[Everyone] [External] Re: FW: Boutte Tree assessment, estimate

Tue Jan 27 19:56:05 UTC 2026

Hello,
I appreciate the hard work of getting tree folk out and rounding up cost
estimates for upkeep of trees. I do have some questions.

1. The estimate by Boutte does not include tree trimming around the entire
property, as I read it but rather a few specific trees. I know there was a
walk through, so perhaps this was discussed, but what about the redbud
directly opposite 400 and 402? Were the two cherry trees discussed (one in
front of 412, and one in front of 400)? All the crepe myrtles on the
property (including those at the creek bed?)
2. I am myself confused about the issue of homeowner and HOA costs when it
comes to trees. I think the longstanding custom has been to use HOA monies
for any tree removal or major maintenance/pruning. As I read the bylaws
this is somewhat of a gray area, given the proximity of trees to some
people's properties. When does a homeowner pay and when does the HOA pay?
(It seems quite clear in some cases, but less clear in others, which may be
why I continue to be confused). For instance, we paid for removal of a
tree/planting of a different tree in our front area.
3. The last I heard, when a tree is removed, another must be planted, using
Decatur's approved species list. I've no doubt that Boutte is on their game
about this, as they work closely with the city arborist.

The last time that Boutte was out they were confident that the three oaks
that line the main driveway were solid and mentioned nothing about
fungicide treatments needed after such testing. I do like this company and
think it would be good to be consistent with one tree company so that we
can refer to past work/contracts and future needs.

Rosamond

On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 12:02 PM Kathleen M. Baggett via Everyone <
everyone at chelseaplacedecatur.com> wrote:

