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September/October 2024 & A rborists
WWW.TROUTBROOKTREE.COM
(860) 888-8472
Essential Preparations for Hurricane Season DON’T OVERLOOK TREE CARE
As hurricane season continues and we brace ourselves for potential storms, tree care is one often overlooked aspect of storm preparedness. With high winds and torrential rains, trees are frequently the culprits behind much of the severe weather property damage. The importance of preventive tree pruning and post-storm cleanup cannot be stated enough, especially as we head into the most active period of the season. Being proactive can save you from the costly and sometimes dangerous aftermath that can follow when trees are left unchecked. Why Preventive Tree Pruning Matters Preventive tree pruning not only ensures your trees’ beauty, it also enforces the safety of your home and property. Pruning helps reduce the risk of branches breaking off during intense winds, which can cause significant damage to homes, roofs, and vehicles. Weak or overgrown branches are particularly susceptible to snapping in storms or even preventable disasters. Regular pruning also promotes your trees’ health and helps them stand stronger and withstand harsh weather. Remove dead or dying trees before a storm. Here’s why: While a tree may appear healthy from the outside, it could potentially be suffering from internal rot, disease, or pest infestations that compromise its integrity, and to anyone’s eye, this may not be apparent. A tree affected by these factors is more likely to come down in a storm and cause significant damage and high costs. Regular inspections and pruning by one of our
professionals can address these issues before they become hazardous. The Importance of Post-Storm Cleanup After a storm has passed, assessing tree damage is essential to prevent further issues. A tree that appears fine might have sustained damage that isn’t immediately visible. For instance, root damage, partially blown-over trees, or hidden rot can create instability, turning a once-safe tree into a ticking time bomb for the next storm. Our professional expertise is especially helpful in these situations! Our team is trained to identify these less apparent dangers. Sometimes, a tree that looks beyond saving can be restored with the proper care, sparing you the expense of removal or replacement. Conversely, some trees may appear stable but have hidden damage that could lead to severe problems down the road. Why Tree Assessments Are Essential The expertise and experience that come with a professional tree assessment are invaluable. As licensed and certified arborists, we bring deep knowledge and a trained eye to each evaluation. We can spot things the average person might miss, such as subtle signs of root damage, decay, or structural issues that could lead to destruction in the next storm. A professional tree assessment is a wise investment if you’re concerned about protecting your home and property during hurricane season. We offer free residential
assessments because everyone deserves peace of mind regarding the safety of their property. Our team is licensed, insured, and highly experienced in tree care, with certifications that include a Connecticut arborist license, an ISA arborist license, and membership in the Connecticut Tree Protective Association (CTPA). Additionally, I am a Certified Horticulturist with over 12 years of experience as an arborist. Our
qualifications ensure you’re getting the highest level of expertise and care.
–Andrew Bachman CT Arborist S6222
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EYES TO THE SKY
A Family Guide to Birdwatching
The great outdoors is full of incredible wildlife and nature, just waiting for us to get out and explore. Whether you’re going to your local arboretum, a national park, or even your own backyard, you can always find something unique to look at. Sometimes, turning toward the sky will provide an amazing opportunity to see something special. We can find birds almost anywhere. If you’re looking for a new way to keep your kids entertained while educating them, looking for birds can be a great family bonding activity. Start by researching the birds in your area, both permanent residents and those migrating. You’ll likely see common birds in your backyard or around the neighborhood, but you may need to travel to a local park to see some of the more unique species.
At first, your kids may need some help finding different birds. Binoculars might be too difficult to use, so it’s up to you to point them in the right direction. Look out for nests, cracked seeds, and other signs indicating birds are nearby. You don’t have to use only your eyes when searching the skies and trees for birds; listen intently, too! Tracking birds through their calls will help alert you to the species you’re searching for and where to look. To keep your kids’ attention as you bird watch, you may need to make a game out of it. Create a scavenger hunt to find five birds in your hometown or the area you’re visiting. You can get specific with unique species or keep it broad by having them look for hawks, ducks, etc. Let your child take the lead, encouraging them to point out birds they
see or hear instead of relying on you to tell them. You can even encourage your kids to mimic the different birdcalls they hear. Birdwatching is a great way to get your kids outdoors exploring nature. It could even lead to a full-time passion or career in the future.
UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF ANIMAL FOOTPRINTS Become a Nature Detective
Count the Toes Your main clues to the owner of these natural calling cards are the number of toe and claw marks on the print. Canines, like wolves, and felines, like cougars, all have four toes, but you can see a significant difference between their claws. Cats have retractable claws, so their pawprints won’t always have claws. In contrast, birds have distinctive tracks with three long, skinny, forward-facing toes. Identify Your Prey When you have identified what animal family left the print behind, you can begin to home in on its exact species. Use a small ruler to measure the size of the track to give you clues. A wolf, for example, has similar prints to a dog, but they are about 2 inches wider. Context is also a crucial factor when you’re tracking. Think about the animals that live in the area. Would there be any domesticated dogs in the woods where you are hiking? Document your tracks with photos and notes in a nature journal. If you’re still unsure, go online and look at various animal tracks. You may find what you’re looking for! So, next time you stumble upon animal tracks, get out your ruler and camera! Those prints could lead you on a great adventure!
Have you ever discovered a mysterious set of animal tracks? Reading those footprints can be your ticket to uncovering the hidden world of wildlife right under
your nose. Whether you’re on a camping trip hoping to spot one of your favorite critters or simply curious about the pawprints you stumbled on at home, we’re here to show
you how to become a nature detective.
