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September/October 2023 & A rborists
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(860) 888-8472
LESSONS FROM THE PAST
The 1938 Hurricane’s Lasting Effects on New England
About 84 years ago, on Sept. 21, 1938, a monstrous hurricane of unprecedented
With limited forecasting technology at the time, this major storm surprised residents and meteorologists. It formed as a tropical depression near the Cape Verde Islands and swiftly intensified as it moved westward across the Atlantic Ocean. As it became a Category 5 hurricane, it was expected to curve out to sea, as previous hurricanes had always done. When it got blocked by high pressure to the east, it made a surprise landfall in Long Island as a Category 3 and barreled north through Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire at highway speed. There was a total tree wipeout in elevated mountainous areas, where the winds were the strongest.
strength and ferocity made
landfall along the northern coast of
the U.S., leaving behind a trail of destruction and reshaping the way the nation approached natural disaster preparedness. The worst part? Nobody was prepared! Forecasters missed this storm, and it struck New Haven moving north at 47 mph with winds similar to a tornado, taking down telephone lines and trees in its path. Residents in mid- and northern New England would have heard apocalytic reports from the coast before the radios went silent. The Hurricane of 1938, often referred to as the “Long Island Express” or the “Great New England Hurricane,” remains one of the most powerful and impactful storms in American history. A TIMELY REMINDER As we prepare for fall and cold weather, storms like the legendary “Hurricane of 1938” or the “Halloween Ice Storm” of 2011 can come at any time. Preparedness for a generational storm is part of home ownership. Avoid being the last on your block to get your power back. Protect the house by pruning neglected trees and removing trees whose integrity was damaged in prior storms or through digging work. The “Long Island Express” Hurricane of 1938, 85 years ago, blew over millions of trees across six states, from Long Island through New Hampshire.
The damage that resulted from The Hurricane of 1938 was unparalleled. Coastal homes, businesses, and other buildings were obliterated. Inland, powerful winds toppled trees, powerlines,
and infrastructure, resulting in widespread power outages and communication breakdowns. Roughly 700 people lost their lives, and another 700 were seriously injured. After the storm, we not only saw advances in meteorological science, but changes were made in building codes and coastal development, too. While this storm was catastrophic, it taught New England to be prepared! Major hurricanes don’t just strike the southern states. At Trout Brook Arborists, we encourage clients to do maintenance pruning of overgrown trees so you don’t have to deal with the nasty aftermath of storm damage.
Call (860) 888-8472 for a preventive tree assessment before the “hundred-year storm” strikes again.
–Andrew Bachman CT Arborist S6222
–Andrew Bachman CT Arborist S6222
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t 5 FOODS FOR A HEALTHY DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Whole Grains Because whole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat, are high in fiber, they promote optimal digestion and, in turn, a thriving gut. Fibrous foods also act as prebiotics, which facilitate the growth of beneficial bacteria. Berries Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries are not only high in fiber but also rich in antioxidants that help reduce inflammation all over the body. The fiber-antioxidant combination works wonders for gut health! Sauerkraut Some people love sauerkraut, and others aren’t very fond of the fermented cabbage dish. However, those who can get past the acquired taste will find that sauerkraut is abundant in probiotics, as the fermentation process
Gut health goes beyond your stomach — in fact, it plays a vital role in your overall well-being! Research shows that about 39 trillion bacteria live in your large intestine. Collectively, all of these bacteria make up your gut microbiome, which helps keep you healthy. A balanced gut also promotes proper digestion, nutrient absorption, immune function, and mental health. For a healthy gut and body, start incorporating these five food types into your daily diet.
encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria to aid digestion. Tempeh Tempeh is a plant-based protein made from an Indonesian fermented soybean product. Because tempeh is fermented, it is a probiotic, but because it is made from soybeans, it is also a prebiotic, making it a powerhouse for creating beneficial gut bacteria. Incorporating these gut-friendly suggestions into your daily diet is a
Yogurt Yogurt is an amazing source of
probiotics, beneficial bacteria that support and balance your gut flora to prevent harmful bacteria from taking over. As a general tip, look for yogurt labeled “live cultures” for a tasty treat full of probiotics!
rewarding and delicious way to improve your gut health and, in turn, the health of your entire body. Remember, it all starts in the belly! TRANSFORM YOUR FALL HARVEST INTO STUNNING INDOOR DECORATIONS!
A Natural Wreath Fresh herbs, flowers, or leaves from your fall harvest are perfect for an autumn wreath. All you need is a wreath form, which you can buy from your local craft store or online, and some floral U-pins. Use large leaves as a base (pumpkin leaves are great), then layer on smaller seasonal herbs such as sage, rosemary, or oregano. Finally, attach some flowers to it! Squash or pumpkin blossoms work beautifully, but you can use any seasonal flower you have growing.
If you have a backyard garden, you may find yourself looking for new ways to use all the crops you’ve grown. After all, there are only so many pumpkins you can carve, seeds you can roast, or squash you can spaghetti. So, instead of looking up “squash recipes” for the hundredth time this week, consider these indoor decor tips that utilize your garden’s bountiful harvest!
A Centerpiece Fall fruits and vegetables make great centerpiece arrangements because they have both seasonal colors and unique textures. Consider arranging a few squash or pumpkins in a bowl or basket and topping them with a bouquet of festive flowers. You can also mix herbs like basil, parsley, thyme, or rosemary into the bouquet for fragrance and a fuller appearance. Play with the different shapes and sizes of your gourds. Have them lean against each other or stack them for variation and depth in your display.
