Hello All,

Just finished up a big landscaping project. My contractor does all phases of landscape work and so I asked him to plant 6 bowhall maples....like all big projects, there were a few weeks of overrun and we went on vacation as he finished up and planted 6 Bowhall maples...well, we've returned and aren't pleased with their appearance. They all look scraggly and several have branches with 0 leaves.

He is promising me that with 2 fertilizations (said he'd do for free...next spring and fall), they will fill out greatly within a year. I rarely fertilize trees unless there is a need due to soil quality, so I am a bit skeptical bout that.

Because we asked him to plant the trees when we were away (we trusted his judgment) he wants to charge us several hundred bucks for the labor of taking them out....before I get into it with him, I am wondering what you experts think about whether these trees will leaf out more fully next spring, or whether I should have my guy pull all these trees.

Yes, I am pissed, and largely at myself for not being around to inspect before planting. But that's what I get for trusting.