Asplundh Tree Expert Company Asplundh Tree Trimmers Destroyed My Trees and Damaged My Rare Plants. Willow Grove Pennsylvania

Dear Sherry,

I am greatly sorry for the damage that appears to have been caused by an Asplundh crew. I do not doubt that you are not the only person who has experienced such problems.

The remainder of this posting does not refute or try to discredit Sherry's experience, but is only to give an "insider's look" at how Asplundh operates as a utility contractor- I am not an employee of Asplundh, but work in close contact with their employees in the department I am in, working for a major California utility. To be fair, I have seen excellent customer service and pruning work by Asplundh crews in the area I work in, as well as examples of less than outstanding service and cleanup. Much of the work quality depends on who is locally managing and supervising their crews, and how well the local utility has set up their management system for utility tree pruning work. In regards to the comment made that the crews are made of "illegals", I wish to note that it has been a frequent misperception that the men and women who work on many Asplundh crews are undocumented immigrants, but to my understanding, Asplundh employees are legal citizens of the U.S. and this screening comprises part of their hiring process here in California.

In addition, the work that is done by these crews can be quite dangerous, as they are working near live electric wires- before an employee can begin working in trees growing near power lines, they must pass a rigorous certification program to obtain a Line Clearance Certification, as no legitimate utility company would wish to have the liability of untrained workers near live electric lines. Asplundh crew members have also been trained to make what arborists describe as directional pruning cuts, which are pruning cuts that create the least amount of stress and wounding to the tree. Although some utility customers consider this type of pruning to be unaesthetically pleasing, the alternative is to top trees or leave stub cuts, which are extremely stressful and detrimental to a tree's health.

As with any very large company, performance can vary from region to region: I have had the pleasure of working with and meeting many outstanding Asplundh crews that work in my area, but do acknowledge that several homeowners and utility customers have had poor experiences as well. In the region that I currently work in, we have taken our customer feedback seriously, and am glad to note that positive ratings for Asplundh in this region have increased in the time I have worked for the utility. I encourage utility customers to continue sending in their feedback to their local utility, so that we can continue to make improvements and adjustments to our maintenance and management programs.

Their insurance company is Liberty Mutual and everyone knows that Insurance companies are in business to make money not pay claims. They offered me $109.00 for my $4,000.00 rare plant.  Go to Hell Asplundh and Liiberty Mutual.  U Certainly are SORRY.

Sherry, I am sorry this happened to you. This terrible experience is far to common with companies that perform utility line clearance tree pruning.especially Asplundh. They are one of the largest and oldest family owned companies in the USA and they are experts in the blame game. Their mode of operation is to make the customer believe that they (the customers) are with out options and is futile to resist the utility thier right to prune your tree. That is not true and thier are several options available to you. Contact a attorney that specialize in sueing them for property damage. Asplundh does employ illegals, last month 8 of them were turned over to INS here in Arizona. Asplundh employees for the most part are untrained, uncertified and unprofessionaland have a terrible reputation in the tree buisness. The damage they do to consumers property is criminal and they get their marching orders from the utility companies that employ them to do thier dirty work. The truth is that if the tree was improperly pruned or if was pruned out of season then they are liable. Please contact a ISA certified tree appraiser and proffessional witness in your area.  Asplundh also ownes Bartlett, Nelson, Blume, Trees Inc. They are all self insured and were just low balling the $130.00 settlement I am sure there is alot more money could be paid to you to make this problem go away. Placing powerlines underground is expensive and are the customers cost if that is a option you want. Generally it is 50 to 100 dollars foot. Privately ownwed tree experts in your are can help you in the future. Good luck and good day. Donny, Phoenix, Az.

I am not through with you pigs.

You all should keep in mind that Asplundh is a contracted company.  Their employees work according to that particular utility company's guidlines, and different utility companies have very different standards.  Just food for thought.

"I wish to note that it has been a frequent misperception that the men and women who work on many Asplundh crews are undocumented immigrants, but to my understanding, Asplundh employees are legal citizens of the U.S." ~ mouserepublic ~

That's funny!  My husband worked for Asplundh for several years.  About half of the employees were illegal immigrants.  There were employees that "quit" and were rehired on the same day under a different name for reasons I will never know.

And if an employee gets injured at work, the policy is "Fire them before they can make it to a doctor."  

They don't care about the customers.  They have them sign a piece of paper before they start working, but if you don't read it closely word for tiny word before signing, you will wind up with all that useless wood left in your yard!  

Oh, and the employees are not allowed to go anywhere during the day to use the bathroom, not even at lunch time, so they are told to go behind a tree, in someone's yard, or in the back of the truck!  It's disgusting.  They can't leave if they are injured at work either unless they call someone to come pick them up... then they get fired before they can get to a doctor!

Asplundh is a joke.  And you will have to sue and fight it all the way through to get what they owe.  

"I wish to note that it has been a frequent misperception that the men and women who work on many Asplundh crews are undocumented immigrants, but to my understanding, Asplundh employees are legal citizens of the U.S." ~ mouserepublic ~

That's funny!  My husband worked for Asplundh for several years.  About half of the employees were illegal immigrants.  There were employees that "quit" and were rehired on the same day under a different name for reasons I will never know.

And if an employee gets injured at work, the policy is "Fire them before they can make it to a doctor."  

They don't care about the customers.  They have them sign a piece of paper before they start working, but if you don't read it closely word for tiny word before signing, you will wind up with all that useless wood left in your yard!  

Oh, and the employees are not allowed to go anywhere during the day to use the bathroom, not even at lunch time, so they are told to go behind a tree, in someone's yard, or in the back of the truck!  It's disgusting.  They can't leave if they are injured at work either unless they call someone to come pick them up... then they get fired before they can get to a doctor!

Asplundh is a joke.  And you will have to sue and fight it all the way through to get what they owe.  

Texas New Mexico Power Company hired the lousy bastards to tear up all the ancient trees in La Marque.  You were overly concerned about your 75 year old stinking power lines being brushed by their branches so you hired the cheapest, illegal, unskilled crap you could find.

If you ever think of showing up again we will be ready for you.  After enough lawsuits have been filed I hope you go broke.  You are as bad as BP with their environmental rape and the horrific murder of loyal employees.   I hope you burn in Hell for the damage you cased.