Cardinal Tree Care, LLC
About us
LLC Operated
Business highlights
Services we offer
Residential & commercial trimming, land clearing, mulching, planting, tree removal & stump grinding.
Amenities
Emergency Services
Yes
Free Estimates
Yes
Number of Stars | Image of Distribution | Number of Ratings |
---|---|---|
60% | ||
8% | ||
2% | ||
6% | ||
25% |
We hired them to trim a bunch of trees on our property. When they were done trimming, they "noticed" that one of the trees looked like it needed to go. They offered to discount the price of the trimming from the price of removal. Of course, since they conveniently didn't notice the problem until after they had trimmed, we were effectively forced to use their service or waste the money spent on trimming.
I didn't think the tree looked like it had a problem, but I didn't want to send them away and then have some accident - the tree was huge and over the house. So we OK'd the work.
Every piece of wood I saw come off that tree was solid. And the stump was in perfect shape, so I'm pretty sure we were ripped off on that one.
When they were selling us on cutting down that tree, I made the mistake of saying I was surprised that it wasn't another tree they were worried about, and pointed it out. Sure enough, the next day they "noticed" a problem with it too, even though they had told us the day before it was fine. We OK'd this one as well because we were worried about it. That one DID need removing - it was just an eaten-out shell. So at least we avoided a disaster there. But why didn't the "experts" notice this before we pointed it out?
So yeah, we weren't happy with the work. They also ripped up the yard by dropping huge limbs onto it, and didn't clean it up. Also, when they were selling us on the tree removal, they said they could remove the stumps (which was done) and level the ground properly afterwards. What they did NOT mention was that they wanted still more money for the leveling. After getting so much money out of us already, and most of it for a tree that didn't need to go!
The first time I called about repairing the lawn, they didn't bother to call back. The second time they left a messaging saying we didn't agree to pay for the yard work.
All in all, I'm glad the diseased tree was removed, but I very much resent being manipulated into getting a healthy tree removed and misled about what services were being provided.
It went down hill from there. The cutter climbed our specimen Oak with the Lineman spurs that should only be used on trees that are being removed. He only removed deadwood that was on or near the trunk, and then called it a day (it was getting close to dusk).. I called Mr. Shirk, to arrange for them to finish the job. I was out of town when they came back, but I left a specific list of issues for them. When I got home there was still plenty of deadwood in the tree, trimmings on the ground, and more spur holes in the bark of the tree. I called Mr. Shirk and he said he would come out and look. He eventually did come out when it was convenient for him, but it was later in the fall and by then there were so few leaves left on the tree it was hard to see which limbs were dead.
I called Mr. Shirk this spring when it was obvious which limbs were dead, and he agreed to have another look. He did not give me a day or time, but he and a crew showed up last week when they were in the neighborhood. While I was talking with Mr. Shirk, the cutter climbed the tree with spurs again. When I pointed out that he had done so, he said that's how you climb a tree that doesn't have low limbs. Obviously he is not familiar with a tool called a ladder, that professional arborists use to get up into nice trees. And when I pointed out that there was still a lot of deadwood in the tree when he was finished, he claimed that was all "new" deadwood, it has to be new because he is too much of a professional to have left it there previously. When I begged to differ he then claimed that the remaining deadwood was either too far up or too far out on the limbs to cut in less than two or three days of work. When i differed again, he said the tree must have a disease or iron deficiency since it is continuing to produce a lot of deadwood.
The next day I called a real tree expert who knows our trees and has given iron to the Oak in the past on an as needed basis. He came out, looked at the tree, said it is not diseased. He noticed the spur holes right off, and said that was a very unprofessional thing for someone to do to such a nice tree. He said that all the deadwood could be removed by walking the limbs with safety ropes. He also said that his company could finish the job for about $300 (not in 2 or 3 days).
Stay away from these people. They are obviously the kind to try and take advantage of a customer.
We have used this company before. They came to the door and advised thinning and re-cabling the limbs of a silver maple in our back yard (they had placed the cables two years before, and they had broken). When one of the workers got into the tree, he said that the limbs were spongy and rotten. One of the co-owners, who also quotes the prices, aid that he could "guarantee" that the trunk was also rotten. He warned that in a big wind the limbs would come down on our wires and on the neighbor's garage because of the degree of rot.
I had planned only to thin and cable, but reluctantly agreed to have the whole tree taken down (our last mature tree) because of the warning that it was rotten. When I returned home the day they were taking it down, all of the large limbs were lying on the front lawn and they were all perfectly good, strong wood. There was still about 8 feet of trunk in the back, also completely healthy. The next morning I spoke to the other co-owner and said "Show me where this is spongy and/or rotten" but of course he could not. But he "guaranteed' me again that when the trunk was taken down the base of it would be "all honeycombed with rot". Which it was not.
So I feel that I was pressured into taking down a perfectly healthy tree, whose wood they will sell, and it has changed the whole eco-system in my back yard. They came and asked for payment before the trunk was ground and hauled away, but we said we would not pay until everything was done. When I expressed my displeasure about the misleading information, no offer was made to reduce the price or make any amends.
They also did an inadequate job of cleaning up, and dropped limbs on a wood fence, breaking off parts of it without pointing it out or offering to pay for it or fix it. Since I live in UA, all the clean-up I had to do of limbs and branches has to be paid for to haul away, when they were supposed to take it.
I would never use this company again and feel that they pressured us into doing this with incorrect assessment of the tree.
I would have withheld payment, at least some of it, but they came for payment when I was away and they were paid in full."I would like to respond to this complaint by saying we appreciate all our customers and pride our selves in honesty and customer satisfaction. I would first like to address the rotten limbs we discussed as being a possible hazard for falling on the lines and garage. We thoroughly explained that the parts of these limbs that were rotten was above the cables not below. We would not have removed the tree if it did not pose a possible danger. I would like to clarify the issue pertaining to the trunk. There were three main leads coming into the trunk and all three had rotten areas surrounding them. We did show you these areas. I would like to give the correct information on our policy of hauling off wood we cut. We do not charge for removing wood we cut and allowing any customers who wish to keep the wood. Wood we remove we pay to dump at business who recycles it. Lastly, I'd like to address your concerns of collecting money prior to stump grinding. As with many customers we offered to grind your stump for free. We collect the money and pay our stump guy to come. He follows behind us to job sites after we have completed our work. Thank you, Cardinal Tree"
fast. Stomps were ground down immediately (within minutes!) by a
sub-contractor hired by Cardinal Tree Care. Less than a week from quote,to inspection (with crane to take picture of damaged area high up...), to finished job.
Pricing was excellent. I would recommend this company any time.
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