Is it cliche yet to use the word sustainable? What do we actually mean when we say that?
Is it to continue? Carry on, keep alive? Preserve or conserve?
Or is it just a hip thing to talk about while sipping an IPA in the Pearl?
Many companies use the word sustainable to sell more of their products...how ironic.
Here are a few things we all can do to limit our consumption of items that have a direct impact on Earth's resources.
- Buy less food. How many of us have seen the oranges or bananas decompose on the counter? That food traveled a long way to rot. Go to your farmers market instead. Get only what you'll use in a couple days.
- Buy quality products that last. Or buy resale. Who really needs $300 organic cotton jeans? Buy a pair for 20 bucks at the thrift store and and take the other 280 plant a couple trees and hire me to care for them.
- The weather isn't that cold. Turn down the heat or set a timer on the thermostat.
- I like coffee, so when I drink a cup at the cafe, I use a mug, not a paper cup. I don't have any quantifiable math on this, but paper takes a lot of processing.
- Commute with a buddy. My job won't let me bike to work. It's a bit difficult to carry all my pruning tools on a Schwinn. Perhaps someday.
The key is: Just Buy Less.
One final thought: if you have cared for your trees recently, no need to hire us. Your trees are probably fine. (This way you and I are both consuming and using less resources.) Annual tree pruning is not always necessary. However, now is the time to get your pest and insect control plan in place. Insect problems can lead to bigger tree problems, so let's get that handled.
Be well and have a good one.




