[Everyone] Fwd: Re: Re our trees and recent discussion of costs and fees with master arborists -- Would you be willing to pay $100 to $200 in assessment to check if any of our large trees is potentially in dangerous?
Sara Crews
sara408 at comcast.net
Mon Aug 21 17:18:59 UTC 2023
> Hi Lauren, Mitsy and all,
>
> I, too, am agreeable to whatever direction the HOA members agree upon.
>
> Mitsy, you might want to get with Rosamond. After the huge limb fell, Rosamond had a conversation with the woman living across the street as to their plans for dealing with the damaged tree.
>
> Sara
>
> > On 08/20/2023 6:52 PM EDT mitsy via Everyone <everyone at chelseaplacedecatur.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Hi Lauren and all,
> >
> > Thank you so much for looking into this matter. I'd be willing to chip in to get a throurough inspection. Also I understand that I need a permission from the green house across the street to get those 2 trees inspected, correct? I am concerned about those especially the one that's already damaged. I'd be more than happy to go talk to her but not really sure what we need from her legally. Would simple email be ok or does it need to be more official letter?
> >
> > Mitsy
> >
> > On Sun, Aug 20, 2023 at 11:04 AM Maryann Dabkowski via Everyone <everyone at chelseaplacedecatur.com mailto:everyone at chelseaplacedecatur.com> wrote:
> >
> > > Hi all-
> > > Personally willing to contribute $100-200 to have a thorough, expert review of our trees. It's tempting to go with the less expensive option, but I suspect he'd end up referring us for a more rigorous inspection anyway. I'd rather be proactive now than deal with a tree through my roof and windows later.
> > > -Maryann
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > On Wed, Aug 16, 2023 at 10:09 AM Lauren Rich via Everyone <everyone at chelseaplacedecatur.com mailto:everyone at chelseaplacedecatur.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > > Good morning all:
> > > >
> > > > Please see email below I sent to a few homeowners and Vincent re discussion I've had with 2 arborists. One (Dave Butler) is willing to charge us $225 to come out to the property to look at our large trees, and then presumably to tell us how much more it would cost to check our trees. The other arborist (Peter Jenkins) would charge considerably more (as explained in below email), perhaps $1500+ to do thorough check and testing of our large trees. There is a third arborist (Boutte) I will contact but I am going out of town tomorrow for 10 days and will not have time to do this until I get back (after 8/28). I think it's likely it will cost closer to $1500+ rather than $225+ to get an expert assessment of whether any of our large trees are in danger of falling and damaging (perhaps catastrophically) our town homes (there are 5 of 11 townhomes within perhaps the fall path of 3 of our very large trees!).
> > > >
> > > > I believe in the past the Association has paid for cutting down trees, so I would hope that Association would decide to subsidize some of this cost, though I know (or believe) there is not enough in our account to pay all of it. I would hope that if we each agreed to pay $100 to $200 -- if need be -- then we could have our trees examined by experts. I am aware that there might be additional costs if the experts advise us to cut down any of the trees on our property. However, I think we need to assess the risk. Vincent asked me to forward my email below to you, with a bit of explanation (as per above). It would be great to hear what everyone has to say.
> > > >
> > > > Warmly, Lauren (#340)
> > > >
> > > > On Mon, Aug 14, 2023 at 10:28 AM Lauren Rich <laureninatlanta at gmail.com mailto:laureninatlanta at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > I just spoke with Patty Jenkins at Tree Inspection.com, I strongly recommend that you look at the web site, especially this part:
> > > > > https://treeinspection.com/advice/how-to-spot-a-dangerous-tree . The expert master arborists Peter Jenkins and Neil Norton work for this company. Here is what Patty told me:
> > > > >
> > > > > First, she said Peter Jenkins (whom I believe is her husband) is the person who should look at the trees which concern us, she said he is the tree expert in this town. Second, she could not give me a "firm" statement about fees, other than that he charges $150 per hour (not just for walking property and testing trees but also for writing up report -- which he would have to do if he recommends action on the tree), plus up to $100+ per tree to drill with a resistograph (which evidently helps to assess the health of very large trees 40 to 50 inches in diameter, she was able to look at tree map while I was on the phone with her and she says the 3 large trees facing my side of the property would be candidates for drilling because of their size, depending on what he sees). If there are 8 to 10 large trees we are worried about, he would walk the property (she urges that as many of us as possible walk the property with him) and tell us which trees he thinks needs drilling in order to assess (he also takes into account where the tree might fall if it is not healthy when determining whether to drill; in other words, he would not drill if there is no "target" we should be concerned about). I asked her whether $1000 to $1500 is a fair estimate; she said yes, but no guarantees. What we CANNOT do is hire him just to walk the property for an hour, she said, and make a recommendation -- and then we choose whether to go forward or not. I had the impression that we would HAVE TO go forward with whatever he suggests once we have him look at specific trees we are concerned about. That's why the $1000 to $1500 estimate. She also said he is not available 'til next week. I told her I'd get back to her at some point on this.
> > > > >
> > > > > I don't know whether we want to commit $1000 to $1500 of Association $ on this right now, and be concerned it might be more than that. It's pretty clear to me from what she said that if Peter Jenkins believes he must drill a tree then we would have to agree for him to drill (and pay whatever the cost for drilling and for his time). I asked her whether we could say in response we are not willing to pay more than $1200 or so at this point, and I don't think that would be acceptable. There is no written contract they use. They have been in business for 40 years and have an excellent reputation, she said they are never interested in gouging. She told me the cost for some of his recent work for small homeowners associations was in range of $1800 (this was over 2 days and he drilled 7 trees and he probably looked at 30 or 40). Perhaps each of us would agree to pay $100 to $200 per unit toward this if bill, regardless of cost. (I would certainly be willing to pay this.) Perhaps Vincent you might want to write to the whole membership, or I am fine with you putting this on our community email and maybe we can vote on it. It would be good to know how much money we have on hand in Association bank account.
