HLI Tree Care

Caveat emptor. I hired HLI to remove a tree and grind the stump for $850 dollars. We later agreed to prune trees along my property line for an additional $200. The crew worked quickly to remove the tree and prune my neighbors trees along my property line, but work was sloppy at best. They used my flower planter as a step stool and crushed all of my chrysanthemums without any thought whatsoever. The tree removal was not well conducted, and my nylon privacy fence was cut in several places by the crew removing branches too big for the walk way. And then we come to the stump grinding. The foreman informed me that they could not do the stump grinding that day as they did not have the right size equipment for the job (despite having surveyed it before giving the original quote). The foreman told me they would be back the next day at 10AM to grind the stump. They did not show. Then for the next 2 weeks my calls and messages went unanswered. No one would commit to come back and grind the stump. Finally, I was ready to send a certified cure letter, when I called the company "offices" in Rancho Cucamonga for one last plea for action. The same day, they sent a different company as a sub-contractor to complete the job and grind the stump. At the end of the project, the foreman told me they would charge me an extra $200 for the property line pruning. So the $1050 job was now $1250 with fence damage and destroyed flowers. Since I am selling the house, I could not risk a mechanic's lien on the property, so I paid. I could NEVER recommend this company to anyone. They presented very well and professional at the estimate, only to leave me gouged and entirely disappointed in Angie's List referral process. Caveat Emptor-- Buyer Beware.

The crew arrived and started to work first thing in the morning. One of my dogs freaked out; I had to spend a long time giving him calm drops, putting on his thunder coat and just reassuring him the noise wouldn't kill him. Due to this I wasn't able to be out and watching as soon as I wanted to be. When I finally tried to get out to check the progress; I wasn't able to get through the side gate due to debris, I went and looked out a window. From there I saw the mutilated stump of my best producing pomegranate tree. I also worked out that all the branches of the other tree were on the ground as well! The one thing I asked them not to do! I demanded to know how this had happened to the nearest worker, who had no idea what I was talking about. He called his supervisor, Mike, to talk to me. Mike then claimed that another tree they were taking out fell at an unexpected angle and somehow a single branch of that, completely destroyed the two pomegranate trees, to the point that they had to be cut off at ground level. As we were talking about two ten foot multi trunk trees, spaced three feet apart, I find this impossible to believe. If this did happen, then your crew would not have been working in a safe manner. Why was I not told immediately when it happened. And no one had thought that they should take an image of the accident, should they need to explain themselves. I believe that my concerns about retaining the pomegranate trees safely had not even be relayed to the crew at all. Mike, the supervisor, seemed to think that he should try and get me to focus on other things, sending a crew member out the front to do a very minor trim on two crepe myrtle trees. He even gave me advice on an orange tree in a 5 gallon pot that I have not gotten around to planting yet. Mike said if this was his crew they would already be digging holes for replacement trees; as two of the crew spent a lot of the day playing soccer as they worked. After they were done, I also found the crew had cut off a water faucet on a pvp pipe, Mike said he could fix it; but he never brought it up again. Mike said he would have a replacement tree to me by Friday 1-29-2021 end of day. End of day passed with no tree and no contact. Monday 2-1-2021, I texted asking for a status undated, a text back said I would hear something by 11:00 am. Tuesday, as I was about to call, I got a call from Mike J, saying a tree would be brought to my place by the end of day. Once again no tree and no further contact. I sent a follow up text asking for agreement in writing about replacing the trees, silence. I would think my $6,000.00 would be worth seeing to the customers needs that occurred due to your crews poor work planning. I finally found two acceptable trees myself; I asked HLI to agree to bring them to my property and plant them, and cover the costs, as I was paying for them to hold them. I asked if we could get a meeting of mind on this, I explained to put them on hold, I would need the first and last name of Mike J. He answered with Yes. So HLI agreed to transport and plant replacements; as I understood it. These sort of texts kept on, agreement but no name that could be used on the paperwork. I finally sent a text saying "First and last name for will call paperwork....". and got a usable answer. But then Mike claimed he NEVER agreed to plant anything! And he wouldn't answer when he would transport the trees. By this time I had gone and checked reviews on Angie's list and YELP; and discovered that I should have never trusted these folks. Many problems, reports of taking out wrong trees, and failing to fix damage, to taking trash cans belonging to the homeowners. I found out that my dentist is unhappy with them; as they won't give him something he needs for his taxes, along with a poorer quality job. After warnings from friends, I removed Mike's name from the will call so that my trees weren't stolen. While as a lady in my mid sixties, who can't dig a hole for a 15 gallon tree; I will find someone else rather to plant and fix the faucet; rather than trusting to HLI. I had to reach out for help on Facebook to get my trees home. I'm still owed for the replacement trees I bought and a soil improvement product. $213.02. Of course I was told that that check is in the mail; I doubt that I will ever see it. I feel I am owed planting costs as well. If, HLI had managed to not take out the pomegranate trees, they would have gotten a good grade from me; as they did a good job on removing the trash trees. But the mistakes and the bad responses make a good grade impossible.