Prepare and Observe You’ll have the best luck spotting tracks or other signs of animal life in places where wildlife is known to frequent. Find watering holes or other areas where animals may feed or gather. Tracks need a suitable medium, like snow, mud, sand, or soft dirt, for them to show. Regardless of where you’re heading, bring a field guide, a map of the area, hiking supplies, and tools for tracking, like a ruler, magnifying glass, and a camera.
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Once hurricane season winds down, many focus on recovery and rebuilding, and one of the most important aspects of this process is replanting trees. While storms can leave behind damage and debris, they also provide an opportunity to renew our landscapes. After all, replanting trees is not just about replacing what was lost — it’s about contributing to the environment, restoring beauty, and ensuring Trees play a crucial role in our environment — they provide shade, absorb carbon dioxide, reduce energy costs, and work wonders for air quality. They even help reduce soil erosion, manage water runoff, and contribute to the overall health of our ecosystems. After a destructive storm season, replanting trees helps restore balance and brings life back to our communities. future shade and habitat for wildlife. The Importance of Replanting Trees When replanting, choosing the right trees for our environment here in West Hartford is essential. Not all trees are equally resilient to storms, so selecting species that can withstand high winds and challenging weather conditions is key. It’s also important to consider the tree’s size at maturity and its root structure to avoid future issues with foundations, driveways, or overhead power lines. Tips for Replanting Trees After Storm Season Select Wind-Resistant Species: To prevent problems, opt for native trees known for their resilience. Consider Proper Spacing: Provide enough space between trees and structures—proper spacing allows for healthy growth and reduces the risk of branches or roots causing damage in the future. Don’t Forget Planting Depth: Trees should be planted at the correct depth. Planting too deeply can lead to root rot and other health issues. Focus on Root Health: Roots are the foundation of any tree’s stability. Loosen the roots when planting to encourage proper growth and anchorage. We’re Here to Help Replanting trees after a storm can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our team is here to assist with all your tree replanting needs, from selecting the right species to ensuring proper planting techniques. For more information and REPLANTING AFTER THE STORM Renewing Our Landscapes With Resilient Trees
AUTUMN BOO CANDY COFFEE
FOLIAGE GHOST GOURD MOON
SPOOKY SOUP TAILGATE TOUCHDOWN
Pumpkin Pie French Toast Inspired by AllRecipes.com
Ingredients
•
1 1/2 tsp vegetable oil, or as needed 1/2 cup half-and-half
• • • • •
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• • • •
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/4 cup canned pumpkin purée
8 slices day-old bread Maple syrup, to taste
3 large eggs
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Directions 1. Lightly oil a skillet and heat over medium heat.
2. Whisk half-and-half, pumpkin purée, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice together in a bowl. Stir in walnuts until evenly distributed. 3. Place 1 slice of bread in the bowl and let it soak briefly to coat both sides. Lift bread to let excess liquid drip back into the bowl, then transfer to the hot skillet. 4. Cook for 2–3 minutes or until golden brown, then flip and cook the other side until done. 5. Stir batter to redistribute walnuts and repeat with other slices of bread, cooking in several batches if necessary. 6. Serve warm with maple syrup.
recommendation on trees to plant, scan the QR code on this page to visit the Chicago Morton arboretum tree planting tutorial and to play with their tree species selector tool. We’re committed to helping you rebuild a stronger and greener landscape — one tree at a time.
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69 TALCOTT RD. WEST HARTFORD, CT 06110 WWW.TROUTBROOKTREE.COM (860) 888-8472
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& A rborists
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
1 Tree Care Tips Before the Next Storm 2 Discover the World of Birds
Your Guide to Wildlife Tracking Fun
3 Choosing the Right Trees After a Stormy Season
Pumpkin Pie French Toast
4 How Snowstorm Alfred Launched Our Tree Service Journey
The Halloween Storm That Changed Everything for Trout Brook Remembering Snowstorm Alfred
Let’s take a trip down memory lane, back to Halloween 2011 when a surprise snowstorm named Snowstorm Alfred hit Connecticut. If you were living in Connecticut at the time, you surely remember this one. It wasn’t just any storm; it was a freak ice and snow event that arrived the day before Halloween and left nearly a foot and a half of snow covering the trees. For us at Trout Brook, it marked the beginning of our journey into serious tree work and taught the community valuable lessons about the importance of preventive tree care. The storm took everyone by surprise. With leaves still on the trees, the heavy snow weighed down branches, leading to widespread damage. Trees snapped under the pressure, branches broke off, and entire trunks were split into two. It was a scene of chaos with downed power lines, blocked
roads, and countless properties impacted by fallen trees. It was a mess. Ian’s brother, Collin, and I jumped into action and did everything we could to help our community recover. We were so busy going from one location to another with our equipment and assisting homeowners with clearing fallen trees and debris. It was a massive undertaking that really put Trout Brook on the map as a reliable tree service provider. We realized then that our work wasn’t just about cleaning up after the storm but also about educating people on the importance of proactive tree care to prevent such damage in the future. Looking back at that time, it’s clear a lot has changed for us, but the lesson remains the same — preventive tree care is crucial. Preparing trees in advance can save time,
money, and stress during storms. We’ll never forget Snowstorm Alfred, not just for the mess it left behind but for how it shaped our business and strengthened our commitment to
keeping our community safe through proactive tree care.
–Andrew Bachman CT Arborist S6222
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