An Autumnal Herb Swag A “door swag” is a traditional holiday decoration, and it’s an easy way to add some color to your door without creating an entire wreath. To make a swag, grab a few bundles of your favorite herbs, secure the stems with a rubber band, wrap them with twine, and tie them off, leaving a few inches of twine on both sides. Then, tie those ends together to form a loop and hang the swag on your door!
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TAKE A BREAK
The American Beech tree is one of the most prominent and beautiful trees that decorate New England’s landscape in backyards, parks, golf courses, and acreages. With a wide- spreading canopy, these trees provide protective shade in summer and produce gorgeous gold leaves in autumn. Beech tree canopies can grow about 70 to 80 feet tall and 90 feet wide! American Beech trees have survived well for generations in certain lowland sections of New England and have been traditionally immune from decades of foreign disease invasions that have killed other species. Still found in high density in wooded areas behind the elementary schools of Bugbee and Wolcott and other lowlands around town, they are tragically facing a new killer: Beech leaf disease (BLD). It affects all types of Beech trees, both European and American, and weakens them, making them susceptible to secondary infections that can kill them. Beech leaf disease is caused by a nematode (a microscopic worm) primarily transported on the feet or droppings of birds and insects. (A transporter of a disease is called a vector.) It causes darkening and curling of Beech leaves and inhibits leaf and bud production. Because Beech trees are vital components of our ecosystem and provide food for many species, the loss of Beech trees is a massive concern. BEECH LEAF DISEASE’S IMPACT ON WEST HARTFORD’S CANOPY
JALAPEÑO POPPER MAC AND CHEESE Inspired by TheModernProper.com
Ingredients
The Beech/Sugar Maple “climax community” was the most common mature forest type in the entire Northeastern U.S. before the arrival of Europeans. A climax forest community is a late-stage, steady-state forest that develops or “succeeds” from a grassland state to a mature forest over hundreds of years. The process of forest succession to Beech/Maple happens slowly while the Beech saplings bide their time, growing in complete
• 2 sticks butter, divided • 1/3 cup flour • 5 cups milk • 8 oz cream cheese • 3 cups shredded white cheddar cheese, divided • 4 cups shredded pepper jack cheese, divided • 2 tsp salt Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
• 2 tsp garlic powder • 1/2 tsp pepper • 1 lb bacon, chopped and cooked • 8 jalapeños, seeded and chopped • 1 lb macaroni, cooked • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2. In a large saucepan, melt 1 stick butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until fully absorbed in butter. Whisk in milk slowly. 3. Once sauce thickens, stir in cream cheese and shredded cheese until melted, reserving 1 cup of each shredded cheese. Add seasonings, bacon, and jalapeños before removing from heat, then combine pasta and sauce. 4. In a small skillet, melt remaining butter and stir in panko. 5. In a greased baking dish or skillet, add macaroni and top with panko and remaining cheese. Bake for 30–40 minutes and serve warm.
shade. It would be tragic to lose the precious few mature American Beech/Maple forests we have left in Connecticut. Today, researchers are working overtime to understand and manage this disease, but in the meantime, little can be done to prevent its spread. Here are three things you can do to help today. • Avoid transporting Beech firewood from one site to another. • Choose other species to plant near a forested area where BLD is found. • Educate others to spread awareness about the disease.
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69 TALCOTT RD. WEST HARTFORD, CT 06110 WWW.TROUTBROOKTREE.COM (860) 888-8472
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SCAN FOR A QUOTE
& A rborists
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
1 The Impactful Legacy of the 1938 Hurricane 2 Tummy Talks: Nourishing a Healthy Gut Use Your Garden’s Fall Bounty for Home Decor! 3 Majestic Beech Trees Are Threatened Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese 4 Don’t Miss These Fun Fall Pumpkin Patches! HARVEST FUN:
The Best Pickin’ Patches Near West Hartford
Rosedale Farms & Vineyards Voted Connecticut’s No. 1 farm for over 100 years, Rosedale Farms & Vineyards offers a fantastic array of pumpkins, sunflowers, fruits, and vegetables. This fall, visitors can enjoy hayrides, corn mazes, and even wine tastings while exploring the fields of fall pumpkins. Brown’s Harvest With various pumpkins, chrysanthemums, and gourds, Brown’s Harvest is a patch you’ll definitely want to check out! On the weekends, you can enjoy a hayride, live music, a jump pad, a barrel train ride, and a corn maze. Kids can also visit with the chickens for a full farm experience! Farmers Market in West Hartford Center The Farmer’s Market at Bishop’s Corner always has an amazing selection of pumpkins. The simplicity
The fall foliage has begun to arrive! This time of year, West Hartford comes to life with crisp colors and various pumpkin patches and farms waiting to be explored. Enjoy the seasonal charm of our area at these local patches in and surrounding West Hartford!
of the experience allows for a genuine connection with the fall season, and it’s a great spot for autumn pictures, too! Karabin Farms Get in the true fall spirit at Karabin Farms. Not only can you pick out the perfect pumpkin for carving, but you can also enjoy a pick-your-own- apple experience. This farm even has dwarf trees that are “kid-friendly” for the little ones! The Pickin’ Patch Mums, gourds, and pumpkins, oh my! The Pickin’ Patch has everything you need to prepare for fall and Halloween. The Pickin’ Patch has been around for over 300 years and evolved from a tobacco farm into a U-pick location. With a lot of history, this nostalgic farm is a must-visit each fall season!
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