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May/June 2025 & A rborists
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(860) 888-8472 | (860) 798-2897
A Guide to Diagnosing and Treating Root Rot and Tree Decay SPRING INTO ACTION
As the beautiful colors of spring and early summer return, so do our trees and flowers! Now is a great time to assess the health of our trees and identify and address potential issues like root rot and tree decay. These problems, if unnoticed, can escalate, potentially leading to tree failure during adverse weather conditions. Here’s a checklist to help you spot signs of root rot and tree decay and make sure your trees remain healthy and sturdy. CHECKLIST FOR IDENTIFYING ROOT ROT AND TREE DECAY Bare Branches and Roots • Look for branches that do not bud or leaf out during spring as the rest of the tree rejuvenates. • Examine the roots for lifeless or brittle parts, a potential sign of underlying health issues. Base of the Tree • Check for any soft, spongy spots around the base of the tree, which may indicate rot.
• Bark inclusions or areas where the bark grows inward, trapping moisture and causing internal decay. Discoloration and Unusual Growths • Observe any discoloration or unusual growth patterns on the tree’s bark and leaves. • Look for mushrooms or other fungal bodies growing on the tree, which are often indicators of internal rot. construction, repaving, or the removal of nearby trees, which may have disturbed the trees’ root systems. • Recognize any new exposure to wind or elements from which the tree was previously shielded, which could stress the tree and make it more susceptible to decay. WATER STARVATION INDICATORS Check the uppermost branches for dieback or leaf wilt. These can indicate the tree is not receiving enough water, possibly due to a compromised vascular system. Root damage or a fungal disease originating from the roots could also cause this. PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND WHEN TO CONTACT US Regular Monitoring: Regularly walk around your trees and inspect them for any signs on Changes in the Surrounding Area • Consider recent changes, such as
this checklist. Early detection is crucial for effective treatment. Proactive Care: For trees showing early signs of stress, increase care with adequate watering, mulching, and pruning to reduce wind load. These steps can help strengthen the trees and mitigate the impact of any existing or potential damage. Contacting Trout Brook: If you identify one or more signs from the checklist, give us a
• The presence of fungal growth or
mushrooms at the base can also be a sign of decay.
call or text. We are always here to help address your concerns or needs!
Cracks and Splits • Inspect the tree for cracks or splits, especially at branch junctions. A V-shaped junction is more prone to splitting compared to a U-shaped one.
–Andrew Bachman CT Arborist S6222
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ks
STEP BY STEP Help Your Kids Fall in Love With Hiking
Getting your kids outdoors to enjoy nature is a goal worth pursuing, but smartphones, video games, and social media have made it far more challenging in recent years. We celebrated Earth Day on April 22, and a nature walk is a great way to keep the appreciation for nature going. Planning games, creative projects, and other challenges to engage them during your hike can get kids involved from the start. Choose a trail that isn’t too difficult, and allow your children to wander and explore. If your children have a creative flair, encourage them to collect dried leaves, pieces of bark, seed pods, sticks, and other items to use in a collage. For adventurous kids, you can draft an age-appropriate list for a scavenger hunt to keep them from growing bored on the walk. You can include different insects native to your area, specific colors of leaves, and types of flowers, and you can even have them keep an ear out for different bird calls.
Challenge your kids to make a list of all the plants or animals they can identify while they walk. Apps like Leafsnap help you identify plants using photos of their leaves or other parts. Additionally, the Arbor Day Foundation offers an online step-by-step guide at ArborDay.org for identifying a tree by its leaves. Keep the learning going by having your kids record their distance based on trail signs or a map app on their phones and calculate their average speed. You could also invite your youngsters to become cartographers, tracing the trail and surroundings on paper, including landmarks, rivers, and lakes. Older kids can add topographical information using their phones or an altitude app such as Altimeter or My Altitude. Hiking is a fantastic activity to help your kids appreciate the outdoors rather than their phone screens, but being in nature takes energy. Remember to pack snacks and a water bottle before you leave, or pack a favorite picnic meal to savor the rewards of exploring the outdoors!
Storm Season Is Here: Is Your Home Ready?
CHECK OUT OUR GUTTER CLEANING SERVICES!
Downspout and Runoff Inspection: Our service doesn’t stop at cleaning the gutters. We thoroughly inspect downspouts and runoff chutes to ensure no hidden blockages or issues can impede water flow. This step ensures water can be effectively directed away from your home, preventing pooling and potential damage. Boom Truck Access: For homes with difficult- to-reach gutters, we utilize a boom truck. This allows us to access and clean every corner of your gutter system efficiently and safely, guaranteeing no area is overlooked. If you’re looking to get ahead of the summer storms and ensure your home is protected from the top down, our gutter cleaning services are just a text away. For a free estimate, contact us at (860) 888-8472 or (860) 798-2897. Our experienced team will ensure your gutters and yard are prepared for the warm summer months ahead, giving you peace of mind during the stormy season.
