Q: For some reason this winter we've lost more trees and big limbs than any year in the past.

We called several logging outfits and they said they wouldn't even come look at the fallen trees unless we had acres of them. Then we called lumber companies and were appalled at how much they wanted to charge us to cut down a couple of dangerous trees and cut up the fallen ones. It was in the thousands! We can't afford to pay someone to cut these trees up and we don't want to watch them rot. What can we do?

A: It seems that the lumber companies and loggers are not interested in residential property much these days and will charge you to remove the trees. It used to be the other way around and they would pay you. I suggest a couple of things that won't make you money but might at least clean up the mess and make you feel better.

One option is to contact Vashon Forest Stewards on the Island. Their manager, David Warren, can be reached at 463-9405. Check out their website: vashonforeststewards.org. You may be able to get a tax write off for donating the trees to this group and they will do the cutting and hauling. They provide Island jobs and recycle the trees into finished lumber to support their education programs.

You might also consider offering the wood to some of the local organizations who cut, split and deliver wood each winter to house bound elderly folks, very low income families and others in need who heat with wood. These volunteers do the work so that people in our community can stay warm in the winter. These groups include the local St Vincent DePaul, several island churches, Vashon Rotary Club and others. You can call Kris Hvatum, at 408-7267, who helps to coordinate these efforts.

One last thing. Leave a few downed trees and snags for the woodpeckers. They make quick work of turning those trees into sawdust and, along the way. provide nest sites for owls and other birds