> Thanks, Dave. Yes, that’s correct. Ron is following up on this. More to
> come.
>
> Kathleen
>
> *Kathleen Baggett, Ph.D. *
>
> Associate Professor | 2CI Scholar in Dev Disability Health Disparities
>
> Director, Mark Chaffin Centers for Healthy Development
>
> Director,  GA Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental & Related
> Disabilities
>
> School of Public Health | Georgia State University
>
> Phone: 404.413.1571
>
>
>
>
> *From: *Everyone <everyone-bounces at chelseaplacedecatur.com> on behalf of
> David Weiner via Everyone <everyone at chelseaplacedecatur.com>
> *Date: *Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 11:44 AM
> *To: *Residents <everyone at chelseaplacedecatur.com>
> *Cc: *David Weiner <david.l.weiner30030 at gmail.com>
> *Subject: *[External] Re: [Everyone] FW: Boutte Tree assessment, estimate
>
> I'm sure that if Boutte or Gil are handling the permits that they are
> aware of that, and their on-staff arborist will write the required letter.
>
> Dave
>
> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026, 09:57 Sara Crews via Everyone <
> everyone at chelseaplacedecatur.com> wrote:
>
> Before the City of Decatur will issue a permit to have a tree taken down,
> they require a written accessment from a certified arborist.
>
> Sara
>
> On 01/26/2026 9:43 AM EST Lauren Rich via Everyone <
> everyone at chelseaplacedecatur.com> wrote:
>
>
> We have used boutte before and i believe they know how to get necessary
> permits to do this . . .
>
> Lauren Rich
> Atlanta, GA
>
>
> On Mon, Jan 26, 2026, 9:25 AM Sara Crews via Everyone <
> everyone at chelseaplacedecatur.com> wrote:
>
> Kathleen, do you know if Boutte Tree Service has an arborist on staff?  If
> so, the arborist could obtain a permit from the City of Decatur to take
> down the declining cherry tree at the rear of your home.
>
> Sara
>
> On 01/25/2026 6:19 PM EST Kathleen M. Baggett via Everyone <
> everyone at chelseaplacedecatur.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
>
>
> I wondered why I hadn’t heard back on this. Please see below. Giant limbs
> are continuing to fall from the concerning trees over our roof.
>
>
>
>
>
> *Kathleen Baggett, Ph.D.*
>
> Associate Professor | 2CI Scholar in Dev Disability Health Disparities
>
> Director, Mark Chaffin Centers for Healthy Development
>
> Director,  Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
> (Ga_LEND)
>
> School of Public Health | Georgia State University
>
> Phone: 404.413.1571
>
>
>
>
>
> *From: *Kathleen M. Baggett <kbaggett at gsu.edu>
> *Date: *Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 9:41 AM
> *To: *Residents <everyone at chelseaplacedecatur.com>
> *Subject: *Tree Care Estimates- high priority
>
> Hi there,
>
>
>
> Following up on this. Thanks to Maryann, David, Ron, and Jordan. Below are
> quotes, which are about to expire. Vincent, Sara, please let us know how we
> can move this forward. I’m happy to schedule with Gill Tree Care if
> approved.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
> Kathleen
>
>
>
> *Kathleen Baggett, Ph.D. *
>
> Associate Professor | 2CI Scholar in Dev Disability Health Disparities
>
> Director, Mark Chaffin Centers for Healthy Development
>
> Director,  GA Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental & Related
> Disabilities
>
> School of Public Health | Georgia State University
>
> Phone: 404.413.1571
>
>
>
>
>
> *From: *Kathleen M. Baggett <kbaggett at gsu.edu>
> *Date: *Monday, January 5, 2026 at 11:07 AM
> *To: *Residents <everyone at chelseaplacedecatur.com>
> *Subject: *FW: Boutte Tree assessment, estimate
>
> Happy New Year!
>
>
>
> Here are 3 quotes based on property tree assessment. The first 2 are
> highly reputable; R & I would prefer either of the first 2. Let me know how
> you’d like to proceed. We’d like to get this work done as soon as possible.
>
>
>
> *Gill Tree Care *(Brendan Gill, trained arborist, removed the giant tree
> stump last year)
>
> Total: *$36400*
>
> *Itemized- see attached*
>
>
>
> *Boutte Tree Inc.- *Trained Arborist
>
> *Total with $250 discount = $3700*
>
> Itemized- see attached
>
>
>
> *Best Price Tree Services: 678 641 7627*
>
> This is the company who completed the last Chelsea Place property
> trimming. A new property assessment and verbal quote were provided in
> mid-December, which was higher than the the 2 quotes above. Although
> requested multiple times, a written quote was not provided. Moreover, I
> have other concerns that in my view make this the least favorable option of
> the 3. Happy to discuss if you wish.
>
>
>
> *King Tree Services: * Did not pursue a new quote based on Sarah’s and
> Maryann’s documentation from last year that the cost was double or more
> than the other quotes at the time.
>
>
>
> K
>
>
>
> *Kathleen Baggett, Ph.D.*
>
> Associate Professor | 2CI Scholar in Dev Disability Health Disparities
>
> Director, Mark Chaffin Centers for Healthy Development
>
> Director,  Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
> (Ga_LEND)
>
> School of Public Health | Georgia State University
>
> Phone: 404.413.1571
>
>
>
>
>
> *From: *Kathleen M. Baggett <kbaggett at gsu.edu>
> *Date: *Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 4:23 PM
> *To: *Maryann Dabkowski <mdabkowski at gmail.com>, David Weiner <
> david.l.weiner30030 at gmail.com>, Sharon Jordan <jsharona at gmail.com>, Ron
> Baggett <rgbaggett at me.com>
> *Subject: *FW: Boutte Tree assessment, estimate
>
> Thanks again for sending the information below, Maryann. I see that the
