ADVERTISEMENT: Advertorial - Pruning objectives, part one

When a customer calls us for a tree removal quote, both the arborist and client have pretty clear objectives. The tree should disappear with only a bit of sawdust showing it was ever there.

With pruning however, there lies a fair amount of subjectivity. On a quote for ornamental and shade tree pruning, it is really important as an arborist to ask open questions vs. leading questions.

An open questions invokes a basic “yes” or “no” answer, whereas an open question invokes more thought and hopefully more information from the customer that can get you both on the same page of clarity.

An example of a leading question might sound like, “So this is the Norway Maple you would like pruned?” The answer is a simple, “Yes.” An open question might sound something like, “What do you envision this Norway Maple to look like when its finished being pruned?” 

And the answer might sound something like, “Well it's getting to close to the roof, I'm having to duck under it when I mow and there was a lot of dead branches in it that I want to get removed.” Now we are getting closer to an understanding, but this is where it can get tricky as a professional, because you might get something like, “I don’t know, you're the expert, you tell me,” or “I want it much smaller and just need you to cut 8 to 10 feet off the top where I can’t reach.” If this happens, Houston, we have a problem!

At this point, we will need to back up a bit and blind them with large scientific words and ... I'm kidding! (Late April Fools') We do need to take time, however, to educate people. Keep it in terms anyone can understand and teach them a bit of tree biology, proper pruning, harmful tree practice and the trees response to both.

A very wise friend often says “words matter” and they truly do. A lot of times, a customer calls on a feeling they have that their tree needs pruned but lacks proper terms or the ability to describe what they envision.

Back to the example of the open question and response from the customer. I might respond to them by saying, “So, if we lift prune this Norway Maple to 8 feet so you can mow without hitting your head, directional prune the portion of the crown close to the roof for 6- to 8-foot clearance and remove all broken, dead and weakly attached limbs, you would be satisfied?”

You will know you are on the right track of pruning objectives when you hear “Yeah” or "Yes, exactly!”

More on this topic next week and as always, for further questions, consultations and quotes, give us a call today, 208-762-5800! For more information on Grace Tree Service, check out our website at gracetreeservice.com.