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January/February 2025 & A rborists
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A New Year’s Perspective HEALTH, SAFETY, AND GRATITUDE
How was your holiday season? Between celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah, I hope you experienced much joy, family time, and plenty of delicious food. But now, the calendar has flipped, and it’s time to welcome 2025. As many of you may know, I’ve been assisting with hurricane relief efforts in North Carolina, but I’m ready for a brand-new year. So, what’s on your radar for this year? Have you set any goals yet? I love this time of year because it feels like a clean slate — a chance to start fresh and refocus. It’s also a good time to reflect on last year. Did you set any goals in 2024 that didn’t get completed? While it happens to all of us, the real question is: How can you tweak those goals to make them happen this year? Maybe break them down into smaller, more manageable steps or find a new way to stay motivated. Take a little time to think about what you want 2025 to look like. Is it the year you focus on your health, find a new hobby, or finally tackle that project you’ve been putting off? Whatever it is, write it down, make a plan, and give yourself the time and space to figure it out. And don’t forget to celebrate the small wins along the way — they keep you moving forward! This year, I have so much to be grateful for. As I reflect on my experiences — from my travels in North Carolina to witnessing the devastation caused by wildfires closer to home — I’m reminded of just how much we all have to appreciate. In a world where the power of Mother Nature and unpredictable weather are entirely out of our control, health and safety become priceless blessings. It’s still the season of giving! Many families impacted by recent storms have lost their homes, cars, and essential belongings. You can make a difference by donating to relief organizations, volunteering, or contributing supplies. Every little bit helps support those in need. Let’s spread kindness together!
The impact of these events is a humbling reminder of what truly matters. So many people have faced unimaginable losses: their homes, cars, and even rental properties reduced to ashes in moments. It reminds us how quickly life can change and how fortunate we are for the things we often take for granted.
These experiences have taught me to pause and appreciate the small, everyday comforts — our homes, loved ones, and the ability to look forward to a new day. So, in 2025, let’s carry gratitude in our hearts and keep perspective on what truly matters most. Happy New Year! –Andrew Bachman CT Arborist S6222
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Get Outside, Feel Fantastic!
Winter Wonders for Children’s Health Building a snowman outside in the cold air is much better than sitting in a warm room with a cellphone for maintaining a child’s physical and mental health in the wintertime.
that being cold may trigger our immune systems, which means playing outside in the fresh winter air is often better for a child’s body than snuggling up in a warm living room. Getting outside in winter also puts a child’s mind in motion. Although the sight of icicles and one’s breath in winter are old hat for adults, these seasonal events could inspire wonder and curiosity in young people, allowing them to learn new things about the world. Encouraging your child to design and build the ultimate snowman also stimulates their imaginations far more than watching TV indoors. Winter play also helps keep children’s senses sharp when inclement weather disrupts their usual routines like school and sports.
Although most people tend to stay indoors during winter, spending time outside on snowy days can give people of all ages a needed boost. Here are a few interesting facts that show how a winter wonderland can enhance our well-being. The Perks of Outdoor Play Did you know you’re more likely to catch a winter cold if you stay indoors? Although we instinctively huddle in close quarters when temperatures drop, hiding inside makes us more susceptible to germs that thrive in stagnant air. Studies have shown
The Dynamic Benefits of Vitamin D Sunlight is one of nature’s greatest gifts to our health, as it provides us with vitamin D. Getting outside when the sun appears on a winter’s day can do wonders for our mood, as increasing our vitamin D levels reduces anxiety and stress. Instead of letting our kids hide in dark rooms on snow days, let them venture outside and receive one of Mother Nature’s easiest cures for the winter blues!
EARTH’S ETERNAL FLAME
A GLIMPSE INTO A MYSTERY OF NATURE
Visitors to Eternal Flame Falls, a unique, naturally occurring gas flame emanating from the ground near Orchard Park, New York, often describe it with feelings of awe. A natural gas leak from deep in the ground fuels the Eternal Flame, and a waterfall tumbles down from a rock face between hikers and the flame, creating a grotto-like effect
propane in addition to methane. The research team also noted a series of other small gas seeps within the shale layer where the Eternal Flame flare originates. One geologist on the team theorized that the gas might have been produced within the shale by a different process that scientists have not yet identified. In addition to gas combustion, natural eternal flames can be created by peat fires or coal seam fires, ignited by lightning, human activity, or electricity
that draws scores of visitors year-round. Natural gas emissions from the Earth aren’t uncommon; however, the flame that gives Eternal Flame Falls its name is unique in several ways. According to a team of Italian and American geologists who investigated the leak in 2013, the gas is released at a relatively shallow depth of about 1,300 feet underground. The lukewarm shale surrounding its origins is much cooler than the 100-degree Celsius temperatures at the origin point of most naturally occurring flames. Natural gas leaks are usually composed of methane, but the gas fueling New York’s Eternal Flame is a unique blend of 35% ethane and
caused by tectonic stress. Humans often create and maintain eternal flames, too, to commemorate people or events. In the U.S., manmade eternal flames burn at Ground Zero, the site of the 2001 terrorist attacks, and the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. The hike to view New York’s Eternal Flame Falls is a 40-minute round trip. However, the flame is difficult to access in wet seasons when the river swells to a torrent, so check the weather beforehand.
