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September – October 2022 & A rborists
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A Call to Action for Tree Stewardship With moisture and the cycle of cool nights and warm days, the magnificent smell of things growing is often accompanied by storms that produce strong wind here in New England. PROTECTING OUR TREES OF WEST HARTFORD
Following the loss of a tree to harsh weather, restoring that natural canopy over your home is critical because it keeps home values high, beautifies the community, and keeps your yard and home cooler during brutally hot summer months. While it may take 25 years for a juvenile tree to grow to a big, luscious canopy over your home, the wait is well worth it! An overspreading, leafy canopy filled with birds is a luxury you simply cannot purchase. This luxury is EARNED, through the stewardship of your trees and by hiring an arborist company to prune or replace your tree. Here are the 4 Types of Tree Services we offer: 1. Tree removal We utilize a spider lift or bucket truck, in conjuction sometimes with a crane, to remove dangerous, tall and heavy trees. 2. Tree pruning (cleaning, raising, reducing): a) Prune to reduce the crown of a tree for wind protection, b) Raising the canopy for clearance of structures. c) Prune to thin interior branches and structural pruning to help young trees e) Prune out dead wood and broken overhanging dangerous limbs 3. Stump Grinding: Grind the tree stump and its adjacent surface roots with a big spinning iron wheel with teeth. Grinding completely eliminates the stump to allow for planting grass or replanting a new tree.
We are now in the heart of hurricane season, and it’s a critical time to prune your overgrown trees . The remaining mature trees around town have been trimmed and protected over the past 80+ years. Although no one alive can claim to have planted them, many of us benefit from towering leafy trees, and beautifully (and enviably) shaded yard.
Beginning with when the tree is first planted, all the way through its mature adult years, these trees have been watered, pruned, protected from root damage of driveways or masonry, and sometimes cabled - and that’s true stewardship ! And sometimes the tree has been through three or four owners who raised their children in the same house. And when a tree falls down on that property, it is replaced with reverence and care. A mature tree canopy is truly a marker of a quality society. A community of people who see the value of maintaining the shade.
4. Tall Hedge and Ornamental pruning: Most of this pruning is for functionality. We keep the hedge rows shaped and the bushes looking well-kept.
–Andrew Bachman CT Arborist S6222
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3 Foods That Boost Skin Protection From the Sun EAT AWAY THE UV RAYS
By now, most of us know how to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays. We apply sunscreen, wear hats and sunglasses, and opt for shaded spots to enjoy a picnic or a break. But what if we told you there was a way to do more, and it involved some really tasty food?
something similar. To add these to your diet, include fruit with every meal, swap potatoes for sweet potatoes for the summer, or snack on some fresh tomatoes! Fatty Fish You have heard that omega-3s are great for your heart, but your skin loves this compound, too. Omega-3s can limit the impact of a sunburn, which can lessen the damage sunburns do to your skin. This is due to the natural anti-inflammatory properties in omega-3s. The best source of this nutrient is in fish, like salmon, herring, or trout. Try searing these delicacies on the grill for your next barbecue. Flavorful Drinks Your morning routine just got better. Studies have found that coffee and green tea can have tremendous health benefits for your skin. One study found that drinking coffee may lower your risk of developing melanoma (a common form of skin cancer), while green tea contains polyphenols, which, much like the compounds found in fruit, can offer skin protection. Pour yourself a mug each day to reap a few benefits for your skin. As always, consult with a trusted medical professional if you have further questions or have concerns about your skin’s health.
The good news is that it’s true!
Many studies have found that antioxidants are the key to protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. While simply changing your diet won’t eliminate the need for sunscreen, you can boost the effectiveness of your sun protection habits by making a few simple swaps. Note: These benefits have only been found in the consumption of the actual food, not the consumption of the food’s nutrients in supplement form. Discuss your supplement options with a trusted medical professional before taking them. Colorful Fruits and Veggies The colors that make fruits and vegetables look so lively are the very compounds our skin loves. Foods like tomatoes, sweet potatoes, pomegranates, kiwis, and oranges all contain carotenoids, which can have sun protection abilities. Likewise, grapes and berries have their own compounds that do TREE SPOTLIGHT Highlighting the Seven-Son Flower Tree Waiting until late summer to early fall to bloom, the ornamental seven-son flower tree (Heptacodium miconioides) is a hearty, zone 5 tree/shrub that grows beautifully in our climate here in West Hartford! Like the popular dogwood tree, the seven-son flower tree, named for its clusters of seven flower buds that almost resemble jasmine, stays relatively small, only reaching heights of about 15–20 feet and 10 feet in width. This tree was first discovered in China in 1907 but wasn’t introduced to gardeners in the United States until 1980 and was sometimes referred to as the “autumn lilac” or “hardy crapemyrtle.” The seven-son flower tree is versatile and adaptable, as it can tolerate a wide range of climates and conditions, but ideal conditions include total sun exposure or partial shade, average moisture, and loam or sandy soil. The tree is absolutely beautiful — it produces masses of white fragrant flowers in summer, then cherry-red sepals (the outer part of the flower) in fall. This is because as the flowers fall, the sepals stay behind, giving the illusion that it’s blooming all over again.
