Nurtured For a Long Time
Many professions have licensing requirements and uniform standards for quality and compliance. In Tennessee, there is no state certification or licensing process for someone in the landscape profession, as there is for a builder, electrician, auctioneer, or cosmetologist. A landscape company can submit a low bid, get a contract for a project, then execute it with the poorest of professional and ethical standards — all without penalty, it seems.
Everything from planting to pruning to pest control requires knowledge and judgement, yet both are often sacrificed for the quick-fix and a signature on a contract. This sub-quality work comes at a price — to consumers, the environment, and the quality of neighborhoods. I just shake my head when I see large, beautiful trees dying, simply because someone didn’t know (or care) if the most basic planting standards were met.
A few weeks ago, I was driving down a side street and saw these glaring (and jarring) examples of how NOT to plant a tree:
Plant ‘Em High
Plant ‘Em Low
Plant ‘Em Crooked
And finally, we have the ultimate example of Oh. My. Goodness. How could you possibly do that many things to one tree?
A Good Tree, Sacrificed
A lot of resources go into growing a tree from seed or a cutting: water, labor, fertilizer, and plain old worry, especially if you’re a nursery owner in charge of seeing your plants through the challenges of drought, freezing temperatures, wind, and insects. For a young, thriving tree to meet its demise through human carelessness is just plain wrong.
I so agree! ‘Landscape professionals’ here are not too smart most of the time. Poor trees. I have a client who is dealing with the long term effects of tree being planted too deeply. They are struggling. Maybe the owners will take some action and get these planted properly.
makes you crazy doesn’t it? Watched mulch being spread today at the library today…you guessed it, piled high against the trunk.
I have my doubts about them taking action anytime soon Tina. The trees have been this way for almost two months I think. There are other ball-and-burlap trees nearby that have been exposed to multiple days of temperatures in the 20s. A real shame…
Wow! So pitiful. This type of work gives the entire landscape profession a bad name. There are a lot of conscientious, more than capable companies that do good work. I agree there should be some kind of licensing that would require all landscape companies to adhere at least to the basic planting standards and procedures.
Tree Nut: You’re so right about the need for some kind of state-wide standards. And, yes, there are many good companies that know their stuff and really care about quality and good workmanship. Unfortunately, they don’t always get the contracts or recognition.Thanks for your comments.
I agree, Janet. The mulch rings are everywhere….