> > > > >
> > > > > Last, I asked her about Dave Butler, the arborist who has offered to walk our property for $225. She said he is an excellent arborist and would tell us whether further testing is required on any trees -- and then he would likely refer us to their company (to Peter Jenkins for testing)! So if we go this route -- ask Dave Butler to look at the trees for $225 -- we may wind up hiring Jenkins anyway (to essentially do the same thing).
> > > > >
> > > > > Not sure what we want to do here. (However, I do think we should be concerned about more damage from trees (perhaps catastrophic damage) if this weather continues -- and I have no doubt it will.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > I am leaving town tomorrow for Augusta, then hopefully on Thursday to Canada for about 10 days. I would be glad to check with other arborists when I get back.
> > > > >
> > > > > Best regards, Lauren
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > On Fri, Aug 11, 2023 at 2:52 PM Vincent Wimbush <vlwimbush at gmail.com mailto:vlwimbush at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > Thanks for this work, Lauren.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I agree with Sara that the price is reasonable. ((I'm actually relieved.) If the others you have contacted come in at or around this price I want to support moving forward with the assessment. I think we should give the others contacted a reasonable limited time to respond; but we should not hold things up for any one person or company. Let's say within a week's time (from initial contact)?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I wonder now, Sara, whether the tree removal that was recommended ought not be put aside until we get assessment from an arborist. It may be the case that more action will be recommended. I would like not to have to go through the special hiring of Mr. Ringer or anyone else to address problems with trees on several different occasions apart from having the big picture to consider.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Several big expenses may be ahead for the HOA. I am still wondering whether we can do all that needs to be done under regular budgeting. Too early for me to tell. But I am trying to keep things in balance.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > vlw
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > On Fri, Aug 11, 2023 at 2:31 PM Sara Crews <sara408 at comcast.net mailto:sara408 at comcast.net> wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > Very reasonable price. Thank you, Lauren
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > On 08/11/2023 11:59 AM EDT Lauren Rich <laureninatlanta at gmail.com mailto:laureninatlanta at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > See below, waiting for 2 more estimates.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------
> > > > > > > > From: Lauren Rich <laureninatlanta at gmail.com mailto:laureninatlanta at gmail.com>
> > > > > > > > Date: Fri, Aug 11, 2023 at 11:58 AM
> > > > > > > > Subject: Re: Requesting fee schedule for tree examination
> > > > > > > > To: Dave Butler <treebutlerdb7 at gmail.com mailto:treebutlerdb7 at gmail.com>
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Thank you, Dave. As I understand this, to look at the 12 large trees, you would charge the Association a total of $225 and would provide a written report and photos. If we want you to assess more than 12 trees, you would come out to the property and give us an estimate. (I assume you could do this while you are examining the 12 trees for the $225 fee; you could then tell us how much more your fee would be to examine others?)
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > On Fri, Aug 11, 2023 at 10:42 AM Dave Butler <treebutlerdb7 at gmail.com mailto:treebutlerdb7 at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Ms. Rich;
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > I would be happy to conduct an assessment of the trees on your association's property. My fee is usually based on the size of a property and the number of trees. If you want me to assess the 12 trees only, the fee would be $225 and that would include a written report with photos. If your association decides that they would want all trees on the property assessed, I would come out to evaluate the workload and then provide a written estimate.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Thank you for contacting me for your tree care services.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Regards,
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Dave
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Dave Butler
> > > > > > > > > The Tree Butler
> > > > > > > > > ISA Certified Arborist #SO-6236A
> > > > > > > > > treebutlerdb7 at gmail.com mailto:treebutlerdb7 at gmail.com
> > > > > > > > > (404) 580-3917
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > On Fri, Aug 11, 2023 at 4:06 AM Lauren Rich <laureninatlanta at gmail.com mailto:laureninatlanta at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Dear Mr. Butler:
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > I reside at 340 Drexel Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030, in a development of 11 townhomes in the middle of Drexel Avenue between Ponce de Leon and College Avenues.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Several trees have crashed on our block recently due to storms. As a result, our homeowners association has recently been discussing whether we should retain an arborist to examine about a dozen large trees (and other smaller ones) in our development, to determine if there is any possibility of destruction of property due to age and health of these trees.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > We consulted the Georgia Arborists website for arborists and found your company's information. I am seeking initial consultations with arborists on behalf of our association. We are interested in your fee schedule to come out to our property to examine the trees. I would appreciate any information you can provide in this regard. If you would prefer to discuss this by phone, please provide phone number and most convenient time for me to call. I am available to discuss this with you early next week.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Sincerely, Lauren Rich (phone 404 788 3023)
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > --
> > > > > > > > > > Lauren Rich
> > > > > > > > > > Atlanta, GA
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > --
> > > > > > > > Lauren Rich
> > > > > > > > Atlanta, GA
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > --
> > > > > > > > Lauren Rich
> > > > > > > > Atlanta, GA
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > --
> > > > > Lauren Rich
> > > > > Atlanta, GA
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Lauren Rich
> > > > Atlanta, GA
> > > >
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