Tree Masters — Local services in Honolulu

I hired this company to trim my mango tree, and it was a complete disappointment. Despite multiple attempts to work with them as I know times are hard and things get busy, they repeatedly failed to meet expectations, and provided only excuses when you ask them what's going on. Summary of issues below..

Initial Delay: After giving them my deposit, they were supposed to start work on 10/11 but canceled less than 30 minutes before the scheduled time, citing a smaller crew than expected. No apology for my time lost at first, but gave a 10% discount AFTER I explained my frustration as I took time off from work to be there and had to reschedule landscaping contractors coming the next week.

Rescheduled Work: Work was rescheduled to start between 9-10am on 10/16. By 10:30am on 10/16, no one had shown up. I asked for my deposit back unless they proved they were serious about taking my job, and they offered another 15% discount and promised to start on 10/18 and complete the work no later than 10/19.

Work Starts on 10/18: Only Marcus showed up, not the larger crew promised. No equipment, just a chainsaw and climbing gear to cut a giant mango tree. He worked 5.5 hours but left my yard a mess, with branches scattered everywhere, including on my neighbor’s lawn and the sidewalk fronting my house. He said he'd return with a chipper on 10/19.

Further Delays on 10/19: Marcus showed up with one helper but no chipper. He claimed he needed to build a box around his truck bed to catch chippings and rent the chipper still. His worker was unproductive as he is waiting for Marcus to return with the chipper. I go outside to check on progress to find him sleeping in the yard shirtless, and I find falling tree trimmings damaged small branches on my plumeria trees, made divots in my grass, ripped up plastic edging, and damaged my chain link fence. (Side note: While waiting for Marcus, the worker tells me Marcus just hired him 3 days ago, and has sent him to jobs alone. He also tells the worker that more people will eventually show up to help, which they never did)

Poor/Disrespectful Responses: When I raised concerns, Marcus dismissed them, saying they were “non-issues” for other clients. He blamed me for holding them accountable for their mistakes and damages, and then stated he is not returning with a chipper today and will do it on 10/20. He doesn't ask or consider your time, or the impact his unprofessionalism has. At the end of it, he tells me "i do not care if you write a bad review." I had it after that.

At the end of 10/19, they left my yard a mess, and I told them not to return to remove the rubbish on my property. I would rather pay someone twice as much as Marcus to finish the job than give him another cent. The entire experience was unprofessional, and I would never use them again or recommend them to anyone.

I didn't ask for for this job to win any awards. All they had to do was be timely, considerate, and professional in performing the work they are getting paid to do. Not shocked, just disappointed.

Mind you, I had three bids for this job, and Marcus was not the lowest bidder. I still picked him based on his past reviews regarding mango trees. So this is not a matter of money, its the lack of professionalism and respect this company had to offer...

I like Tree Masters because of Marcus the owner and his personal style. He started his business before he graduated from High School and is skilled at and knowledgable about pruning trees. He stands out from past tree trimmers who simply chopped and/or chainsawed across the top of our trees sometimes killing them. Marcus prunes according to the science of tree growth to create the artistically designed pattern we requested. For example, the debris from our plumeria trees which have grown to a height above our house clog our rain gutters. We asked that they be pruned lowered and with confined within a specific zone. Marcus has been pruning with this goal in mind for a couple years with the patience it takes to achieve such a goal. Another example is we asked to be able to pick the flowers of our puakenikeni tree from our front porch and he made that happen too. We have many more specific goals concerning shade, privacy and appearance and Marcus knows how to achieve them and is willing to work with us. He is worth the wait when I schedule him. I have to work hard to stop the neighbors, friends and others from cutting our trees because we can only afford him annually. Each year the trees get closer and closer to our vision thanks to Marcusʻ hard work. Marcus also lets us help him load the branches in his truck when he is the only one on the job. It works out well because the time spent together allows me to communicate better our goals for the trees that I may have left out originally. He cuts our panex, puakenkeni, plumeria, money tree. crotons and...

Our Bridal Bouquet Plumeria tree was pulled from the roots as a result of heavy rains and strong winds, I spoke with Marcus on a Saturday, Tree Masters responded quickly. Two days following my initial contact on Saturday, the estimator came to assess the damage, I received the estimate and arranged an appointment. The crew came on the following Saturday. I requested help for our Bridal Bouquet Plumeria tree and our orange tree. I am very pleased with the outcome. The Bridal Bouquet Plumeria could not be saved, but they crew saved and potted 5 starters to plant when ready. The orange tree was well trimmed and groomed, resulting in a bumper crop of oranges I was not able to see or pick, and the crew set aside the oranges on the trimmed branches and exposed more oranges still hanging. The area was clean and all materials taken away. I only needed to juice the oranges and water. the starters.

All staff were very pleasant, professional and understood our needs. They are truly "Tree Masters". The cost was very reasonable.

I highly recommend Tree Masters. I will reqest further...