About Trees Consulting

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Our holly trees were experiencing a massive shed that began last year and by May they were very bare.  I contacted a tree service I found on Angie's list that offered a "free" professional consultation.  Concerned that the consultation would be slanted toward the tree service I also contacted About Trees Consulting to obtain an objective, non-biased professional consultation about what was wrong with the trees..  The owner, Eric V., explained his hourly rates that included one way transportation and time on site.
He came at the designated time.  Brought a book from Penn State Cooperative Extension that he referenced constantly (my opinion - just buy the book).  He didn't know what was wrong with the holly trees (and neither did the book).  So, he took a cutting from the tree and one from the holly bush and charged additional to mail the cutting to Penn State Cooperative Extension for their review.
Not wanting to waste my dollars with bringing him here for something he did not know, I asked him a few casual questions about other yard work, trimming, treatment, etc.  Nothing major, just stuff I probably could have found out at any garden shop (and did).
My first disappointment was that he wouldn't write his findings in any type of summary without charging me extra.  As a professional myself, once I charge for my "opinion" I always put that opinion in writing as a courtesy and follow-up at no extra charge. 
That became more problematic when he called with the "results".....the first time he called he tried to pass off the results of the trees that were actually the results he received for the bush (but it was obvious he forgot that he sent in two clippings).  I am the one that caught the incorrect assessment or else he would have just given me wrong information.  So, when we got it clear that he was calling me about the bush he verbally gave me some type of treatment instructions but, since he called me on my cell and I was at the grocery store at the time, and he would not mail me instructions (even e-mail) - anything he said was lost in translation.
The second time he called with the tree results he said that Penn State didn't know what the problem was.  He then went onto reiterate individual tree root care that HE could give at a sizeable cost despite my reminding him (again) that the problem was systemic throughout the neighborhood and was not a problem with how my particular trees were planted.  So, there went my "objective" consultation.
The final kicker was when I received a WRITTEN summary of findings from the FREE Consultation tree service.  Their review was extremely thorough.  Since they also took clippings and sent to Penn State (at no additional mailing cost), their summary included an evaluation from Penn State indicating that Holly Trees in the entire area were experiencing an unusual shed that presumably was due to the recent years changes in weather patterns including extremely wet weather.  Now THAT made sense.  Essentially they told me there wasn't anything I could do but take a wait and see approach. 
Eric V. sent several e-mails reminding me to submit my $150 fee plus the cost of mailing the clippings to Penn State.  I did send the check but included a letter indicating my disappointment and listed the very reasons I listed here.
In summary I would say unfortunately I found his service a waste of money.

They did an excellent job. I had a great interaction with them and we had no problems at all.

The way Mr. Vorodi works is he comes out for $75.00 per hour consultation fee and assesses the situation. If work needs to be done, he will recommend three qualified area tree services and instruct them with a work order exactly what needs to be done. This saves the end user money. He instructed me about the health of my trees and allayed my fears. It turned out all that happenned was squirrel damage and I needed some iron additive in the Fall which I could do myself. He also is very familiar with the Pennsylvania conditions from growing up here and his extensive education. He keeps a record of the property on file, too, so if you move the new owner could be told that and refer to him for information in the future about the consultations.