Homeowner contacts manager after tree trimmers leave softball-sized hole in their driveway

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Apr 1, 2026 3:00 PM EDT

This homeowner couldn't believe that tree trimmers dropped a tree on their driveway, leaving it broken and damaged in several spots. 

Tree trimming isn't a perfect science. Even the most experienced tree trimmers sometimes knock down branches or tree limbs onto places where they didn't intend for them to land. It's an unfortunate outcome, and in this person's case, they had to get in contact with a project manager in order to fix such a big mistake. 

They told their story below, but honestly, you just have to see the pictures of the damaged driveway to believe it. 

As this person shared in the first part of their story, the tree trimmers were assigned to take down some trees that were interfering with the power lines. Happens all the time. These pesky trees are always entangling their limbs with the power lines, which is convenient if you're a squirrel who wants to travel across a neighborhood with ease, and inconvenient if you're a human being who doesn't want a storm to knock their power out. 

This is way worse than losing power for a few minutes, though. This person was left with lasting damage to their driveway that seems costly to fix on their own. As you'll read about in their 4 updates, it took a little bit of effort to get a fix in motion. 

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  • Large tree beside car and driveway.
    via Urvish Oza

    Large tree beside car and driveway.

  • Duke Energy trimmers dropped a tree on my driveway

    Duke Energy sent people out to take down trees near power lines. I get that and they have been here before.
    via scheisterm
  • This time though I watched them drop a tree on my driveway and damage it. What's the normal way of getting this fixed?
    via scheisterm

  • This is just unexcusable!

    Cheezburger Image 10620224512
    via scheisterm

    That is a massive hole, but I would hope it's an easy fix. The company that made the driveway hole should be paying for it, of course. 

  • Here's an even larger crack

    Cheezburger Image 10620224256
    via scheisterm

    This looks like they did some real damage to this person's driveway unfortunately… Time to call in a manager ASAP.

  • Tree guy wants to go to Home Depot on Monday and fix it himself. I want a repair that will last, not look awful and not immediately fail.
    via scheisterm
  • This is in Ohio with terrible winters. How are these things normally handled? I imagine he's wanting to fix it so Duke doesn't get complaints?
    via scheisterm
  • EDIT #1: I have a feeling there will be multiple edits... I told to not do anything in a text message.
    via scheisterm
  • I come home and there is a cone from them and cold patch in the driveway.
    via scheisterm
  • Cheezburger Image 10620224000
    via scheisterm

  • Alright, let's get into the (multiple) updates

    I call, no answer, leave a voicemail. I'm sure this will be a fantastic experience. EDIT #2: So I decided to go through Duke's online claim form to see what it is like...
    via scheisterm

    As you might imagine, they responded pretty quickly once this person started filing claims, leaving a paperwork trail behind them. 

  • They have a specific option for property damage from their tree trimming service that lists damage to a driveway, so I just filed a claim with Duke.
    via scheisterm

  • Things actually got really interesting here

    I guess we'll see how this plays out. EDIT #3: I got called REAL quick, like within an hour of filling out that form.
    via scheisterm
  • It was from the project manager over seeing this project in the area. While he was talking he explained how this should work, he comes out, does an eval, they call local asphalt companies (he specifically said a line someone else posted in here) that "They are a tree company, not an asphalt company." The asphalt company comes out and repairs the driveway.
    via scheisterm
  • He then set up a meeting with me tomorrow at 2:30pm. At that point I thanked him for the explanation and then told him, "But wait!
    via scheisterm
  • There's more!" I said I had talked to the foreman the day it happened. His plan to come back with Home Depot cold patch, how I texted him to not do that and how I came home to a tree service cone in the driveway and cold patch in my driveway.
    via scheisterm

  • Apparently, this is the new guy's doing!

    He let out a sigh and said the foreman is from another area and just started working this area two weeks ago.
    via scheisterm

    It could be an excuse, but I mean… there's a lot of miscommunications going around, and leaving massive driveway holes around town isn't something a seasoned professional would be getting away with. If this happened to someone experienced, I'd imagine they would inform the homeowner and probably do a lot of paperwork about it. Only someone new to the job (or just really uncaring) would leave this for the homeowner to deal with on their own. 

  • Homeowner stands in front of large piece of fallen tree, staring at his phone as he contacts the project manager.
    via Thom Holmes

    Homeowner stands in front of large piece of fallen tree, staring at his phone as he contacts the project manager. 

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • This isn't how they should operate and procedures weren't followed. But still said they would get this resolved the correct way.
    via scheisterm
  • I'll probably follow up after tomorrow. EDIT #4: I met with the project manager from the tree service today.
    via scheisterm
  • He again explained that what I initially experienced was not the expected procedure. Their offer is to replace the whole section where both spots are with a local asphalt company, which it more than fair.
    via scheisterm
  • He offered to also fill in some of the large spots in the yard and re-seed where the trees took out the grass.
    via scheisterm
  • He wanted to come out and check the area out and explain how it should have been done and also get my side of the story.
    via scheisterm
  • The crew's version of events and mine do not line up. He said this apparently wasn't the only thing this crew wasn't honest about.
    via scheisterm
  • He said he would keep me updated with getting a quote from a company and time frame.
    via scheisterm
  • Large tree fallen on lawn and road.
    via Getty Images

    Large tree fallen on lawn and road.

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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