Astrodime LLC

Serves Warwick, RI

35244

Hired 18 times

3 employees

6 years in business

Not yet available

4.7

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, Credit card, and PayPal.

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Credentials

Background Check

Sam Smiley
Completed on 5/2/2022

Introduction

Got Knotweed? Tangled in Bittersweet? Need a backyard renovation? Whether you're a new homeowner, contractor, business, or nonprofit, Owner sam smiley and their team can remove weeds and invasive species and help you redesign and re-vision your property. We are queer owned and operated ... and ready for climate change! My name is sam (they/them) and I am the owner and operator of Astrodime LLC. I am a licensed arborist in Rhode Island (#1194). I am a Rhode Island Certified Coastal Invasive Manager (#386). And I am an ISA Certified Arborist® CERT ID: NE-7960A My company does non chemical invasive removal. No job too big! if we can't do it, we can refer to our trusted associates. We ID and remove bittersweet, japanese knotweed, and we also prioritize tree health. We do not use commercial herbicides but offer pragmatic nontoxic solutions to weedy problems. In addition, Astrodime can do small tree installation and pruning of trees under 15 feet tall. We provide ecosystem services such as site evaluation, tree inventories, and yard restoration. We are a full service design and consulting company. We are queer-owned and operated, and ready for Climate Change. We would love to work with you on your home ecosystem!

Q&A

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?

I offer 1) Ecosystem Audit ($150-250 depending on land.) Includes online and/or PDF basemap, identification and recommendations. 2) Full assessment including tree inventory, invasive inventory, soil testing, microclimate identification and long term climate change assessment available starting at $1000. 3) Full restoration and maintenance is available and client pays at the end of the month.

What is your typical process for working with a new customer?

For weed/ invasive species management plan: 1) Short conversation on client needs. 2) Site Visit/Ecosystem audit 3) I prepare a weed report and management plan and email it to you in PDF format. This takes no longer than a week and can be done in 3 days typically. 4) Followup conversation if desired or you can go with your own vendors for remediation.

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

Certified Arborist in Rhode Island. ( # 1194) (2021) Rhode Island Certified Coastal Invasive Manager ( #386) (2021) Permaculture training from Oregon State University (2020-2021) Green School (Arborist Track), University of Massachusetts Amherst (2020) BFA Massachusetts College of Art and Design (1998) MFA Rensselar Polytechnic Institute (2003)

How did you get started doing this type of work?

I was trained in documentary video, and design. I have made several award winning documentaries on weeds and invasive species. Google "Queen of Kudzu on Vimeo" and I probably made that documentary. In 2020 during the pandemic, I decided to end my paid work in academia and education, and start my own invasive species consulting business. I still do consult work in STEM/STEAM and the public understanding of science and STS in academia.

What types of customers have you worked with?

Homeowners Nonprofits Companies I have done professional consulting, but I am also trained as an educator so I can work with all kinds of people. I welcome the DIY gardener.

Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?

1) East side of Providence. Full removal of invasives and conversion to low maintenance meadow and flowering garden 2) Foster Rhode Island, 5 acres. Full assessment of bittersweet on property and several tree disentanglements. Restoration of garden area. Still in progress. 3) Designed a Japanese Knotweed barrier with a partner company.

What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

How does the company recommend removing invasive species and japanese knotweed? How much information is the company willing to give the client? Don't let a company use scare tactics, this is all manageable and herbicides do not have to be the first line of defense.

What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?

1) Are there specific plants that are bothering the client? How long has that plant been around? What plants does the client like? 2) How does the customer want to enjoy or use the property in the long term? 3) How involved does the client want to be in their own yard management?