Hercules Tree Service LLC — Local services in Akron

We had a large silver maple taken off our property by Hercules. This was the second job they've done for us. While the tree removal itself (and crew) were great, the stump removal process was another story. Not only did they leave a huge mess across our yard and deck from the stump itself, we also found large metal shards in our yard/driveway once we returned home for the day. I emailed, to no response and then called in to follow up about a week later.

I talked to Cody, who started out the conversation saying he was informed of the situation (why no return email or call?) and that ACTUALLY the grinder apparently hit a piece of metal in my tree and I could be on the hook for another $800 for damages to the grinder. How am I supposed to know what is growing inside of a large tree? Also, no communication of this after the fact, no clean up of the hazard they were well aware of. Eventually I was offered an apology but that's about it. Looks like I now am in the market for a metal detector to sweep my yard so kids and animals don't get hurt. Also sounds like whatever hazard was in the tree was simply left in the hole for myself/future landscaping to deal with. All in all, a disappointing end to the experience and myself/friends/family will be looking elsewhere for tree work in the future.

edit based on management response: wow, im not sure where to start. Based on our phone conversation earlier (im assuming this is Cody) we did cover the fact of the danger of what you claim was metal already in our tree hitting the grinder. Still not sure how we were supposed to be aware of this in the first place? Your team removed the tree. This was also long after you somehow tried to put the blame on us instead of addressing the issues and danger/mess left behind. The metal we found so far also doesn't look like metal from almost 70-80 years ago. It looks strangely like teeth/blades off a machine. The pictures are in the email I sent.

You do have us on the contract info about the haul away, however, as I told you on the phone, I wish that would have been more clearly conveyed when the quote/assessment of the job was originally given. This was not left "as if the tree was never there" as I was originally told.

Im really taken aback by the baseless attack and assuming we were not happy with the result based on the gender of your worker. We had no clue who did the job because we were never notified you'd be on our property. We came home to the mess and shrapnel (your words) covering our lawn and driveway. And you would have never told us/addressed the situation until I had to reach out to you multiple times. Weird for it being such a large event in the day of your employee. You also told me on the phone the reason we were not notified by the grinder team was because they were busy "getting ready to go on to the next couple jobs", I would think that comment would lead about anybody to believe everyone was ok. But no concern for what was left behind, not even a call.

Completely unprofessional to deflect and attack me for some sort of baseless discrimination claim. It's no worry of ours that we will not be able to use you in the future. I hope your response gives other potential customers pause that this is how you choose to deal with a...

Although there are many 5 star reviews, I am only giving one star. This past fall a tree worker from this business came to my home and verbally stated a price of $1,200 for the removal of a spruce tree. Nothing was given to me in writing. I was not told he would be doing the estimate. The fact that he arrived was a total unplanned occurance. This price was more than $400 above any previous estimates from others. I asked why the estimator that I was told would be doing the estimate did not come. At that point the worker became unpleasant and left. I never heard from the business again. Due to family situations, I let the tree removal go until this spring. Then I had two more businesses give estimates. I saw a car with Hercules tree advertised on it in my neighborhood. I called for an estimate, not remembering that this was the same business from last fall. Well if I had recognized that, I certainly would not have called again. A Planned on person named Bob came out. Very pleasantly and quickly gave a estimate and details were discussed to my satisfaction. At that point I told Bob to reclassify the estimate to a go ahead status. I was told it would be 3 weeks wait for an appointment. The appointment was set for May 13. It was very wet so a postponement was planned. This past weekend I received a message from Bob saying the business was cancelling their contract with me since they had researched me and found the previous estimate from the fall for $1,200. Further stating that at that time I told the fall worker to leave my property. So go get another tree service. Now it needs to be known that the second estimate was a very realistic price. The total was $750. which included a cost if $100 for stump grinding. The $1,200 estimate did not. So end result from a cost of $1,200 to $650 is quite a difference, $550. I don't know why such a difference. I was told the current owner, Cody Butzner, made the decision to cancel. P.S. Please read my questioned response to the business response. You may certainly fine me $200., but read your statement about you may cancel due to weather. That was done by your business. So the facts remain. I've written the truth. If you wish to carry out your agenda against a senior citizen, and I repeat, I am the proud mother of a Green Beret U.S. Army soldier who protects you and gives you your freedom, then do so. Bear in mind you may do whatever you think you need to do to show that you can.....but at least do it courteously and...

I contacted Hercules after they cut a tree in my front yard to access a neighbors yard. I reached out interested in getting a quote for tree trimming/removal in my backyard as well as to clean up the branches they left hanging in the front yard. At first things were great - someone came out to assess my trees, told me there was no immediate need to clean anything up in the back, but they would provide an itemized quote if I wanted to take care of some things when the trees were dormant. They also said they would come out and clean up the branches they cut in my front yard at their next convenience (next time they were in the area). But this was 2.5 weeks ago. Below is the tree in the front yard still with a broken hanging branch, and a tree in my backyard they told me they were not concerned about. I've called several times over the 2.5 weeks to get my full quote and an update on when they can fix the broken tree, but still can't get an answer.

EDIT: In response to your reply, I respectfully ask to be left out of your church. However, I’m more than happy to show you the property lines, where it’s clear that the branches removed were entirely within my lot. I completely understand the importance of emergency services, my primary concern is the lack of professionalism displayed by your company. This includes failing to return any phone calls or emails and the incorrect diagnosis of the tree, which subsequently caused thousands of dollars in damages less than two weeks after your specialist inspected it. I believe this highlights a significant lapse in your service. Since you seem religious, I will pray to Buddha, Allah, and Krishna that this feedback helps improve your processes in...