After much delay and my posting a bad review on Angies List of the neglect to repair damage cause by a tree branch, Leonard and his crew stepped up . He sent 2 handymen out to fix the hole in our patio roofing and the rot the hole caused . He also had his crew come out a grind the rest of the large roots that were left behind by his crew the first time. I appreciate his new found efforts to make right what had gone wrong and am now pleased with their service. I just can't figure out how to remove my prior angry post.......

Leonard's crew removed our trees last summer. In doing so they damaged our patio cover. Leonard plays games when it comes to repairing the damage. He kindly tells you he will take care of art and then completely un-acknowledges that you even exist! His stead man drinks beer on the job all day. Most of the crew are decent people, but because of the few sketchy guy's, I was afraid to approach Leonard about the drinking or about the things that the crew did not complete. I would NEVER recommend this company nor trust them!

Excellent. Very professional and organized company. I would highly recommend to anyone needing tree service. I know that I will use them again.

When the sales person showed up he was very personable and professional. I was very impressed and looked forward to working with the company. The afternoon they started he was with the team and everything was done quite professionally, the trees were cut down and they then left to return the next day. A different team came that day and the feeling about them was very different. Yes they did the work but were not as personable and I felt deceived regarding payment.

This company respond to my request onsite estimate very quickly. Make appointment at 6:pm but they come at 5:pm when no one home, he just look outside on the street over my back yard and see no big tree. So he left, I call him and he told me there are not thing for him to do. Actually , I do have some big tree but not that tall need to remove. This company only look for big trees for service. Very Unprofessional. I'm not recommend this company.

Came over unannounced and said he'd honor a price if we hired him on spot. Our mistake for doing this without getting any other estimates. Did a decent job cutting down trees, but job seemed to be getting bigger and bigger plus more $$. of course. They broke a water valve, water pipe, an electric light, and numerous fencing pieces, and left my yard a dirty mess. They repaired the valve but it looks awful. They promised to come back to pressure wash my cement so I ASSUMED it meant they would finish cleaning up the mess they created and put all my plants, pots, and soil back in the garden. One of his guys did come back but wasn't prepared to actually do the work and then then left. Leo wouldn't return my calls, hung up when I phoned him (phone answered and then hung up), didn't respond to my texts, and then finally talked to me when he thought I was someone else! I tried one more time and finally he answered my call. His guys came back and cleaned up the yard ok and fixed the valve, bought a new light (but couldn't install it because they are not electricians), and left. When my sprinklers went on the next morning I realized there was a broken pipe and water was leaking everywhere but the garden. I DO NOT WANT TO EVER DEAL WITH HIM AGAIN, so I will not ask him to come back and fix this. Also, price was quoted for tree removal, and we did leave all the stumps, so no roots had to be removed. Thought that might mean a price reduction, but he said no!

I would NEVER recommend HLI. No integrity, no work ethic. They came out and trimmed several trees on two of the properties right next to me. One of the trees was in my neighbor's backyard and I was told that that they would be trimming that one the following day. I told him that I was happy about that because I would be home the next day. When I got home from work later that same day, I noticed from the street that they had trimmed the tree in the neighbor's backyard. There was debris covering my entire driveway and as I walked up to my brand new carport, I could see scrapes down the front of it where it had been damaged by tree branches being dragged off my carport. Then I noticed that my brand new stucco on the side of my house had marks on it, I assume from sap on tree branches as they fell. I called the HLI employee who had been here that morning. He said he would come out and look at the damage. He never showed up. When I called the second time, he again told me he would come that day and look at the damage. Again didn't show up. This is a company with no integrity and no work ethic.

