Originally Posted by BobK

My take: Did he substantially complete the work as ordered? All trees requested trimed or removed? Did you tell him to speak with you if there were any problems/questions/changes before proceding? Sounds like he did the work requested but also a bit more based on his own judgement call. You already knew he was a bit "challenged" when it came to directions, so I assume you employed him again to give him another chance to make a living. We both know trees don't always fall the way we think they will/should. Friend lost a nephew two weeks ago in a logging accident where tree went the wrong way.
So he had some bad luck and then compounded the problem by making a bad call. I don't think he is intentionally trying to do you wrong, just not too smart. Unfortunately, the teachable moment has probably passed. Don't feel too bad, just pay the bill and (hopefully) stay warm burning the wood in your stove/fireplace. Oh, and don't hire him anymore.