I finally timed how long it took to prune a big old oak in Atlanta

I had this client with a huge live oak in their backyard, probably 60 feet tall. I figured it would take me and my crew about 4 hours to clean out the deadwood and thin the canopy. Ended up taking almost 7 hours because every branch I cut revealed three more that needed to go. Has anyone else had a tree job balloon on them like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

shane_bell21h ago

Thing is, I think you're actually looking at this the wrong way. That extra three hours wasn't a problem, it was a sign you did a thorough job and probably saved yourself a callback in six months when a dead limb drops on their shed. Clients always say they want a quick prune but what they really want is a tree that looks good and stays safe for a few years, not just a hack job that leaves hazards behind. Charge by the hour, be upfront that estimates are rough, and honestly that extra time is just better workmanship that builds your reputation as the guy who doesn't cut corners. So yeah, I'd say that balloon was a blessing in disguise.

wren_mitchell16h ago

Dude, yes! I had a similar thing happen with a silver maple last spring. I quoted a flat fee for what I thought was a clean prune but when I got up in the tree I found a big split crotch and some rubbing limbs that would've been a nightmare later. Spent an extra two hours fixing it proper and the neighbor actually thanked me the next month when a storm went through and took out the tree down the street. Being the guy who does the extra work even when it cuts into your day is how you get repeat business and referrals. It's annoying at the time but it always pays off.

maxl9320h ago

Man, you nailed it, I had almost the exact same thing happen last year on a big oak and it saved my butt later.