The trees and vine was "trimmed" with a chainsaw. The pomegranate tree looks hacked with small broken branches sticking out here and there. They did not trim the dry dead undergrowth from the vine after shearing it with the chainsaw, so the fence line looks bad. Before I gave the person in charge my check, I asked him if they were going to clean up the debris, and he assured me they would. However, they did not clean up anything, so all of the debris and branches were left behind. I also discovered watermelon rinds in my front yard. I will admit that when they cut down my next door neighbor's tree, they stirred up a large bee hive, which possibly hindered their work performance, but still, as "professionals," I would think that they would be equipped to deal with this.

I have used HLI in the past for both tree trimming and general clean up. Prices are great; but the quality of service is sometimes wanting.. This time I had a clean up and haul away project in my back yard. I initially contacted Leonard on the phone, gave him the details. He said he was interested and would call me back. I waited 6 hours and never got a call back so I called him again. He said he would come by next day at 8am to look at the job and give me a quote. He never showed tha next day for the appointment !! My thought is that he should have told me up-front if he didn't want to do the job. I won't be using or recommending HLI again.

Took my check and never showed to do the work. Had to cancel my check

very expeditious

They were wonderful. They're really good and they clean up good. Everything is great with them.

We are not happy with the job that was done. For the most part, removing trees and bushes went well. Most everything was done with a chain saw, including the trimming of the hedges. The hedges are all wavy and not straight. The fruit and avocado trees were over trimmed, as was the oak. They left much debris behind and threw their food trash in the bushes. At least one of their employees was drinking beer while working and left bottles behind. Leonard, the owner, told me (After paying him) that if there were any problems, to call him and they would take care of them. A few days later I called him as one of his workers cut the base of a large bush in the front yard and left it in place while another employee trimmed it. Its completely dead and although both Leonard and Felix (foreman) said they would come out and take care of the problem, its been 10 days and no one has showed up. I still have a 7 ft high dead bush in my front yard! Also, good luck getting your discount! The salesman said he knows nothing about an Angies List discount. When I spoke to Leonard, he has only been a member for 2 weeks and had not told the salesman yet. Angies List shows this company has been a member since 11/2012.

Overall we are NOT happy with the service. They did not finish many items that the sales person promised. The head of the workers was very rude, when we insisted that they have to complete the job. I asked him if they had killed the roots as agreed. He said they did put the chemicals in. I asked him to show me where they put the chemicals. He got mad and said "if you don't want to pay, don't pay", then stormed away. Unfortunately, at that time, we have already paid him 95% of the agreed price. They left the wood chips cover the ground where they supposed to remove stumps. I asked him to clean up that roughly 5ft x 5ft area, he said the wood chips is too heavy for his truck. After they left, I found that the stumps were not removed 12 inches below ground as agreed, the roots were just buried in the wood chips. Poor job repairing garden fence broken during the tree removals, poor cleanup job. Price is not the cheapest of what we quoted, about average.

The HLI crew arrived and communciated with me and then immediately begin to work. There were several crew members and they begin work on each tree simulantaneously. Another group was cleaning up as the palm fronds were being cut. The whole process took about an half hour. Bottom line, excellent work and I will use them again.

Leonard called me, back with in seconds after I left a message, he scheduled to start the job the next day and finish in a couple hours. His workers are so fast yet! they did a great job! excelent work! I will definitely recommend to my family and friends. The price was great! i will be calling them to do my trees next year as well leonard was great to make business with. thank you HLI !!

I've been contacting Leonard for years, they do an amazing job ! super fast and also great prices his always on time and updates me on the progress of the work i will definitely recommend them to my family and friends they also gave me a 10% off for recommending my neighbors ! he has a great team! over all 5stars!! thank you leonard, keep up the good work see you next year!

We were very pleased with HLI and would absolutely hire them again!!

They are quick! A crew of four guys showed up immediately! They are working hard, and it looks like they are doing the work right. They are also cleaning up after themselves.