My wife and I saved for ten years and purchased 16 acres of land. We selected a home site based on the view of a very large Red Oak tree (30"plus).
I recently contacted the utility company and met with their engineer and we came up with a plan to provide elect.to the home and shop that would not require the cutting or trimming of any of my trees.
When I arrived at my property last week there were at least thirty 2" trees ,that served as a privacy fence, cutt down along my drive way.There was a 16" willow oak cutt to the ground.But,worste of all they had cutt all of the limbs on one side of the red oak that we had faced or house towards.
I was sick to my stomach. My wife cried for two hours.
I contacted the Utility company and they accepted responsibility.I live in North East Texas. What should a poor old country boy do???


How do you assign a value to something that ment so much?

Reply to post by paul franklin, on May 06, 2002 at 18:34:59:

Sorry to hear about the damage / loss to your trees Paul. Find a local consulting arborist who is either a member of ASCA ( American Society of Consulting Arborists), or an ISA ( International Society of Arborists) certified arborist, familiar with tree and landscape appraisals. they can attach a monetary value to your loss. Good Luck,

James.

Reply to post by paul franklin, on May 06, 2002 at 18:34:59:

Paul, first record every conversation and event with the utility. Get the utility's acceptance of responsibility in writing/taperecorded if possible.

www.asca-consultants.org can refer you to someone experienced in appraisal of the economic value of trees. If the red oak was severely pruned, diminished present value and different prognosis for the future (open to wilt infection?)should be noted.

Proceed to sue them for their eyeteeth and molars too if you can. It won't bring things back to the way they were, but it should cover the cost of "curing" some of your loss, and make them a little more careful about their work next time.

You're in shock now, but the sooner you act the sooner the psychological damage may heal.
Regretfully Yours, Guy Meilleur

Reply to post by James Causton, on May 06, 2002 at 18:34:59:


Get them to agree to provide you with free electricity for the next 20 years.

Then go and install electric heat, electric hot water, and buy a 10,000 watt stereo.


I'm sorry. I hate em too.


bob