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

[Maryann Dabkowski]

In response to Kathleen's request, I prefer Gill as their estimate includes
pruning for the trees in the alley on the side of 344 (which they
mistakenly labeled 342-- Kathleen confirmed). The estimate from Boutte does
not include this.

On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 7:16 PM Kathleen M. Baggett via Everyone <
everyone at chelseaplacedecatur.com> wrote:

> Thanks Rosamond. Everyone, please see my embedded comments in bold below.
>
> Kathleen
> ------------------------------
> *From:* R.C. Rodman <rcr1026 at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, January 27, 2026 2:57 PM
> *To:* Residents <everyone at chelseaplacedecatur.com>
> *Cc:* Kathleen M. Baggett <kbaggett at gsu.edu>
> *Subject:* Re: [Everyone] [External] Re: FW: Boutte Tree assessment,
> estimate
>
> 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?
>
> *The  redbud was not identified by anyone for inclusion on the list of
> resident-identified concerns nor was it  identified in need of trimming  by
> either arborist (Boutte or Gill) on the walk-throughs. *
>
> 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?)
>
> *The cherry in front of 410/412 was recommended by both arborists for
> removal. The nearly dead cherry tree in front of us: both arborists said
> that because it was so close to the waterway and not yet dead (though
> nearly) Decatur would not issue a permit for removal until it's dead. *
>
> 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.
>
> *Ron and I were informed before purchasing that the trees along the drive
> were the responsibility of the HOA. *
>
> 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.
>
> *Correct. Both arborists recommended leaving the stump and because it's so
> close to the gas main, planting only small shrubs there. They did not
> advise on where or if another small tree planting would  be required
> elsewhere on the property. *
>
> 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.
>
> *I'll let others weigh in on the preference for going with Boutte or Gill.
> Committee/Residents, please weigh in on your preference if you have one.
> Ron and I are fine with either Boutte or Gill. *
>
> 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
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