> quote from Best Price Service is comparable to the prices from Boutte. In
> recognition of the committee’s work last time to obtain quotes, *Ron,* *can
> you please follow up with the 2 companies below (Best Price Tree Service
> and King Tree Service)? *This would get us to the 3 requested quotes.
> Given the spike damage that a company in the recent past caused to one of
> the large oaks near us, you might casually comment on this damage and note
> how these companies respond.
>
>
>
> Kathleen
>
>
>
> *Hey good morning all!*
>
>
>
> *Here are the two services we used fo estimates last time:*
>
>
>
> *Best Price Tree Service <https://bestpricetreeservice.us/>**: 678 641
> 7627. Owner is named Dana. You can call or text him directly. He ended up
> charging us $2100. Here's the breakdown he provided to Sarah at the time:*
>
> *#412 - $700.00*
>
> *#406 - $300.00*
>
> *#340 - $300.00*
>
> *#344 - $800.00*
>
>
>
> *Total-$2,100.00*
>
>
>
> *King Tree Services- I don't know that I would recommend trying them again
> unless we just need another bid to round out options for Vincent. They
> estimated $5000, which Sarah deemed absurd. *
>
>
>
> *Dave-- if you find time on your hands, perhaps you can use your excellent
> Internet skills to find another reputable service or two for us to call?*
>
>
>
> *Kathleen/Ron-- given that you have specific trees of concern, I'm
> wondering if it's best for one of you to coordinate with the vendors so
> that one of you can be available when someone comes to do an estimate so
> you can point out your concerns? I work from home and can probably join in
> on a walk around the property depending on whether or not I have a meeting
> at the same time, but I think it's important you're available, given my
> experience with working with the vendors a couple of years ago. *
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> K
>
>
>
> *Hey good morning all!*
>
>
>
> *Here are the two services we used for estimates last time:*
>
>
>
> *Best Price Tree Service <https://bestpricetreeservice.us/>**: 678 641
> 7627. Owner is named Dana. You can call or text him directly. He ended up
> charging us $2100. Here's the breakdown he provided to Sarah at the time:*
>
> *#412 - $700.00*
>
> *#406 - $300.00*
>
> *#340 - $300.00*
>
> *#344 - $800.00*
>
>
>
> *Total-$2,100.00*
>
>
>
> *King Tree Services- I don't know that I would recommend trying them again
> unless we just need another bid to round out options for Vincent. They
> estimated $5000, which Sarah deemed absurd. *
>
>
>
> *Dave-- if you find time on your hands, perhaps you can use your excellent
> Internet skills to find another reputable service or two for us to call?*
>
>
>
> *Kathleen/Ron-- given that you have specific trees of concern, I'm
> wondering if it's best for one of you to coordinate with the vendors so
> that one of you can be available when someone comes to do an estimate so
> you can point out your concerns? I work from home and can probably join in
> on a walk around the property depending on whether or not I have a meeting
> at the same time, but I think it's important you're available, given my
> experience with working with the vendors a couple of years ago. *
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From: *Kathleen M. Baggett <kbaggett at gsu.edu>
> *Date: *Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 6:37 PM
> *To: *Maryann Dabkowski <mdabkowski at gmail.com>, Jordan Foster <
> jfoster34 at gsu.edu>, David Weiner <david.l.weiner30030 at gmail.com>, Ron
> Baggett <rgbaggett at me.com>
> *Subject: *Boutte Tree assessment, estimate
>
> Hi there,
>
>
>
> Boutte Tree came out on Friday and provided the attached estimate based on
> his assessment- walking around Chelsea place. Maryanne, there was a tree
> limb by your house not on our radar that he had concerns about. Ron met
> with him and can fill you in tomorrow if you have time. The 2 K-ish
> estimate is for the 3 giant oaks by us. What do you all think is the next
> step? Do we need to have 2 of the companies who provided previous estimates
> (Maryanne, whoever you recall was best/ most competitive)?come  out?
>
>
>
> Kathleen
> _______________________________________________
> Everyone mailing list
> Everyone at chelseaplacedecatur.com
> https://chelseaplacedecatur.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/everyone
>
> _______________________________________________
> Everyone mailing list
> Everyone at chelseaplacedecatur.com
> https://chelseaplacedecatur.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/everyone
>
> _______________________________________________
> Everyone mailing list
> Everyone at chelseaplacedecatur.com
> https://chelseaplacedecatur.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/everyone
>
> _______________________________________________
> Everyone mailing list
> Everyone at chelseaplacedecatur.com
> https://chelseaplacedecatur.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/everyone
>
> CAUTION: This email was sent from someone outside of the university. Do
> not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and
> know the content is safe.
> _______________________________________________
> Everyone mailing list
> Everyone at chelseaplacedecatur.com
> https://chelseaplacedecatur.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/everyone
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://chelseaplacedecatur.com/pipermail/everyone/attachments/20260127/49394c93/attachment-0001.htm>