Landscape designer · Essexville, MI · reviewed since 2017
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%44+24Reliability 24%16+3.9Value 14%85+12Replies to reviews 7%60+4.2Craft & service penalty37−6.3Momentum penalty61−3.9Experts Score= 34Grade D: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.34SCORE
DGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#52 of 53 palm tree trimmersiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 2%
4.5★★★★★66 Google reviews
83%five-star reviews
3.50★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
20%1–2★, last 20 reviewsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Reviewers highlight the company's knowledgeable staff and quality plant selection, noting that completed projects often receive positive feedback from neighbors. However, a significant pattern of criticism involves poor communication, specifically instances where customers waited weeks without receiving quotes or delivery updates. While many praise the professionalism of the crews, others report that promised services were delayed or performed with less thoroughness than expected.
Google rating: 4.5 out of 5 from 66 reviews (83% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 66 Google reviews (54 with written comments, 4 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 53% of reviews.
Most recent review: May 25, 2026.
Service: Palm Tree Trimmer serving Essexville, Michigan.
Data from Google, last updated November 12, 2026.
Score profile vs other palm tree trimmers
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: value and momentum; weakest: reliability.
This companyPalm Tree Trimmers median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Bay Landscaping & Garden Center: 44/100 on this factor. Category median: 95.C
44
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Bay Landscaping & Garden Center: 16/100 on this factor. Category median: 94.F
16
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Bay Landscaping & Garden Center: 37/100 on this factor. Category median: 97.D
37
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Bay Landscaping & Garden Center: 85/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
85
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Bay Landscaping & Garden Center: 61/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.B
61
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Bay Landscaping & Garden Center: 60/100 on this factor. Category median: 64.B
60
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
66 Google reviews we collected
4.5of 5
5 stars5583%
4 stars23%
3 stars12%
2 stars23%
1 star69%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 54 written reviews
93%praise
Praise5293%
Complaints47%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude1730%
Quality & results1018%
Price & value916%
Would recommend916%
Speed & response47%
Communication47%
Honesty & trust35%
What customers talk about
We read 54 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“From start to finish Bay Landscaping was 100% spot on professional.”
“Jerry (who knows EVERYTHING about plants/ landscapingand) and his team provide quality plants and outstanding service!”
“Fast service, fair price.”
“My husband and I both left multiple messages on getting a quote for a big job that we need done.”
“We highly recommend Bay Landscaping for any landscaping project, big or small.”
“We received a timely estimate and the work was done just within a week or so of that estimate.”
“Shawn listened to our desired outcome for a major renovation to our landscape.”
“We trust Bay Landscaping to keep our home looking great.”
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Bay Landscaping & Garden Center for 7 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
GaryLocal Guide · 56 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · Edited 5 months ago★★
Ordered 3 yards topsoil thursday, they said they could deliver Friday. I call Friday afternoon, they say sorry but we maybe can't do today, driver sick and we will let ya know either way later today. Never did. Called them on Monday, and now they say they hope by the end of the week? I clearly got pushed aside.…
Dawn2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★
Extremely disappointed! I hired to haul in dirt & dig up 3 dead bushes they literally spread around an inch of dirt & I had to cut thru the roots of the bushes they pulled
Debbie4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★
Had them come out in early May to discuss our landscaping project. They followed up with measurements a few weeks later then nothing. To be fair, we did say we were not in a rush if they had urgent jobs to finish. I’ve followed up twice in the last few weeks to see if we are still on their radar but no call back. We…
Landscape design construction
To435 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
Wanted some trees and roses along with a bush planted. Called these guys. They came out, gave me a quote, and we set up a date. They came out and planted 3 trees, 7 rose bushes, and a bush. Very happy with their work. Would hire again.
CourtneyLocal Guide · 26 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★
Had someone come out to start a quote for us. They took measurements and photos and we discussed the plan. Never heard back from them. This is the second year in a row of having a company come give a quote and then not follow through so we are just giving up and doing the work ourselves.
Bernie2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
We used Bay Landscaping 35 years ago to landscape our house. Concerned about the health of the crimson King Maple they planted in 1990, we called them to ask for their advice. They generously sent their tree expert over to take a look for no charge— a 30 mile drive one way. Jeff Merkel their expert was very helpful. We highly recommend Bay Landscaping.
Ordered 3 yards topsoil thursday, they said they could deliver Friday. I call Friday afternoon, they say sorry but we maybe can't do today, driver sick and we will let ya know either way later today. Never did. Called them on Monday, and now they say they hope by the end of the week? I clearly got pushed aside. Requested a refund and they did refund. Called another supply store and my dirt is already on the way an hour later.
