Category Archives: Uncategorized

Junk Mail Kills Trees

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Did you know that 10,000 pounds of junk mail are sent out every year?

That statistic was cited by Bear Heart in 1996 in a book by Molly Larkin entitled “The Wind Is My Mother.” It’s about the life and teachings of a Native American Shaman–Bear Heart.

Bear Heart expounds on junk mail: “If 100,000 people refused junk mail 150,000 trees would be saved. Trees hold the soil together, and now their numbers are dwindling.” That was 10 years ago, so how many more pounds of junk mail are sent each year now?

Bear Heart offers many more perspectives on how we should live as human beings, so it’s an excellent read if you’re at all interested in learning with an open mind.

The life and teachings of a Native American Shaman

Finding A Tree Nursery

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Plant fruit trees

Fruit trees provide food for humans and animals.

When we were looking for a tree nursery, the first place we looked Google. The goal was to find fruit trees suitable for planting at deer camp. Obviously, we want to see deer and this was one chosen option for providing a more attractive habitat.

Although camp is in managed forest crop land, planting different trees provides diversity and fruit trees can produce fruit suitable for human consumption as well. One of the considerations is to ensure the trees  you plant are suitable for the climate.

We were fortunate to find Grandview Orchards just east of Antigo, Wisconsin. After communicating via E-mail, we obtained two apple trees: one McIntosh and one Red Regent. They were compatible varieties and we relied on the advice of owner Lisa Rettinger on spacing for planting. The trees were easily transported to camp.

After site selection and preparation, the trees were successfully planted and watered. We also planted some young white pine trees to begin creating diversity in our section of the forest.

Here are suggestions for finding the tree nursery you’re looking for:

  1. Consider the use or purpose you want for the trees;
  2. Consider the terrain and climate conditions where they’ll be planted;
  3. Search for nurseries near the area or ask people who live near there;
  4. Ask questions about the nursery’s recommendations and share your ideas; and,
  5. Be willing to pay for quality that achieves your intended purpose.

Keep in mind you might have to lug water to the location, as we did. We loaded two gallons of plain water in a backpack and lugged those to the site carrying shovel and weed whacker. The time of year for planting certain varieties of trees is also important to consider.

Once the site was prepared using measurements from the soil package around the tree, we went back to carry the tree to the location. We had chosen the site and pre-positioned the tree as close as possible to save labor. Some water went in the prepared hole, with the rest being used to water after planting the tree. All that was left to carry out was tools and backpack with empty water bottles.

Save Earth. Plant more trees, wherever you can.

 

Leonardo Was Right!

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In his acceptance remarks, Academy award winner Leonardo DiCaprio spoke of the importance of saving our planet. He was correct in that we need to do more to protect our environment.

Oscar winner DiCaprio

Best actor acceptance

The answer, however, does not lie solely on the shoulders of major corporations and larger polluters. It weighs on the shoulders of every individual on earth as well.  Yes, you can get the major corporations to kneel with your purchasing decisions, but beware! Do your research before making a choice that could be more harmful.

We get on the case of paper companies for harvesting too many trees, yet the paper industry plants two trees for every one they harvest. They would go out of business if they didn’t propagate their own raw material.

Let’s look at some personal options each of us can do to reduce greenhouse gases and help our planet’s environment support the population.

Yes, reducing the population and the pressure we put on the environment is one option, yet we are not going to tell anyone not to have children. It’s more about responsibility.

Use your motorized vehicles less. Next time you’re driving in a big city, pay attention to how many people are riding in each vehicle. You’ll find most have only one person in them. So carpool or take public transportation or walk or ride your bicycle to work or the grocery store. Patronize the local grocery or convenience store instead of chasing to the larger grocer.

Use less electricity. Conserve water. Eat natural instead of processed foods. Plant trees.