A Tree Crew Just Left My House. [View all]

[MineralMan]

Some volunteer maple trees had come up behind our garage (damned maples) and were in the electrical wires in the utility easement. I had started on pruning things back a couple of weeks ago, but it looked like too dangerous a job for my amateur tree-trimming skills. So, I called Excel Energy, our power company. Someone came and checked and agreed that it wasn't a good situation. The power company handles that kind of thing at no charge to homeowners, which I didn't know until I looked on their website. They contract out the work to tree services in the area, I discovered. Good news for me. Bad news was that the power company said that they'd only cut the trees back so they didn't pose a risk to their power lines. Oh well. I could handle the rest, I figured.

So, today, a truck from Wright Tree Service pulled up and a crew of five had showed up to do this modest job. I walked back with the crew leader to check things out. He looked at the maples and said, "You know, it would be easier for us if we just took these things down to the ground. Would that be OK with you?" I said, "That'd be great." Then he said, "Normally, we leave the brush and branches, but I have a big crew, so we'll just chip it all up for you. No problem." "That'd be wonderful," I responded.

Anyhow, it took them less than an hour to cut those big, 4-inch diameter saplings down, drag them to the street and chip them up. I was out in the front yard watching the chipper eat the stuff and turn it into mulch. Finally, the crew leader came over to tell me they were through. I offered my thanks, and asked, "Can I contribute to morning coffee or lunch for your crew?" "No need for that," he said. I handed him $40 anyhow, and told him that I insisted. He pocketed the money and just said, "Thanks." They had gone way beyond what their contract with the power company called for, were friendly, efficient and did a great job. They even chipped the branches I had already trimmed and stacked up. I'm very appreciative for all of that extra stuff, but they did it just because they did it.

A good experience for a Thursday morning. Good folks working here in the Twin Cities. Working people often go beyond what they're required to do, and often get nothing for their extra effort, not even a thank you.

So, Thanks, Guys! This 68-year-old guy appreciates it a lot. Now, I'll head over to Yelp! and write a good review of Wright Tree Service.