Tree Talk

Removing Trees 101

If a tree falls in the woods, and no one sees it… did it really fall? Isn’t this a silly question?

Every time I hear it, it makes me laugh. Obviously, if a tree is lying on the ground, it must have fallen, right? Trees just don’t grow 15’ in length while lying on the ground.

So, the question really becomes – NOW what do you do with a tree that you find in this precarious situation? I suppose it depends on a few things as to how urgently you need to address the problem. If, for example, the tree falls in your backyard and its not bothering anything, you probably have a little bit of time to get it taken care of. However, if the tree falls into the middle of a roadway, blocking traffic, it becomes a much larger issue that should be dealt with as soon as possible. So what do you do?

 

The first thing you need to do is assess the problem.

You want to ensure that there are no obstructions that are making the downed tree issue any worse. Power lines, vehicles, and even homes are things that you want to make sure the tree is clear of before you start hacking away at it. If the tree has fallen into any of these things, you DO NOT, under any circumstances, want to take matters into your own hands. Hiring a licensed professional to come out and clear the tree is your smartest option. Tree branches that have fallen onto power lines can cause death, if the wires are still ‘live,’ so calling out the utility company to assist in the removal of the tree would be the safest bet. They will have to tools and skills to be able to clear the tree from the line properly, without injury to person or property. If a tree falls onto a home or a vehicle, you will want to make sure to contact your local insurance company first.

They will most likely come out to take photographs and offer a quote to repair the damage caused by the tree.

 

Once you have done your assessments and you have cleared all of the obstacles from the situation, you now have to deal with the tree issue.

You can do a few things. You can call someone out to professionally cut the tree apart and haul the wood away. Sometimes, licensed contractors will come out with stump grinders and wood chippers to make the cleanup time that much simpler! I had a company come out last summer to my home and they brought an entire team to clear away a 15’ Bradford Pear tree from my backyard that lost its battle in a wind storm. The crew consisted of about 10 men and the tree was gone in just about 5 minutes. I could never have clear a tree away that quickly, on my own. They basically set up an assembly line. Two guys cut the tree, 4 guys hauled the wood away from the drop site, and the rest of crew operated the wood chipper and stump grinding equipment.

 

 

If you are a “DIY” person or money is tight, you can also choose to deal with the situation on your own.

You will need to ensure that you take all safety measures into account before starting your cleanup efforts – wearing protective eyewear, gloves and steel-toed boots are all necessary garments you should consider wearing. Getting assistance from friends or family may also be a good idea when working with the cutting and hauling of larger, heavier trees. Some folks who choose to do the DIY method of tree cutting usually end up keeping or selling the wood to burn in their woodstoves or fireplaces.

 

If you are a homeowner, at some point in your life, you will have to deal with this awesome experience that comes along with home ownership. There is no right or wrong choice in HOW you choose to have the tree removed, so long as the job is done correctly, that is all that matters at the end of the day.

 

Health, Sports

Benefits of a Healthy Lifestyle

We all want to do right by our bodies. While some of us are good about keeping up with what we eat, what we do to stay active and how we treat our bodies, others might be otherwise wrapped up in day to day activities that a healthy lifestyle seems too cumbersome and the idea gets put on the back burner of our lives for a rainy day. It’s important to remember that each of us is only ever given ONE body, so we should do our best every day to be good to it.

 

Working out for many feels like a chore. Unless it’s a routine you are already used to keeping up with, it might feel more like a punishment than a treat for your body. No one ever said that working out was meant to be ‘easy’ but the more you do it and keep up with it on a regular schedule, the easier it becomes. My dad is famous for saying to me “I don’t like working out.” My answer to him is always the same – when you realize the benefits of what working out does for your body, it won’t feel like such a burden, but you put your mind to getting out there and DOING something. Anyone who is an avid runner will be the first to tell you that if you start a running regimen and then suddenly stop and don’t get back to it for a while, getting back to it can feel like you are starting all over. To prevent this feeling, it is best to start out slow and train your brain to use your workout time as “you time” or “meditation time.” Most of us get so busy that it can be difficult to cut away any time for ourselves, but if you can use some time away at the gym, you are essentially killing two birds with one stone – your body is getting a workout and you are getting a break from the hustle and bustle of life. It doesn’t have to be a two-hour spin class, but if you can do that – hats off to you! It can be as simple as a brisk walk for 20 minutes, a light job around your neighborhood or an afternoon bike ride to de-stress from your day.

 

Another good thing we should do for our bodies is eating right. Yes, who doesn’t love a good cheese steak or ice cream sundae? Most of us enjoy a sweet treat or a junk food splurge every now and again. As the saying goes – everything in moderation – is great. This DOES NOT mean we should eat that in small portions every single day. If you spend time planning your meal plans for your entire week and keep your grocery list to healthy foods, you will be less likely to stop on your way home from work for “fast food” when you know you have spent money on food that is waiting for you at home. Pre-planning meals is one great way to spend less during the workday, as well. When you pack your lunch, the tendency to go out and spend money on unhealthy food choices is also smart for your wallet! It is a win-win situation, right? Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables are your best bet for your buck and keep you feeling fuller longer.

 

Lastly, it is important to see you see your healthcare provider if something begins to not feel right as you get adjusted to your new healthy lifestyle. If you begin a running regimen and you have chest pains or knee pains, you could be doing yourself more harm than good, by ignoring your body’s signals. Physicians can tell you what you can do to overcome any obstacles you face and offer you suggestions for work-arounds if you need to throttle back on your workout plans.

Physicians and Nutritionists can also help you work out an eating plan to help you maintain your weight goals and keep you feeling on track.