to pay attention to what the workmen are doing. Based upon my recent experience with this company, I would NOT recommend them to any of my friends or family. read more
