if you've had your shrubs pruned by a landscaper

j&j1999

did they remove all the clippings?  We had a landscaper come and trim back about 10 bushes and they left the clippings from all of them on the ground and mulched on top.  We didn't notice at first b/c the mulch was all nice and neat but now that it is getting a bit weathered, there are clippings everywhere! 

Is there some reason he might have done this?  I am no expert, it looks horrible but before I call to complain I just want to make sure that there isn't some landscaper's "thing" that would make this a good thing, you know maybe for fertilization or something???

TIA!

strangebird

We regularly have a landscaper take care of the foundation plantings at my elderly grandmother's home--he never leaves clippings and I would not be happy at all if he did. He does, however, leave them in her compost pile. It could be he meant for them to "compost" along with the mulch, but since you're paying for a service, I would definitely question it.

blue_elle

We're in a townhouse so our front lawn is always cared for by landscapers. We've had two different companies and I've never seen clippings from shrubs left behind. Now, I will admit I've not dug into the pine straw and checked but as it breaks down I've not ever noticed any non-pine material peeking through.

j&j1999

Yeah, I never noticed it before when I have lived in apt/condos now that you say that.  Ug, I really don't want to have to deal w/ this (my hatred for confrontation is off the charts) but it looks like I have a phone call to make on monday.  Thanks ladies!

~NB~

I always make sure I know what the client wants me to do. If they want to pay my hourly rate for cleanup, I'll do it. I also make sure they understand how much $ they would save by cleaning it up themselves. That usually makes the decision VERY easy for them. They don't need my knowledge or expertise to do that.