the problem will be.. that it will spend forever.. trying to heal an un-healable break ... or a large cut at that height ...... and it will most like rot .. long before it ever heals .... and one of the reactions.. will be for it to put out .. just throwing out number 5 to 10 new branches.. at the unhealed wound... and as they get 5.. 10 .. 15 feet tall.. and hanging on the end of the wound ... they will break repeatedly.. and fall down ... and it doesnt help.. it is a weak-wooded birch ... and that doesnt even address.. that the branch just below the break.. LOOKS like it overhangs your bump out .... if that is the south side.. and you have any room left before the property line.. i would plant a replacement for the future... i would get rid of the broken one to the ground... and plan on removing the rest.. within 5 to 10 years .... it would be a false economy.. to belabor the cost effectiveness of it ability to shade and cool the house.... if it ends up falling on the house .... not to mention.. that if an insurance agent ever visited.. they might not be happy about the whole situation ..... and .. again: removal the break this season.. consideration of the rest within 5 to 10 years ... an onsite inspection by an ASA certified tree surgeon is highly recommended.. and that isnt just any guy with a chainsaw... its an onsite inspection by an expert ... see link regarding a trees reaction to topping .. which is.. in effect.. what you are contemplating .... i know your reaction is emotional ... but isnt that why you came and asked... and i know you dont really want to hear/read what we are suggesting ... regardless.. i wish you luck ... ken Here is a link that might be useful: random link ... topic #4 -- review the section on topping.. which is basically the alternative to full removal of that section

Sorry, that was a misspelling, it is actually Pyola, and is an insecticide from Gardens Alive. I haven't used that one yet, but I've used other products from Gardens Alive and have been happy with them. I usually find they offer pretty good coupons/specials to keep the pricing reasonable, and they have a generous eScrip contribution, so my purchases also help my sons' school. They claim their products are environmentally responsible - safe and natural, I'm not sure if all of their products are certified organic or not. I've purchased and used their WOW Supreme for my lawn, liquid Kelp foliar spray, Flow, Bulls-Eye Bioinsecticide (worked quite well on my broccoli worms),Sulfur Guard Fungicide (worked great on powdery mildew on my pumpkins). I'm not sure how well the Flow (drain maintenance) is working, so I can't recommend that one. I've used their fruit fly trap and bait which was quite effective, and the House Guardian insect spray for small ants and random bugs that creep indoors. I have also used the Strawberries Alive fertilizer, and had an amazing strawberry crop. In all, I've been pleased with their products and I've had no problems with ordering, shipping, or other service aspects. I have not found comparable products available locally in my area either.

Joan, thank you so much for your very helpful advice! Your photos are amazing! I love how the Kayaks look suspended in air, because the water is so clear! What the heck was that huge green lizard? Looked like he had a tail at both ends?? We are going to the Kayak Festival Oct 12, 13, 14 at Okeeheelee Park. I'll try to get a carbon fiber paddle to bring. Do you use a feathered paddle? The shop is recommending sit-on boats, but I want to try them all. We will take lessons in sit-upon boats first, then go to sit-inside ones for Eskimo rolling instruction(G). The wave-kayaking album is wonderful! Looks like FUN! We've paddled Canoes from Indiantown Rd to JB park many times. That is a pleasant day trip that we repeat often. Where were the Manatees? Lisa Here is a link that might be useful: Kayak Festival

I politely disagree with Mtn. Staying at the Four Seasons isn't my idea of Costa Rica. We love Costa Rica and have been many times. We like to go in January. My youngest daughter did her semester abroad in San Jose and I think that started our interest. We have traveled throughout the country. We usually don't stay in one place, even when we took our two daughters for a one week stay. I highly recommend you look at AnywhereCostaRica. I use them for bookings for private transportation, local plane reservations, hotel bookings. Yes, you can do all this all yourself. But, having the backup of a travel agency can come in handy. And, planning then becomes mindless! My youngest wanted us to see Costa Rica, so for my husbands special birthday, I planned a trip for the four of us. That year we did Hotel Corin in Arenal for a few days, then flew over to Manuel Antonio and stayed at Tulemar Bungalows. (Very hilly, but the views are amazing.) Hotel Corin has 3 pools directly fed from the volcano. While at Hotel Corin, I arranged for side trips to the volcano, the Tobacan Springs (commercial, but fun park with man made waterfalls from the hot springs) And of course Sky Trek, an amazing zip line tour. Another trip was a guided hanging bridge tour. All trips and transportation was arranged with Anywhere. When they say they are coming at 10:00AM they are there, always on time.) Tulemar Bungalows has it's own private beach, with an outdoor restaurant steps away. Monkeys, birds, iguanas. My two DD's went for surfing lessons which we arranged at the hotel. The only thing that was not prearranged. Perhaps our favorite place and one we have returned to a number of times, is Ylang, Ylang. It is a boutique hotel in Montezuma. It has gourmet meals and a yoga retreat. And of course, a wonderful spa. Exotic animal sighting along with the usual monkey tribes. Horseback riding is right on the beach, you can rent ATV in town, drive over to the local waterfall, or butterfly farm. As much as I love Costa Rica, I would not recommend the Caribbean side. Again, go to AnywhereCostaRica.com and if you have any questions, feel free.