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July/August 2023 & A rborists
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(860) 888-8472
MARKED SAFE FROM STORM DAMAGE As a longtime
We understand the risk of tree rot and overgrowth in bad weather and are prepared to evaluate risk level for you. Late summer and early fall are when we tend to get tropical storm remnants and nor’easters, and you don’t want to be the last one on your street getting your power turned back on. By reducing the size of the tree’s crown and thinning the canopy by removing dead branches, we can reduce the wind- catching ability of your trees. Proactive pruning BEFORE a storm is better than reactive removal after a major storm. On larger properties, we also routinely do YARD EXPANSION, where we remove a ring of trees on the edge of the yard that can reach the house if they fell over at the base. We have the equipment for multiple tree removals in just
arborist in West Hartford and a town resident for 35 years, I can say we’ve had an exceptionally wet spring and summer. Following last summer’s severe drought, trees and foliage have been
frantically growing after being drought-stressed for many months. Now, everything is green and overgrown. If we get one strong windstorm, I fear trees and branches could come down on houses — that’s why preventive pruning is essential! Summer is still in full swing, and now is the time to get together with friends and family, embrace the outdoors, and soak up this gorgeous weather. On the back of this newsletter, we have some hyper-local daytrips for ways to enjoy summer — be sure to check it out! Here at Trout Brook Arborists, we focus on “risk reduction pruning” to keep your family and dwelling safe from damage during summer’s unpredictable weather. Over the past few months, we’ve seen the damage that storms in the Midwest have left behind. Severe weather will happen anywhere, but we are here to ensure your trees are prepared. A WORD OF ADVICE: Knowing your rights is important. As part of all homeowners’ policies, If a tree falls on your home caused by wind, you have the right to reimbursement for the cost to immediately remove the tree of off the home. It’s also the responsibility of a policyholder to mitigate water damage inside the home and protect the home’s structural stability, so don’t delay!
one day. Whether you want to thin your tree density or preserve and prune your trees, remember this: It all starts with an arborist assessment.
CALL US TODAY FOR YOUR TREE SERVICE NEEDS! 860-999-4630.
If you’re a regular or longtime client of ours, and we already take care of your trees biannually, you may not have any needs right now. However, the best compliment you can give us is your recommendation. If you know anyone who recently
purchased a home in the area or someone from work or the neighborhood who needs some tree help, please pass along our number. We won’t let you down!
–Andrew Bachman CT Arborist S6222
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3 Memorable Ways to Close the Season SUMMER ISN’T OVER YET!
As much as many of us wish we could have an endless summer, all good things must come to an end. But why let the season close with a whimper when you can go out with a bang? Strive for a memorable last few days of the season with one of these family-friendly ideas. Take a family road trip. What says “summer” more than piling in the car and driving somewhere? You don’t necessarily have to go far. A new town a few hours away can still be an adventure. Check out a local state park or nearby museum you’ve always meant to visit and let your children enjoy the novelty of sleeping in a hotel room or camper. Even a weekend away will feel like an occasion and stick out in everyone’s memories. Spend a day on the water. Enjoying the water is one of the summer’s
greatest pleasures, so make the most of it one last time. Depending on where you live, you might incorporate this idea into your road trip. Head to the nearest beach, lake, or river and pack in as much summer fun as possible with a favorite summer activity or something new! You could help your kids build a sandcastle, rent a kayak or paddleboat, or try water skiing. You might even surf or snorkel. Have a late night. Bedtime routines are about to make a return for school kids, much to their possible dismay, but you can indulge them with one last hurrah. Plan a special late night
problem — build a pillow fort in the living room instead!
the family can enjoy together. You might go to a drive-in theater or host a movie marathon at home with plenty of popcorn. Camping on your lawn will also allow staying up late together doing something exciting. No tent? No Summer only comes once a year, so don’t let its final days go to waste. A special celebration to mark the season’s end will leave you with lasting memories and even more reasons to look forward to next year. WHERE YOU EXERCISE MATTERS Why Outdoor Movement Is Better
We all know exercise is good for our physical and mental health. But whether we’re going on a jog through nature or clocking minutes on a treadmill, it’s all the same — right? A recent study suggests there may be a crucial difference. There is mounting evidence that where you exercise matters. A small study from the University of Victoria recently researched the benefits of “green exercise,” or that performed in nature. The authors of the 2023 paper found that physical activity in natural surroundings had benefits beyond those generally associated with movement. Study participants who went on 15-minute walks outside saw improvements in memory and concentration more significantly than when they performed the same exercise indoors. Neuroscientists behind the research can only guess why these results occurred. Some experts believe
These findings confirm something you may have already expected to be true. You probably feel better after a bike ride through the park than spending the same time on a stationary bike in your basement. Exercise on gym equipment can also be tedious, and many people spend the bulk of their time staring at the clock, counting down the minutes until they’re finished. We’re less likely to have that problem outside. Unsurprisingly, doctors argue that any physical activity is better than none. Using gym equipment will provide far more benefits than sitting on your couch. But when you have the option to exercise outdoors, you should take it. Just remember that all outdoor exercise is not created equal. The Washington Post reports that outdoor activity in urban areas surrounded by concrete does not appear to have the same benefits as exercise in quieter, greener places.
being out in nature helps us relax and quiet our brains. Additional research also demonstrates that people generally find outdoor exercise less physically taxing than indoor varieties — even when the outdoor exercise is quite strenuous.
