December Customer Appreciation: The Zierolds in Hillsborough

December Customer Appreciation: The Zierolds

 

The Zierolds live in Hillsborough, NJ. They had moved into a new development and had us work on their property. In June 2010, Ralph did computer image designs for them and upon approval, he created the landscaping, as per that design. This included the front landscape, walkway and wall.

In 2011, they asked Ralph back to plant a perimeter of trees in the back yard and also hedges. This year, they decided to finish the backyard landscaping and also add a new staircase off the back of the house and a walkway. It was a wandering walkway, using Belgard portage stone in Tan/Charcoal blend.

 

Were you satisfied with the overall work that Truesdale did?

Yes.

How did you find working with Ralph?
He was awesome - a man's man. He tells you right up front what will work and what won't. He takes your ideas, listens to them, and then turns them into reality. He is very honest. Even after we agreed with the pavers for the back patio and walkway, he had thought about it more and came back with an even better idea. He never stopped thinking about what would look best for our property.
Even after this past storm, Ralph was here in a few days staking up our trees and cleaning up our yard.

How was the office staff?
Paula was very knowledgeable on the phone. She always followed through.

How was the crew?
The crew were very clean, polite and thorough.

Is the end result what you had envisioned?
It was even more than what we had envisioned. We love it!

Is there anything our company couldn’t provide you with?
The only thing was the iron railing, but we needed a custom one and had to go to an iron works place.

How is Truesdale different from other companies you have worked with?
We like that the owner comes out at the start of the job and at each new stage. Ralph actually gets on the machine and works, too. We never felt that he sold the job and was now at the next customer. He continually kept in touch and stopped by during the process.

Any other comments you would like to share?
The computer imaging really helped us get an idea of the final product and that is what sold us. We had originally gotten an estimate from the local landscaper and it looked like everyone else's in the development. We didn't want that, we wanted a park like setting and Ralph achieved that for us. Our neighbor used him, too, and we sit on the patio together and say how much we love our patio and landscaping. Ralph did a great job!

BEFORE TRUESDALE LANDSCAPING



A BEAUTIFUL TRANFORMATION
BY TRUESDALE LANDSCAPING



 

2012 Truesdale Employee of the Year: Ray Merrill

Ray Merrill, 2012 Employee of the Year

Ray Merrill has worked at Truesdale Nursery & Landscape Services for 12 years and is this year’s Employee of the Year. Ralph Dinizo, President of Truesdale, said the reason he chose Ray this year was because of his commitment to constantly improve his knowledge and skills, the care he takes with each job, and the dedication he has shown to Truesdale.

Ray’s dedication to Truesdale’s customers is shown by the nice words they have for him:

“When I look out my window and see the Truesdale truck, I know that, by the end of the day, everything will be beautiful. And, if I see Ray, I know that every detail will be remembered and handled in an efficient way. Ray has the professional knowledge and skill needed; he goes about his job with strong, quiet and effective leadership.” – Mrs. Margaret Tunstall, Summit

“Ray has helped with the landscaping of our garden for many years. His expertise, helpfulness and friendliness have contributed to the excellent relationship we have fostered with Truesdale. We value his commitment, and look forward to working with him for many years to come.” – Mrs. Ingrid Flannery, New Providence

Ray was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and grew up in Basking Ridge. He has been working in the Horticultural Business all of his life. He had started at Wightman’s Farm and worked there for 25 years. After that, he worked for a few other growers around NJ, working with annuals and perennials, before finally finding a home at Truesdale.

Ray began his career at Truesdale assisting the Nursery’s clients and eventually he became the buyer of the Nursery stock. Ralph had noticed his skills with plants and moved Ray out of the Nursery and into the field. Now, Ray’s main job includes going to our clients and doing selective pruning and trimming of their properties. His knowledge of plants and trees is extensive. Not only can he properly prune your trees and shrubs but is able to analyze them while he is there. He notices when they are diseased and what would be necessary to treat them. He will see how the soil, moisture, and other external elements are for your plant and make suggestions or give solutions to different problems.

Not only does Ray bring all of his many years of knowledge to each of his clients, but he is an avid reader and continues to enhance his knowledge.

Ray prides himself on his honesty and has said that he tries to do the best job he can in the quickest time. He also has been amazed over the years at how many landscape companies have no insurance, no licensing, no plant knowledge and how they are not honest. He says that when you use these types of companies “eventually you will pay the cost because of the damage done and, because of that, you will lose your plants.”

He wanted me to pass on to whomever reads this article, that you should never wait too long to prune because when it is done too late, you just have to start all over. Protect your investment now.

If you want Ray to come out and evaluate your trees and shrubs, give us a call and we will send him out to meet with you.