CDF LANDSCAPE

The project looked beautiful when it was first planted. However, within a year at least 8 of the 24 trees were dead. The deciduous trees suffered immediately from animal attacks (deer and porcupines). We (the owners) then added fencing, but in some cases it wasn't enough to save the trees. The conifers had watering problems. The summer after they were planted, CDF came out to consult and said the pines needed more water. After talking with Northland Nursery, I bought a moisture meter and found that the pines were getting too much water. CDF offered to provide labor to replace the dead trees if we paid for the trees, but I didn't think this was a sufficient offer. So I guess I have three complaints: (1) in a rural setting, the landscaping plan should have included sufficient protection for vulnerable new trees; (2) I received no advice, then poor advice about watering; (3) the company was unwilling to replace the trees that died within one year.