Q: What should I do with fallen leaves?

• <div><p>If you don&rsquo;t have too many fallen leaves, one option is to leave them in place. They&rsquo;ll eventually decompose, adding vital nutrients to the soil. But if you have a thick layer of leaves smothering your lawn, you&rsquo;ll want to either mulch them or bag them up for removal. If you choose to collect and bag your leaves, check with your local municipality on any specific guidelines to dispose of them. Many cities offer curbside pickup if the leaves are disposed of in yard waste bags or containers. </p></div>

Q: What happens if we cut down all the trees on our property?

• <div><p>In the short term, you&rsquo;ll have a lot of fallen trees to deal with. <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/what-you-need-know-hiring-tree-service.htm">Tree removal services costs</a> typically start at <b>$200 per tree</b> and increase based on species and size. Then, you&rsquo;ll have to deal with the loss of trees: That means a loss of shade and a greater risk of rain runoff and erosion. Also, you&rsquo;ll miss out on the health and aesthetic benefits of having trees on your property, which could even affect the resale value of your home.</p><p>That being said, cutting down a tree it&rsquo;s not always a bad idea. Trees growing too close to rooftops can present fire hazards or debris problems. You may need to remove diseased or dying trees to prevent future issues. </p></div>

Question 1

What should I do with fallen leaves?

Accepted Answer

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If you don’t have too many fallen leaves, one option is to leave them in place. They’ll eventually decompose, adding vital nutrients to the soil. But if you have a thick layer of leaves smothering your lawn, you’ll want to either mulch them or bag them up for removal. If you choose to collect and bag your leaves, check with your local municipality on any specific guidelines to dispose of them. Many cities offer curbside pickup if the leaves are disposed of in yard waste bags or containers.

Question 2

Are there alternatives to stump grinding or direct removal?

Accepted Answer

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The most common alternative is burning the stump first, then dealing with the cinders and ashes. As you can imagine, this option creates fire hazards, especially since roots can burn underground, hidden, for long afterward. That’s why many states and cities have outlawed the use of stump burning entirely. We do not recommend this option as a viable alternative unless you get a permit from the local fire department and practice all safe burning procedures.

Others prefer a more long-term DIY approach of degrading the stump with home mixtures like Epsom salt and vinegar injected directly into it. This may help the stump decay faster, allowing homeowners to dig it out themselves, but it’s still a lengthy process. It usually takes months for a stump to start falling apart with such treatments, and in the meantime, it can be vulnerable to rot, insects, and other problems.

Question 3

How much can I prune at once?

Accepted Answer

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In general, you can prune up to one third of the height of most shrubs without damaging them. There are a few exceptions to this rule: Pine shrubs, for example, can’t be trimmed below the point of new growth without damaging them.

Question 4

What happens if we cut down all the trees on our property?

Accepted Answer

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In the short term, you’ll have a lot of fallen trees to deal with. Tree removal services costs typically start at $200 per tree and increase based on species and size. Then, you’ll have to deal with the loss of trees: That means a loss of shade and a greater risk of rain runoff and erosion. Also, you’ll miss out on the health and aesthetic benefits of having trees on your property, which could even affect the resale value of your home.

That being said, cutting down a tree it’s not always a bad idea. Trees growing too close to rooftops can present fire hazards or debris problems. You may need to remove diseased or dying trees to prevent future issues.

Question 5

Can I use a truck to remove a bush?

Accepted Answer

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Using a truck to remove a bush falls into the category of “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” While it is possible to use a truck to pull out a bush, if you don’t have the right equipment, if you’re not familiar with attaching things to your vehicle correctly, or if you don’t have enough room, it’s a risky option. To prevent damage to your vehicle, it’s worth using tools made for the job of digging and cutting roots instead.