Accounts: Payment
Payment is due upon completion. Open Canopy Tree Co. may request credit on file in order to guarantee your service and reserve the right to charge your credit card after completion if an alternative payment is not received in advance. Your prompt payment is appreciated.
Minimum Charges
A minimum service charge of $250.00 applies to all services.
Warranty
If you are not completely satisfied with our work, Open Canopy Tree Co. will return to diagnose and repair, if necessary, at no extra charge, providing that your account is not overdue. Please note: Deficiencies must be reported to our office within 48 hours of job completion.
Delays
Open Canopy Tree Co. conducts its business in a timely and diligent manner. We will not be liable for any losses due to delay in service caused by inclement weather conditions, or any other unforeseen accident, incident or circumstance beyond our control.
Property Damage
Open Canopy Tree Co. is not liable for any damage to underground irrigation systems, buried landscape fabric, or other hidden concealed objects. It is reasonable to expect some disturbance to the work area, which may include but is not limited to ruts, dents, light or heavy pedestrian/ equipment traffic on nearby lawns, flowers, shrubs or plant material (varies with the scope of work), scratches to fence or gates, chips or dents to unprotected buildings or structures. We will take reasonable and diligent care to prevent damage when given appropriate instructions. This includes a worksite free of obstacles such as lawn furniture, toys, planters, barbeques, bird or dog houses, dog or pet feces and other objects that may interfere with the service. We will take reasonable measures to ensure the work site is left in good condition however due to the nature of the services some debris, sawdust, leaves, branches or unrecoverable material may be left on site. We reserve the right to refuse work when conditions have changed from the time of the estimate or prevent the safe execution of our services. In the unlikely event that damage occurs, we will honour invoices from a subcontractor known to us, and accept or decline this for payment depending on the circumstances at hand. These conditions are subject to change without notice.
Cancellation
We require notice in advance of 24 hours of scheduled service visits in order to cancel or postpone service. Open Canopy Tree Co. may reserve the right to cancel or reprice any service in the event that an account has become delinquent or if working conditions have changed so as to make any particular task too dangerous or impossible to complete safely.
Stump Grinding
Our machines reduce stumps to wood chips of a depth of 12 inches (30 cm) below grade. Large, surrounding roots close to the surface can also be ground, roots smaller than 4 inches (10 cm) must be removed using other means. Stump chips are usually left in place in a neat pile for later use as mulch, or can be placed under trees and shrubs directly. Mulch can be removed from the site upon request. There is a minimum service fee of $100.00 for stump grinding.
Pruning
Removing branches that are crossing or rubbing, and dead and diseased branches. Pruning for clearance may also be suggested if the tree is close to structures. We aim for 3’ of clearance from roof lines and buildings.
Regeneration
Cutting of a hedge or bush to ground level or close to it, to allow for uniform regrowth. This is best done in the Fall/Winter, after leaf drop.
Hedge Spraying
Application of dormant oil (horticultural oil) in the spring to help combat Oystershell scale. Oil is applied with a sprayer in the first 2 weeks of June. Our spray is environmentally friendly. Spraying is priced by the linear foot and has a $30.00 minimum charge.
Deep Root Fertilization
Deep root fertilization provides nutrition by injecting the soil with fertilizer. The high-pressure injection process helps ensure that the fertilizer can reach the deepest tree roots. This feeds trees from the root up, providing far more nutrient absorption than traditional methods of fertilization. Deep root fertilization is a crucial step in tree care, especially when trees and shrubs are planted outside of their natural habitat. Trees grown on private and commercial properties do not have the same soil conditions that you would find in the wild. Because of this, trees often need supplemental nutrition to be at their healthiest.
Crown Restoration
The selective removal of branches to increase light and air penetration throughout the canopy. Thinning opens the foliage of a tree, reduces weight on heavy limbs, distributes ensuing invigoration throughout a tree and helps restore the tree’s natural shape. Primarily used to repair “old topped” trees.
Crown Raising/Elevating
Removes the lowermost branches of a tree in order to provide clearance for pedestrians, buildings, vehicles, vistas, or mowing equipment. We adhere to current City Bylaws.
Crown Reduction
Thins or heads back branches to reduce tree height and/or spread of the tree canopy by pruning back leaders to lateral branches. In most trees, (exceptions being most apple and some crabapples) this procedure is only done as a last resort instead of complete removal.
Cabling/Bracing
Involves the installation of threaded steel rod braces, and/or high-strength caves to preserve the integrity and natural structure of trees, and to offer protection during storms. It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that any hazardous tree with inherent structural weakness is inspected for safety by a Certified Arborist on a semi-annual basis (every six months to a year).
Reshaping or Shearing
For hedges or evergreens where a formal, neat compact appearance is required. Should be started early in the life of a tree or hedge and repeated at least once per season for hedges and every one to two years for evergreens for best results.
Cutting to Grade/Removal
This means cutting a tree or shrub as close to the ground as possible. Open Canopy Tree Co. prefers to cut and leave firewood in 12-16” (30-40cm) lengths wherever possible. Brush removal and chipping are included unless otherwise directed. If wood is unwanted by the homeowner, it will be posted to free wood supply sites and picked up as firewood. This may take a few days. If the wood is unclaimed in a week's time, Open Canopy Co. will remove it at no extra charge.
