NOVEMBER 2021 & A rborists
WWW.TROUTBROOKTREE.COM
(860) 888-8472
Keeping the Light in Our Hearts GRATITUDE IS THE BEST ATTITUDE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
with so much going on in the world around us, we can forget just how important the basics are. Gratitude is the name of the season. Take time to thank those who make your life better with them in it. We are all so busy with the hustle and bustle of our daily lives that taking time out to voice appreciation for family and friends can be difficult. This holiday season, set aside time to spend with your loved ones. The spirit of Thanksgiving is sure to get the gratitude flowing. This time of year, many view the changing weather as a challenge. Winter brings harsh and cold weather. Although it is brutal outdoors, we at Trout Brook Landscaping still put in the effort to get things done at work. Not only is this beneficial for our career, but getting outdoors, even in the darkest time of the year, also helps to keep us in a routine, healthy, and sane. We adapt with the seasons. While not everyone works outdoors, and many do not want to be out in the cold, it is important to still keep busy.
The year is drawing to a close and November is here! The autumn leaves are falling, and now, trees are just waiting to be carpeted with white, glistening snow as temperatures drop and winter approaches. The holidays are here, and after a tough year, some esprit de corps is necessary to keep us going strong. This year has been filled with some difficult moments for everyone. Whether you’ve gotten sick, faced work challenges, lost a loved one, or had to cancel plans, the pandemic has affected us all in some way or another. The isolation we have felt while socially distancing has been damaging enough on our emotional health. The comradery of a team and having people in your corner adds a magical element of cohesiveness and innovation. And, after all, many hands make light work. This holiday season, take the time to reflect on all of the good that has also come from this past year. Be sure to celebrate the relationships you have, those whom you love, and your many blessings. We are fortunate to have a roof over our heads, food on our tables, and clothes on our backs. Sometimes,
Or possibly, you can even play outdoors with your kids and family a few days a week. As the sunlight declines earlier and earlier in the sky, and the day seems to dwindle away from us even before dinnertime, you must maintain your best self. The lack of sunlight can bring us down a bit. Make sure to keep moving and enjoy the company of others. That’s the name of the game — keep the light in your heart! If at all possible, connect with your family and friends on Thanksgiving and travel if you have to because it’s the one time a year when everyone is able to come together. That’s what the holiday is all about!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Maybe you can engage in some volunteer work or family projects.
–Andrew Bachman (860) 888-8472
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STARGAZING, BIRD-WATCHING, AND MORE November Is Secretly the Best Time to Camp
see meteor showers. If you’ve ever been entranced by the night sky, November provides the perfect opportunity to stargaze. Bird-Watching At this point in the season, many birds have already begun to migrate south. Some birds have stopover locations they stay at for a few days, so you might see birds unique to the area due to their migration. States in the north might see their local birds flying against beautiful backdrops as they make their journey to warmer areas. Regardless of your camping expertise, November is the perfect time to immerse yourself in the great outdoors. If you’re looking for a new family adventure or just want some personal quiet time to reflect, look no further than fall camping.
Camping is most often associated with summer, but the humid, hot weather combined with the numerous bugs can create a frustrating experience. Most don’t realize that fall — specifically November — is the perfect time to take the family for an outdoor adventure. Here are some of the best reasons to pitch your tent in November. Scenery and Weather Camping in spring usually brings the risk of rain, while summer temperatures can make it unbearable. Fall weather, however,
provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy camping to its fullest. It’s usually dry, and most states do not hit colder temperatures until the end of November. The leaves also change color in preparation for winter, which creates some truly awe-inspiring scenery — and a natural playground for children. Just watch for hidden dangers lurking beneath the fallen leaves that could injure your child. You shouldn’t have to worry about bugs, though; November has significantly fewer bugs than the summer or spring months. Stargazing Less rain means fewer clouds, which means clearer nights. Combine that with fewer leaves on the trees, and you have an unobscured view that’s better than any other time of the year. November is also one of the few months when you can
ASK THE EXPERT: GUTTERS
Q: Why should I clean my gutters? Andrew: Over time, water from a clogged gutter causes mold and water damage to the roof, eves, and fascia — the board behind the gutters. If water is not channeled away from the house, it ends up next to the foundation and in the basement. There is also the risk of an ice dam, which occurs when snowmelt refreezes on a roof overnight. The weight and expansion properties of the ice threaten to break the roof and gutter. Q: When should I clean my gutters? Andrew: In West Hartford, gutters should be cleaned every spring and fall, especially if your home is close to trees. Q: How are they cleaned? Andrew: We clean gutters with a handheld blower, hand tools, and gloves. We use strong ladders and have a blower extension for hard to reach areas. We guarantee
to check all the downspouts and runoff chutes, too. For hard-to-reach areas, we can utilize a boom truck. We also have a licensed Connecticut arborist on staff to
discuss tree pruning over the house. Call or text us at (860) 888-8472 for a quote and make sure to tell us the approximate date your leaves finish falling.
