57 Ways - 33. Dispose Of Tree Residue

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57 Ways To Protect Your Home Environment (and Yourself)

Caring for the Home Landscape

1. Aim for a healthy lawn rather than a perfect lawn
2. Cut the grass without gas
3. Prevent insect, disease, and weed problems in the garden
4. Identify fruits and vegetables that need fewer pesticides
5. Select native trees and shrubs that will thrive in your yard
6. Keep your tress healthy and safe
7. Plant “wild” in your backyard
8. Attract birds and butterflies to your backyard

Using Alternatives to Traditional Pesticides & Fertilizers - Where Practical

9. Scout for pests on the landscape
10. Consider microbial insecticides
11. Consider botanical insecticides & insecticidal soaps
12. Conserve beneficial insects
13. Monitor & control insects with traps
14. Use pest barriers in your garden
15. Solarize soil
16. Consider the potential of natural fertilizers

Using Chemicals on the Landscape - If Necessary

17. Know what to ask a lawn-care company and arborist
18. Understand pesticide toxicity
19. Read the pesticide label
20. Apply pesticides accurately and safely
21. Apply fertilizers accurately and safely

Storing & Disposing of Hazardous Chemicals

22. Store hazardous chemicals safely
23. Dispose of pesticides safely
24. Dispose of auto products safely
25. Dispose of paints and solvents safely
26. Dispose of adhesives, areosols, household cleaners & other hazardous waste safely

Managing Yard, Food & Other Household Waste

27. Reduce household waste
28. Recycle paper, glass, & aluminum
29. Reuse and respond
30. Recycle grass clippings
31. Create a compost pile
32. Use yard waste as mulch
33. Dispose of tree residues

Protecting Your Drinking Water

34. Know when & how to test your water
35. Test your water for coliform bacteria & nitrate 36. Test your water for pesticides - if necessary
37. Know the signs of contaminants in drinking water
38. Select effective water-treatment methods
39. Prevent contamination from septic systems
40. Know the pros & cons of bottled water

Protecting the Indoor Environment

41. Prevent contamination by lead
42. Test your home for radon
43. Reduce radon levels
44. Control dust, dust mites & other allergens
45. Reduce pollution from combustion equipment
46. Prevent contamination by formaldehyde and asbestos
47. Recognize tht it's not always necessary to control indoor insects
48. Select the right household pesticide
49. Control household pests with less toxic alternatives
50. Select household cleaners wisely

Conserving Energy & Water

51. Design new homes for energy effciency
52. Save energy in heating & cooling
53. Insulate & seal your home
54. Choose energy-efficient appliances
55. Save money & energy with compact fluorescent light bulbs
56. Use plants & other landscape tools to conserve energy
57. Conserve water in & around the home

33. Dispose Of Tree Residue
	If you have had the misfortune to lose a large tree on your property, you’re left with the problem of what to do with all of the leaves, branches, and other wood. Some wood can be allowed to dry and then burned in fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, and outdoor barbeque pits, if local ordinances permit. However, unless you can hire a local firm with a tree grinder or stump chipper, the remaining green branches pose a challenge because many cities no longer collect “green” or landscape waste.
	First, call your local public works department and ask if there is a yard-waste reclamation facility in your area. You may have to borrow or rent a truck and pay a tipping fee, but some municipalities offer yard-waste recycling services at no individual charge.
	Other possible sources of information on dealing with debris from a felled tree are local landscaping services and firewood suppliers. These businesses may want your wood and be willing to haul it away for free or at a minimum charge.
	If all else fails, consider renting a chipper/shredder and doing the job yourself. Chipped material should be stockpiled and allowed to weather for at least two months before being used as mulch material.
	If you happen to be establishing a natural habitat area in your yard, consider placing segments of larger logs and limbs in that area. They can serve as “nursing logs,” allowing young seedlings to grow in the soft organic matter that was once tree trunk.
	Two good uses for leaf waste are composting and mulch. Leaf burning is banned in many communities because of the misery it can create for those with asthma and bronchitis. The bottom line is: avoid leaf burning, even if your community allows it.
	If you still want to burn leaves, check with your local law enforcement agency or fire department to find out if any restrictions exist. Even if you do not suffer from asthma or bronchitis, consider wearing a surgical mask during burning to filter out floating particles. Do not burn leaves of poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac.