I understand that many people believe that anyone can take care of plants and sometimes people believe that we are doing nothing more than overcharging for a job that could be easily performed by the homeowner. The old addage applies here . . if the customer could do it . . we wouldn't be here. Then again sometimes the people that call upon us to do our stuff are a little slow :-) and I mean that in the sense that common sense slips from their mind. Here are some of my favorite questions asked by potential customers.

• Do you trim trees?

Normaly this would be a valid question if on the phone, but I was asked by a by-passer while I was stacking branches from a tree that we were trimming infront of a chipper, with a load of wood chips on the truck. Despite the stupid question I said, "Uh, yes, I believe we do trim trees . . would you like a business card?

• Do you sell flowers?

Ok, I am not sure but it is clearly marked on our sign that we specialize in Evergreens and Decidous Trees, but 30% of the people that pull into the parking lot ask "Do you sell Flowers?". Not only do we not sell flowers, but there is no mention of flowers in the sales area. Stupid People.

• Oh my God what have you done to my plants/trees . . you killed them

This is the normal response of a customer after we have trimmed their trees, overgrown evergreens or shrubs. Do you think we don't know what we are doing? Honestly, we charge you a substantal amount of money for us to kill your plants?