One of the most distinctive features of the tree is its peeling bark. When the tree exfoliates its tan bark, a cinnamon- colored inner bark is revealed, creating an aesthetically pleasing pattern. The seven-son flower tree provides an excellent habitat for birds and other wildlife, and its flowers offer tons of nectar for pollinators! The tree is best pruned in winter when the flowers are set; if you prune it in spring or summer, the flower buds will be removed, and it won’t bloom that year!
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TAKE A BREAK
You don’t need high-end and expensive decorations to spice up your house this fall. You can make your own from things you may already have inside or around your home! Here are four DIY decorations you and your family can make this month. Autumn Leaf Mason Jars All you need are five things — Mason jars, leaves, glue, sponges, and tea lights. You can purchase fake autumn leaves at your local craft store or go outside and pick some of your favorites. After you lay out your jars, apply glue onto the jar and spread it with a sponge. Next, place your leaves onto the jar and let the glue dry. Finally, set a candle inside the jar, giving you beautiful ambient lighting for the season. Glitter Acorns Use these glitter acorns anywhere in your home to add a festive feel. Once you have several handfuls of acorns, you can either dip the entire acorn in glue and then add glitter to it, or you can apply glue to only the top and add glitter for a more rustic look. You can place this decoration in a Mason jar or any clear cup so the glitter of the acorns stands out. Chalkboard Pumpkins If you want to create a welcome sign that isn’t a rug or a wreath, try a chalkboard pumpkin! All you need are a few pumpkins of various sizes, chalkboard paint, and chalk. Paint your pumpkin with chalkboard paint, and once it dries, you can decorate and write anything you want on it. This idea is festive for the entire fall season since you can write and draw items for any holiday. Apple Candle Holders Carve about 1 inch into an apple, making room to place a tea light in the center. Once the candle is secured inside the apple, you’ll have an apple-scented candle! Use red and green apples for a diverse look, and please don’t leave candles burning unattended. Creating your own fall decorations from items you already have in your home or from outside, is a great way to spend time with your loved ones. So, get crafty this season! The ideas and designs you can create are endless. Create Cute Fall Decorations Without Breaking the Bank
Zucchini Corn Fritters Inspired by MakingThymeForHealth.com
If you have a bowl and 30 minutes, you can make these fritters for dinner! Add them to your list of go-to meals that celebrate summer vegetables.
Ingredients
• 4 cups shredded zucchini • 1/2 cup corn kernels • 6 green onions, chopped • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 1 1/4 cups chickpea flour
• 1 tsp dried thyme • 1 tsp each salt and pepper • 1 tbsp olive oil • Vegan nacho cheese,
black beans, salsa, and avocado for toppings
• 2 tsp ground cumin • 1 tsp dried oregano
Directions
1. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except oil and toppings. Stir until well combined and let rest for 5 minutes until a batter forms. 2. In a large skillet, warm the oil over medium heat. Scoop 1/4 cup of zucchini mixture into the skillet. Cook for 3–5 minutes, then flip. Cook for another 3–5 minutes until fritter is golden brown. Repeat with the remaining batter. 3. Serve topped with nacho cheese, black beans, salsa, and avocado.
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SCAN FOR A QUOTE
& A rborists
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
1 Protecting Our Trees of West Hartford 2 Help Protect Your Skin With Tasty Food! Tree Spotlight: The Seven-Son Flower Tree 3 4 DIY Fall Decorations Zucchini Corn Fritters 4 The Harmful Effects of DEET
Exploring the Harmful Effects of DEET DITCH THE ITCH SAFELY
DEET may be linked to Gulf War syndrome. Gulf War syndrome is a multisymptom illness experienced by many who served in the war. The symptoms include headaches, fatigue, skin conditions, and respiratory disorders. Although these concerns initially
When it comes to enjoying the great outdoors, itchy insect bites can really put a damper on the experience. Not only are bug bites itchy and annoying, they can potentially cause some serious illnesses such as Zika, Lyme disease, West Nile virus, and Keystone virus. When choosing a bug spray, it’s important to choose one that does not contain DEET. Here’s why: DEET can cause skin irritations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), DEET, when applied to the skin for an extended period of time, can cause skin irritations and allergic reactions, such as hives, itching, redness, and swelling in some people. Other people who were exposed to high concentrations of bug sprays containing DEET have even experienced skin and mucous membrane infections, skin rashes, and blisters. DEET has been linked to seizures and brain malfunctions. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), high concentrations or ingestion of DEET can cause nervous system impairment, which leads to seizures, slurred speech, and tremors. In a case study conducted by Human and Experimental Toxicology, even children who were briefly exposed to DEET experienced seizures because of the product.
involved those who served in the Gulf War, this syndrome is now potentially linked to a combination of pesticides, including DEET. What can you use instead? The next time you reach for bug spray, consider one of the many DEET-free products available on the market to help you enjoy nature without the bugs. There are various options, but one of the most well-known DEET-free bug sprays is Picaridin. It’s a synthetic compound found in black pepper that is proven to be very effective and is definitely worth checking out. Fleas, mosquitoes, gnats, and ticks, be gone — safely!
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