Geocaching in the woods.

 The Use of Trees in the Sport of Geocaching

If you are looking for something fun to do that can get you out of the house and make sure you are getting your fitness at the same time then you may want to try geocaching. Geocaching is the sport of seeking out containers that other people have hidden in various locations. You use a GPS and lots of other navigational techniques in order to find the containers known as caches. They usually consist of a large plastic container containing trinkets and other things of little to no value. When you find the box you take something for yourself, and leave something for the next person. It is just a fun outdoor activity to do while you are hiking or camping. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive that you leave; the point of the sport is not to get things but to get the satisfaction of finding the caches and improving your outdoor skills.

There are many ways you can use trees for geocaching. You can hide them around the tree or in the tree. You can hide them up above in the trees, but it is considerate to make sure that the place it is hidden is not dangerous for someone to climb to. Other creative ways people have hidden caches in trees is by hiding them in bird feeders, or underneath a deep pile of leaves. Some clever cache hiders are able to camouflage them by painting them to match the tree. There are so many different ways to hide them around and in trees. While geocaching is just for fun some people who are called preppers actually hide and locate caches as part of their bug out plan. They look at it as training for the end of the world, and when they have to flee they are going to want stashes of food and supplies along the way. Geocaching prepares them to find the stashes and learn some fantastic hiding locations.

As you can see geocaching in the woods is far more challenging because you can hide so much in the trees. Other fun places to hide caches are in streams, under rocks, caves if they are shallow, on top of rocks, and anywhere you can safely get to where they will be hidden. Leaving them out in the open isn’t really any fun. You want the people searching to have a challenge when they are tracking the caches. You can start your own cache game in your backyard with the trees around the area. It will be good practice for when you go out with a group or on your own expedition. Look for groups that go out in your area and read blogs and articles about the sport. You will find that a lot of people do it and they enjoy it. Not only is it fun, but it is a great way to get your fitness in.  

How to quickly cut down a tree

The Best Way to Quickly Cut Down a Tree

pic from is.gd/IEB6Su

When cutting down a large tree, safety should be your first priority. You need to look around and make sure there is nothing that the tree can fall onto and damage if it falls in any direction. You can determine the slant of the tree by holding a pendulum weight in front of you and lining it up with the tree. If the tree slants to either side of the pendulum then that is the way it leans naturally. You should do this on all sides of the tree. This is how you are going to determine how to cut the tree.

Before you begin place a stake the distance away that the tree is tall that will be your fall line. Brush up on the proper way to use a chainsaw before you begin. If you are not careful the chainsaw can hit wrong and bounce back injuring you severely. Make your first cut in line with the fall line. Cut into the tree on a diagonal keeping the saw parallel to the ground. You should then create a notch buy cutting another line diagonally beneath that one. Remove the notch with an axe if you have to. Push the tree to see if it will indeed fall the way you want it to. Cut into the tree directly behind the notch, be patient cutting at a small angle pointed downwards. Keep checking that your tree is leaning in the direction of your fall line. Continue to cut until it begins to fall, yell timber, and get out of there.

In order to now cut the tree up for use you will need to prune the small branches and limbs away from it. Continue to remember your safety when handling the chain saw. Stay focused, and take your time watching the way the chainsaw cuts through. If the chainsaw doesn't go all the way through or you are dealing with a thick tree, cut halfway through and then move to the other side. If it looks like it will pinch the chainsaw stop it immediately and take a different angle. Once you get the hang of it you will be sawing through the tree in no time.  

Tree Ordinances, what do they mean for you?

Tree Ordinances

Often times in movies you will see neighbors that are good friends torn apart by an argument over a tree hanging in their yard, or blocking their view. A fight ensues and the party being affected sets out to destroy the tree without checking into what the tree ordinances are in their area. This is not a realistic way to handle a situation like this, but it makes for an interesting and funny plot line that usually ends in disaster. You do have some rights when it comes to someone else’s tree hanging on your property, you just need to know what the law is and what type of ordinances your town has in place.

A lot of people don't know that there are tree ordinances in most communities that help protect the trees that are there as well as the rights of the residents. There are different types of ordinances when it comes to regulating the flora to keep the plant life managed and looking great in the town. Trees make a street nice and make people happy when they can set up their dream yard. It is important to follow the ordinances your town has put into place so you don’t end up having to remove your tree later on. Tree ordinances of course will only apply to those who live in a town within the city limits.

There are a couple of different kinds of tree ordinances. The first is a protection ordinance which makes sure the trees that are native to the area remain intact. The protection ordinance will also protect those trees that have a historical significance in the town. If there is a reason someone wants to remove one of those trees then they will have to receive a permit which grants them permission. Street tree ordinances cover where trees can be planted within a town and when they should be removed. If a tree is threatening the safety of the public then it will be removed. If you are planting trees then there are specifications about not blocking public areas and planting in parking lots. If you are in town and the neighbor's tree is obstruction your view, then you can actually refer to the view ordinance which will help you get rid of that tree.

If you need to find out what your rights are as far as planting and removing trees on your property then you will need to check the ordinances with the county and the city. You will be able to find out what your rights and the laws are by contacting city hall and if your town doesn't have one, then call the county office for a jumping off point. If there are not regulations in your area about trees then you will have to get the community involved. If you want to put tree ordinances into place then it will take more than just your voice. Once you have enough people then you can go to the city and get some ordinances in place to keep your town beautiful, and your yard free of obstructions.