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ONE-POT CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
As I write this, I’m in North Carolina, helping communities still recovering from the devastation of last season’s hurricane Helene. When I saw the storm hit, I knew these communities did not have crane-owning tree companies that could assist them and were unprepared to face the storm. I got in my truck the day of the storm and drove 16 hours until I got there. Signs From the Road Fate Guided Me During Hurricane Cleanup
Ingredients
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2 1/2 lbs skinless, bone-in chicken thighs
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4 medium carrots, chopped
2 bay leaves
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1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried thyme 3 cups uncooked egg noodles (about 8 oz) 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley 1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp pepper 2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 10 cups chicken broth 4 celery ribs, chopped
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Traveling to North Carolina felt like a journey guided by something greater. I had a feeling and calling that there would be a great need for my skills and equipment. Along the way, I experienced moments that seemed more than coincidence — signs that appeared just when I needed them. Whether it was someone showing up at the perfect moment or an intuitive nudge to keep me from making a mistake, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the universe had my back and that I would be a gift to others, too.
Directions 1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. In an 8-quart stockpot over medium-high heat, add oil and chicken and cook until golden brown, 3–4 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside. 2. Add onion to drippings; cook over medium-high heat for 4–5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add broth and bring to a boil. Return chicken to pot. Add celery, carrots, bay leaves, and thyme. Reduce heat and cover; simmer until chicken is tender, 25–30 minutes. 3. Turn off heat. Remove chicken to a plate. Add noodles and let stand, covered, until noodles are tender, 20–22 minutes. 4. Shred chicken meat into bite-size pieces, and return to pot. Stir in parsley and lemon juice, and discard bay leaves. He knew I needed help and I knew he did, too. He stopped and we ended up partnering for several jobs to help the neighborhood. On another job site, we finished the front yard tree and walked around the back to investigate chainsaw noises and came upon a power company crew just as they were finishing their final cut on a huge tree that would have fallen on a garage, crushing it and kicking back the trunk at the men standing near the cut. I instantly realized the situation, and I waved and hollered until they stopped. Then I asked them to let me use my crane and not take the risk, which they must have suspected but not fully known the way I did. Over the next hour and a half, I pieced the tree down safely. They were rushing to remove the tree so they could install a new power pole to restore power to the neighborhood. If I had not been there at that exact moment and made the snap decision to stop their cut, the garage would have been destroyed and one or more men might have been permanently injured. This was not the first and it wouldn’t be the last time events seemed too amazing to be a coincidence.
For example, before one job, I kept feeling like I was forgetting something, but I couldn’t figure out what it was. As I prepared to move wood around a yard, I opened the passenger door of my truck, and my boots tumbled out. That’s when I realized I’d been wearing sneakers — not exactly safe footwear for the work ahead. Sure enough, about an hour later, a log rolled into my foot. I was grateful I had changed into the boots.
On my first day in North Carolina, I found myself working solo, by necessity, to remove a massive oak tree that had crashed into a home. As I worked, there were no cars because the road was blocked by power lines in both directions and then I noticed a pickup truck drive by with a driver in a fluorescent shirt. I raised my hand to wave at the driver, and he waved back and slowed down. In the instant our eyes locked with the wave and a slight head nod, we had “tree guy ESP.”
Moments like these remind me how powerful fate can be. In this storm, many times, the right people crossed paths exactly when needed. Helping these communities has reinforced my belief in signs and guardians that guide us in critical times. –Andrew Bachman CT Arborist S6222
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INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
1 New Year, New Goals: What’s on Your Radar for 2025? 2 Outdoor Play Power-Ups Appreciate the Wonders of Eternal Flame Falls 3 Call It Fate — Stories From My Travels One-Pot Chicken Noodle Soup 4 Help Your Landscape Thrive After Drought Stress
DROUGHT- STRESSED TREES?
Plan Now for a Greener Spring!
Drought stress is challenging for trees. This fall we had nearly two months without rain. But many species have adapted to endure these hardships. Wilting, dieback, and leaf scorch and shedding leaves to conserve moisture are just a few ways trees sustain themselves during tough times. However, some trees can die following a drought.
We believe in giving back; every time we remove a tree, we take pride in replanting a new one.
While the cold months might not seem like an obvious time for tree- related activities, it’s an excellent opportunity to assess the space in your yard, and choose the right tree species for our climate. If you’re ready to enhance your property and make a positive environmental impact, we’re here to help. From delivery and installation to expert advice on tree care, we’re committed to supporting a beautiful landscape. Let’s work together to make our community greener, one tree at a time! Call us or text our new number (860) 798-2897 for the most responsive service. The Morton Arboretum has a great guide to help you pick the right tree! Scan the QR code on this page to check it out!
Spring is the perfect time to renew your landscape by replanting trees to replace those that succumb to drought. This is the season when the soil warms and plants can establish strong roots. At Trout Brook, we specialize in delivering and installing trees to help make our community more lush and beautiful.
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