Fortunately, it doesn’t take much to see an impact. From a mental health perspective, 15 minutes of green exercise at a time seems to be ideal. So, get out as much as you can. And when you’re stuck inside due to weather or other circumstances, continue to make the most of it with as much exercise as possible.
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TAKE A BREAK
It’s always better to be prepared than surprised or caught off guard when it comes to pruning your trees! Likewise, back-to-school season is sneaking up on us (don’t worry, we still have a large chunk of summer left). So, it’s time to start preparing for school buses on the roads, activity in school zones, and back-to-school shopping and planning. If you’re a parent, here’s a checklist to get your family back on track and into a school routine! Start a Sleep Routine Start getting your kids’ sleep schedule back on track a few weeks before that first school bell rings. In the summer months, most children have a more relaxed sleep routine. Establish earlier bedtime routines as well as wake-up and morning schedules, and stick to them! This will make that first day and week of school much easier and less hectic. Shop for Supplies When it comes to back-to-school shopping, start early before the rush, and don’t forget to take advantage of Connecticut’s Tax-Free Week from Aug. 20–26! Check with your child’s school and teacher for a list of all necessary supplies and uniforms for the upcoming 2023–24 school year! Promote Healthy Eating Studies show a strong link between healthy eating and optimal learning. For your child to learn at their best throughout the school year, get started now on implementing healthier eating. By having breakfast, lunch, and dinner during regular meal hours and allowing your child to help pick out their favorite healthy snacks for their school lunch, you’ll be well on your way to enhancing their learning. Back-to-school season is an exciting time for children and families. It’s always amazing to see how much children learn, develop, and change over the course of a few months during the school year. From us here at Trout Brook Landscaping, we wish everyone a great 2023–24 school season! Back-to-School Will Soon Be Here IT’S JUST AROUND THE CORNER …
Raspberry and Fig Oat Bars Inspired by Delicious.com.au
Ingredients
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour • 1/4 cup cornstarch • 1 tsp baking powder • 1 cup and 1 tbsp rolled oats, divided • 2 sticks chilled unsalted butter, diced
• 2/3 cup caster sugar (superfine granulated) • 2 eggs, beaten • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1/4 cup raspberry jam • 1 1/3 cups raspberries • 3 figs, quartered • 1 tbsp turbinado or brown sugar
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and line an 8x12-inch pan with parchment paper. 2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and 1 cup oats. Using your fingertips, rub in butter until crumbly. Stir in caster sugar, then add egg and vanilla. Stir until clumpy. 3. In the pan, smooth three-quarters of the mixture evenly. Spread jam over the top, then add fruit. Mix leftover oat mixture with turbinado sugar and remaining oats, then sprinkle over the fruit. 4. Bake for 40–45 minutes until golden. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then slice and serve.
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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 Spend Now to Save Later on Tree Damage 2 End Summer on a High Note Are You Exercising in the Right Place? 3 It’s Time to Prepare for Back to School! Raspberry and Fig Oat Bars 4 Check Out These Local Seasonal Events PENCIL THIS IN!
Local Events and Activities for Late Summer
It’s a perfect time of year: The days are warm and sunny, and the evenings are cool and clear. Aside from our usual summer storms, it’s a fantastic time to get outdoors, explore, go on an adventure (or two), and embrace nature. So, before we return to the cold and snow, here are some fun activities to add to your summer calendar! Fruit and Veggie Picking What better way to get outside and make memories than picking your own berries and apples with the kids? There are many local U-pick farms with amazing seasonal fruit (and veggies). Here are just a few for you to check out this summer and early fall:
the oldest tree in Connecticut. Don’t forget to pack suntan lotion, water, and snacks — canoeing all day in the sun can work up an appetite! You can book a trip and learn more at MetacometCanoe.com Blue Back Farmers’ Market Every Sunday through the end of October, stop by Blue Back Farmers Market in the parking lot of West Hartford’s Town Hall. Summer is a great season for delicious fruits and veggies, and while you browse, you’ll find plenty to do! The event features vendor tents, live music, author readings, cooking demos, arts and crafts, and food and drinks!
• Berlin Orchard — Berlin, CT • The Pickin’ Patch — Avon, CT • Dondero Orchards — South Glastonbury, CT
• Kuras Berry Farm — West Suffield, CT • Scantic Valley Farm — Somers, CT
Farmington River Canoeing If you’re looking for excitement and a reconnect with nature that you will remember for years, Metacomet Tours offers canoe rental with pickup and dropoff along the river. You will encounter cool forest waters, epic wildlife such as otters and eagles, and scenery that feels like you are 50 miles from civilization. The tour guides drop you off with a canoe and quick lesson and pick you up 6 miles downriver where you finish at the Pinchot Sycamore tree,
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