Debbie WeberLocal Guide · 20 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Debbie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Extremely disappointed! I hired to haul in dirt & dig up 3 dead bushes they literally spread around an inch of dirt & I had to cut thru the roots of the bushes they pulled
Response from the owner · a year ago
Oh my, Dawn, we are so sorry! We will get with your salesperson right away to give you a call and find out how we can correct this. Thank you for contacting us.
Debbie Deitsch4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Debbie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Had them come out in early May to discuss our landscaping project. They followed up with measurements a few weeks later then nothing. To be fair, we did say we were not in a rush if they had urgent jobs to finish. I’ve followed up twice in the last few weeks to see if we are still on their radar but no call back. We will move on since it’s obvious they are not interested in our project but would have appreciated the courtesy of being told that so we didn’t waste the summer.
Services: Landscape design construction
Response from the owner · a year ago
Debbie, thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We are so sorry that you felt as though we weren't interested and we apologize that we haven't responded promptly. We take on projects of all sizes and are interested in working with you. Your designer will be reaching out to you privately to see if there's anything that we can do to rectify your experience.
To whom it may concern435 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews To has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Wanted some trees and roses along with a bush planted. Called these guys. They came out, gave me a quote, and we set up a date. They came out and planted 3 trees, 7 rose bushes, and a bush. Very happy with their work. Would hire again.
Response from the owner · a year ago
Shawn, thank you for taking the time to tell us how we're doing! We're so pleased to hear that you're happy with our work. Please don't hesitate to contact us in the future; we'd love to work for you again!
Courtney JohnsonLocal Guide · 26 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Courtney has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Had someone come out to start a quote for us. They took measurements and photos and we discussed the plan. Never heard back from them. This is the second year in a row of having a company come give a quote and then not follow through so we are just giving up and doing the work ourselves.
Response from the owner · a year ago
Courtney, we sincerely apologize that this was your experience with us. We take pride in prompt, personalized care and this does not at all align with who we strive to be. We are so sorry for any trouble or inconvenience this may have caused. If you'll allow us, we would love to make this right. We searched your name in our system but could not find your account. (Perhaps your account is listed under another name?) For this reason, we're unable to reach out privately to correct our error. Please contact us so we are able to rectify the situation.
Edit: We managed to find you in our system but it looks like we have your account listed under a different last name than this one indicated on Google. Again, we sincerely apologize that our turnaround time was not up to your expectations. We will be reaching out privately to address our errors.
Bernie Van Dort2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Bernie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We used Bay Landscaping 35 years ago to landscape our house. Concerned about the health of the crimson King Maple they planted in 1990, we called them to ask for their advice. They generously sent their tree expert over to take a look for no charge— a 30 mile drive one way. Jeff Merkel their expert was very helpful. We highly recommend Bay Landscaping.
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Service not listed
Response from the owner · a year ago
Bernie, thank you so much for taking the time to tell us how we're doing! Jeff M. will be delighted to hear how happy you are with his service. Jeff M. is one of the guys who makes us who we are and we're so proud of all the work he does with us. We're grateful that you continue to choose us! Thank you again for your kind words. We look forward to helping you again in the future!
Mike Krzyminski9 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Mike has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
From start to finish Bay Landscaping was 100% spot on professional. Shawn listened to our desired outcome for a major renovation to our landscape. Not only did he meet our expectations but he certainly exceeded. We continue to receive positive comments from our neighbors and passers by over how beautiful the new landscape is. We couldn’t be happier. Should we have need for another project, we would not hesitate to call Bay Landscaping to plan our next project. We highly recommend Bay Landscaping for any landscaping project, big or small. They are certainly up to the task.
Response from the owner · a year ago
Mike & Marty, thank you so much for taking the time to write such a kind review! Shawn will be happy to hear how much you enjoy your new landscape. We also appreciate you recommending us; it's one of the highest compliments! We look forward to joyfully tackling whatever future projects you need completed!
Nancy H10 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Nancy has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We have used Bay Landscaping for years. Jerry (who knows EVERYTHING about plants/ landscapingand) and his team provide quality plants and outstanding service! Hardest workers ever!
Response from the owner · a year ago
Nancy, thank you! We appreciate you taking the time to tell us how we're doing! Jerry loves sharing his knowledge and takes pride in our passionate staff and their hard work. We will share your kind words with our team. We look forward to continuing working for you in the future!
Robert Loftus9 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Robert has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Professional, courteous, and 100% committed. Thank you, Bay landscaping
Response from the owner · a year ago
Thank you so much for taking the time to tell us how we're doing -- it lets us know what we're doing right! We'll pass along your kind words to Shawn. Thank you again!
