Of trees and branches

Couple of weeks ago, while socialising after my tennis class.  The topic of yard works came up, all the boys were lamenting about the chores. Me being new to all this, had a question (mind you, a very valid one too).  So I asked the boys:"what to do when a tree fell on to the yard?"  This immediately drew a slience around the boys. The slience ended as soon as it started,  all of the boys began to talk at once. I finally get around, and understand the commotion I caused. I said tree fell, and they are all concerned if it hit the house, car or anything at all. Well, after explaining thay these trees are like less than 10" in diameter. They said these are branches, and I can just chop or saw them down.  I was still puzzled as they really grew from the ground, and they were tall, only they were skinny....However,  after looking around, trees here have really thick trunk, and are hugh!  No wonder the boys said these are branches. So I learn something new :).