With summer storms churning, proactive homeowners are beginning to pay attention to one crucial aspect of home maintenance: gutter cleaning. Properly functioning gutters are essential to help manage the heavy rains and potential storms that summer can bring. Ensuring your gutters are clean prevents water damage and safeguards your
home’s foundation and landscaping from the destructive power of water. Our Leaf and Gutter Cleaning Process At Trout Brook, we understand the importance of comprehensive gutter maintenance. That’s why we’ve developed a meticulous leaf and gutter cleaning process designed to prepare your home for the rigors of these storms. Leaf Removal: Our process begins at the source of most gutter blockages: leaves and debris around your property. We start by clearing out all leaves from your yard, which helps prevent them from accumulating in your gutters and clogging things up, potentially leading to water overflow and damage during a storm. Gutter Cleaning: Once the leaves are removed, our team uses a combination of handheld blowers, hand tools, and gloves to remove all debris from the gutters themselves. This ensures your gutters are not just visually clean but functional.
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Get ready, West Hartford! Spring will soon transition to summer, and there’s a lot to be excited about! Let’s take a look at a few of the many ways to enjoy the outdoors and connect with our community. Celebrate! West Hartford The annual Celebrate! West Hartford event is coming! Scheduled for June 7–8, this festival draws crowds from all over the state for two days of fun, food, and festivities. You can look forward to over 160 craft and business exhibits, a wide variety of food vendors offering delicious treats, a carnival featuring rides for all ages, and live music performances. It’s a perfect opportunity for families, friends, and neighbors to come together and celebrate our town! Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd Runs Everyone looks forward to the Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS. This event, which takes place the same weekend as Celebrate! West Hartford, welcomes participants from ages 3 to 83-plus, making it a perfect outing for families while supporting a great cause. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Leisure Services Scholarship Fund, aiding children from low-income families in accessing vital programs like swimming lessons and camps. The scenic 5K course starts near the Noah Webster statue on South Main Street and winds through historical areas and the Trout Brook Trail. The Kids’ K offers a fun, non-timed 1K dash around Blue Back Square, and participants 10 and under receive a medal to celebrate their achievement. Outdoor Pools Opening It’s almost that time! The outdoor community pools are scheduled to open on June 20. Whether you’re looking to swim a few laps, play water games, or just hang out and relax by the pool, the community pools are the perfect places to beat the heat and enjoy the summer days. Happy summer! Family Fun in the Sun WEST HARTFORD’S BEST EVENTS FOR ALL AGES
SLOW COOKER SHREDDED BEEF LETTUCE CUPS Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients
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1 boneless beef chuck roast (about 2 lbs) 3 medium carrots, peeled, chopped
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1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce 2 tbsp packed brown sugar
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• • • • • • •
2 tbsp white vinegar 1 garlic clove, minced
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2 medium sweet red peppers, chopped
1/2 tsp pepper 3 tbsp cornstarch
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1 medium onion, chopped 1 8-oz can unsweetened crushed pineapple, undrained
3 tbsp water
24 lettuce leaves for serving
TAKE A BREAK vegetables to a small saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat. 5. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water, stir mixture into juices, and cook 3–4 minutes until sauce is thickened. 6. Return beef, sauce, and vegetables to slow cooker; cook for 10–15 minutes. 7. Serve beef in lettuce leaves. Directions 1. In 4- or 5-quart slow cooker, combine roast, carrots, peppers, and onion. 2. In small bowl, stir together the next 6 ingredients; pour over roast. 3. Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours. Remove roast, let cool slightly, then shred. 4. Skim fat from cooking juices, then transfer juices and
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69 TALCOTT RD. WEST HARTFORD, CT 06110 WWW.TROUTBROOKTREE.COM (860) 888-8472 | (860) 798-2897
SCAN FOR A QUOTE
& A rborists
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
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Grow Strong This Spring/Summer
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Tips for Engaging Your Kids in a Nature Hike From Leaf Removal to Gutter Cleaning, Trout Brook Has You Covered Explore West Hartford’s Summer Activities Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Lettuce Cups
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Introducing Tania, Our New Assistant Operations Manager
A Fresh Face in Trout Brook’s Operations MEET TANIA
At Trout Brook, we take pride in our team members who make everything we do possible. We’re excited to introduce Tania, our assistant operations manager, who joined us last year and has quickly become an integral part of our operations.
It was a bit of fate — Tania found Trout Brook through a recommendation from a friend who worked on our crew. After leaving her previous job, Tania was seeking a role that was both challenging and hands- on. She was intrigued by the opportunity to shift from retail management to something closer to nature. Her background as a store manager equipped her with the skills necessary for managing operations despite the industry switch. Impressed by her initiative and management experience, we were eager to bring her on board. Since joining our team, Tania has embraced her role with a passion for the outdoors and a keen interest in arboriculture. She appreciates the opportunity to learn about trees and plant life. She enjoys our conservation work and the dynamic aspect of her job, including the occasional chance to work directly with the crew on
the ground. No matter the task, she always ensures our operations run smoothly. When she’s not working, Tania is an avid artist and adventurer. She engages in both digital and traditional art and creates everything from business cards to bespoke tattoo designs. Tania often spends her weekends exploring the great outdoors with her miniature poodle, Lucky. Whether hiking up mountains, swimming in rivers, or going on road trips, they always have a great time. Ready for a fun fact about Tania? She also speaks Spanish! We look forward to seeing Tania continue to grow and thrive in her role, and we’re excited for our clients to benefit from her dedication and innovative approach! Tania, we are thrilled you’ve chosen Trout Brook to call home!
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