–Andrew Bachman (860) 888-8472
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TAKE A BREAK
Avoiding Holiday Stress
It’s here! The holiday season has arrived.
The holidays are full of happiness, cheer, great food, fun times, and some inevitable stress. With the hustle and bustle of preparing for family gatherings, it’s hard not to get a tad overwhelmed.
To avoid becoming anxious — and to make sure you enjoy time with family and friends — try to take some breaks this holiday season. Oftentimes, between work holiday parties, shopping, meal prepping, cleaning, planning, and the duties of our daily lives, it can become too much. Make sure you allow some time to pay attention to your own needs and feelings. The alone time may be just what you need to stay relaxed. There is such a thing as doing too much of a good thing. Too many activities can culminate into unnecessary stress. With all of the gift giving, sometimes it can cause people to wind up spending too much money. Make sure you set a budget for buying gifts and stick to it! Now more than ever, many are struggling financially. There are gift options that cost little to no money. Consider crafting some gifts, packaging some of your favorite recipes, cooking something tasty, or planning a day of fun. Make sure to stay realistic. Try to take the pressure off yourself and, if you are hosting a party, the entire house doesn’t need to be deep-cleaned — just spruce up the common areas. Instead of worrying about everything being perfect, concentrate on the traditions that make the holiday special. To avoid becoming overwhelmed by too many activities, prioritize them. Remember, if you don’t get to something, it’s okay! Most of the time, holiday stress is predictable; you’ll see it coming, and you’ll know when it’ll end. However, we can do many of these things to keep it at a manageable level. Come January, you don’t want to feel depleted. Take the time to enjoy the season and create lasting memories! Happy holidays!
Easy Cranberry- Apple Salad
Inspired by CookieAndKate.com
Want the taste of fall without the calories? Try this quick and easy salad, topped with homemade apple cider vinaigrette. Ingredients
For the salad: • 1/4 cup dried
For the dressing: • 1/4 cup olive oil • 1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar • 1 1/2 tsp honey • 1 tsp Dijon mustard • Salt and pepper to taste
pumpkin seeds • 5 cups salad mix • 2 Granny Smith apples, chopped into bite-size pieces • 1/3 cup dried cranberries • 1/3 cup goat cheese, crumbled
Directions
1. In a skillet over medium heat, toast the pumpkin seeds until fragrant, then set aside. 2. In a small jar or bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients, then set aside. 3. Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing until lightly coated, then toss and serve!
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69 TALCOTT RD. WEST HARTFORD, CT 06110 WWW.TROUTBROOKTREE.COM (860) 888-8472
NOVEMBER 2021 & A rborists
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
1 Celebrating Thanksgiving 2 November Is Secretly the Best Time to Camp Ask the Expert: Gutters 3 Avoiding Holiday Stress Easy Cranberry-Apple Salad 4 Winter Tree Pruning
Why Winter Pruning Is Necessary Only the Best for Your Trees
stress on the tree because as the tree is hibernating, so to speak, the tree’s energy is stored in the roots, ensuring that the tree doesn’t go into shock. This way, the tree is able to emerge from hibernation in a healthier state than if the pruning took place in warmer months. Also, dormant pruning allows the tree time to heal and regrow before the warmer weather welcomes destructive pathogens and insects. It’s healthier for the tree. In the winter months, we can better evaluate the tree and do a proper “checkup” while we look for potential trouble spots (related to disease, structural rot, or infestation) and address them. Also, pruning in the winter months reduces the transmission of diseases that affect trees because the disease is also dormant. For the best-looking and healthiest trees to emerge in springtime, winter pruning is a must! If you haven’t already scheduled your winter pruning, give us a call at (860) 888-8472!
Winter is a popular time to prune your trees. Many times, people think that as trees become dormant and lose their leaves, the tree care is on hold until spring. However, that is not the case. From November– December until February–March, trees are in their dormancy period while they take a rest and wait for the warmer weather to wake them up. This is the best time to prune them!
Why, you ask?
It’s easier. Without leaves getting in the way, our team has better access to all parts of the tree, and the structure is more visible. Decaying, dead, or broken branches can easily be removed, and the healthy ones can be trimmed. Proper pruning requires that the right cuts are made in the right places. It’s less stressful. By this, we mean both for the arborist and the tree! While we aren’t as busy in the winter in our off-season, we can take more time with the job. Winter puts less
We look forward to getting you on the books!
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