Measure a safe distance away from the tree before digging your hole. If the roots that you want to remove are underground, you'll need to reveal them with a shovel. Dig a hole around the tree where you want to remove the roots using a trenching or a digging shovel. Do your best not to disrupt or break the tree's roots while you do this. Once you've located the root you want to remove, use spray paint, colored chalk, or a thick marker to mark the spot where you'll cut the tree root. Marking the root will help guide you and prevent you from cutting the root too close to the tree. Simply mark the root with a line that will help guide where to cut with the saw. Dig around the root with a smaller spade, making sure to dig under the root as well. Leave space around the root, so it's easier to cut it. Completely reveal the area where you'll cut with your shovel and give yourself enough space to make cuts.

Summary: Dig a hole in the area where you want to remove the roots. Draw a line where you want to remove the root. Dig around the root with a spade.


There are many different kinds of honeybees, and each comes with their own good and bad traits. The type you’ll choose will depend on what you want to get out of keeping bees, and how you hope to interact with the bees. For example, as a new beekeeper, you might want to choose a type of honeybee known for being less prone to swarms, and on the gentler side. The Italian bee, for example, is a really good option for a beginner. They produce a good amount of honey, aren’t prone to swarming, are gentle, and hardy. On the other hand, the Carniolan bee is a bit more prone to swarming, and don’t produce as much honey as the Italian bee. When ordering your bees, you can choose between a nucleus (nuc) hive or a package hive. A package is essentially a collection of bees put together from different established hives. Since the colony isn’t already acquainted with the queen and she isn’t already actively laying eggs, these can be more difficult to establish. Nucs, on the other hand, are beginning hives that have already accepted the queen and begun producing honey. Both nucs and packages usually have the same amount of bees, about 10,000 each.  Traditionally, new hives can begin in the spring, when things are blooming and the hive can thrive right away. With package hives, if you get your package right as the season begins, they may actually miss out on the season as they are still trying to establish themselves as it’s going on. There isn’t usually much price difference between the two options. Either option will likely cost between $50 and $120. The package, while the more difficult option, has also been known to be more enjoyable and satisfying for new beekeepers, as it offers them a chance to see how a hive is built from the very start, and the keeper can observe the entire process. There are plentiful bee suppliers around the United States, so locating one will be easy enough. You just want to check up on that supplier and make sure they have a good reputation. Online reviews and asking other beekeepers in the area are good sources. Try to choose a supplier that is near to you, as this will cut down on transport time and distance. This will make the transition from transport container to your hive much easier and take less time. The easiest method of starting your own hive is to purchase one that has already been established and fostered by another, more experienced beekeeper. This will ensure your colony will survive and thrive, as they have already been producing workers and honey by the time you get them. One other option, aside from buying, is to capture your own bees in the wild. This is both dangerous and difficult, and should really only be attempted by experienced beekeepers. You will likely bring your bees in transporting boxes and move them to your own equipment. You should have your hive prepared before bringing your bees home to it. There are many different types of hives, all of which can be purchased pre-built, or if you’re handy, built yourself. The Langstroth, Horizontal Top Bar, and Warre Hives are the most common and popular among beekeepers in the United States. There are many companies that build and produce these hives, and you can purchase many of them online. The Langstroth Hive is the most popular, and is the most recommended for beginners.

Summary: Decide what type of bees you want to buy. Understand the differences between a nucleus and a package hive. Purchase your bees from a respected seller. Buy an established colony. Have your equipment and housing prepared.


At the meeting, raise any concerns you have over billing, communication, or the representation generally. Sometimes the attorney may have a reasonable explanation.  Lawyers are people, too. Sometimes a billing error may be a simple mistake, or a phone call might not get returned because your lawyer has suffered a health problem. However, a pattern of mistakes signals negligence. Send a follow-up email in which you summarize the contents of the meeting. This will provide you with a paper record. Most attorneys will be honest with you about how well, or how poorly, another lawyer is handling your case. Take copies of the pleadings and correspondence to another lawyer for a critique of your current lawyer's progress. If after meeting with your lawyer and getting a second opinion you think that your attorney has not represented you adequately, then you should terminate the representation. You should write a letter to this effect.  Summarize briefly why you are unhappy with the lawyer. If you have already met with your attorney, he should have a good idea of why you are unhappy with his representation. Then simply write, “As of [today's date], I no longer want you to be my lawyer.” Send the letter certified mail, with a request for a signed receipt. Request a copy of your file. Even if you fire your lawyer, you are responsible for paying any outstanding fees. Your lawyer might sue you to recover the unpaid balance of your bill. Many websites allow clients to rate their lawyer on effectiveness and professionalism. If you think others should avoid your lawyer, feel free to share your experiences at websites like Avvo. Remember that information shared on the web is public. If you have an ongoing legal matter, the other side can see anything that you share about your case. Be careful not to reveal too much. If you think your lawyer has violated the ethics rules or broken the law, then you should report him to the appropriate disciplinary board in your state. The board will want documentation, such as billing records and your emails or letters. You should already have this information.
Summary: Schedule a meeting with your lawyer. Get a second opinion. Write a letter terminating the representation. Pay your bill. Warn others. Report your attorney to the Disciplinary Board.