On Wednesday, Attorney General Nessel reached agreements with several tree service companies. A default judgment bars Canary Tree Service and its owner Justin Hartmann from operating in Michigan. Additional settlements with Garrison McKinney and Holtslander include contract reforms, required written quotes, and financial restitution to affected consumers.
Lawsuits arose after tree companies had violated the Michigan Consumer Protection Act in the wake of severe weather events from 2021 to 2023. Allegations included deceptive contracts, inflated pricing, and failure to clearly disclose costs and legal obligations. Additionally, these tree companies were accused of price gouging during peak demand and misleading customers regarding insurance coverage and financial responsibilities.
