Marc Mason Landscape Services

"concerning this client's comments , from services rendered at his property last fall/winter . upon my arrival at the site , it was obvious that the landscape was in moderate to severe neglect , especially the rear slopes .The slopes were heavily invested with a very invasive grass type weed . and most of the shrubs were also very over grown . the irrigation watering schedule was over watering , the irrigation system had numerous design deficiencies . it was apparent that no level of regular maintenance had been on going from the previous owner . i was very upfront (honest) with this client as to how we would clear/scrape only the slopes , not hand weed , "it was completely impractical" i told him due to the pervasive nature of this weed grass and would distrub and loosen the slope soils creating more complications . i stated right up front that realistically for the long term ,CONTROLLING the weed grasses , not ERADICATION was a more realistic /practical expectation due to the pervasive nature of this species of weed grass . and that a regular program of weekly maintenance and subsequent weed CONTROL, through "round-up" spraying was the only practical method in my opinion , based on my 34+years in the field . The client wasnt receptive (round-up) to this method . And it is true the weeds started to re-emerge , which i told him was likely . also as a courtesy to him i performed an irrigation system analysis of the property . identifying and recommending corrective action , i presented a detail cost for this work, he took under advisement . i also advised and showed him how to properly manage his irrigation system schedule going forward , and to mitigate further problems in the landscape . At the completion of the landscape clean-up work . The client and I discussed on a couple occasions , some landscape planting design ideas for the rear slopes . he emailed photos of plant selections he favored , and i believe that i understood what he was wanting ,he was initially receptive . however after a couple meeting/phone/email exchanges at that point i told him as the process went further , more time and details would be required and a paid for planting design was the next step . i attempted to follow up with him in this matter , but he didnt respond . subsequently he terminated are services , stating he didnt think he needed a maintenance service right now , in the winter . In conclusion the severe condition of the rear slopes and other issues (irrigation) around the property including a tree in very poor condition , that the client inherited from the previous owners presented many challenges for any professional landscape contractor . for such a complex challenge , there were no simple solutions . I was straight forward and honest with the client , and gave realistic expectations and in my opinion practical solutions , for the challenges presented to my company , as is my policy with all clients , since 1983 . sincerely marc mason marc mason landscape services"