OCTOBER 2021 & A rborists
WWW.TROUTBROOKTREE.COM
(860) 888-8472
Crane-Assisted Tree Removal This year I realized, in a lightbulb moment, that we are at a turning point of tree decline, consistent with aging of the town canopy and
an anomalous series of storms. The tall trees in West Hartford, which people planted when first building the houses, have lived through decades of storms and road construction, and are now nearing their end. Never before has there been such a high need for turnover of our mature trees. When various contractors built the suburbs from the late 1920s through the 1950s, they chose shade trees for fast growth. Unfortunately, fast growing species also means weaker wood in old age. As an arborist, I always focus on addressing and eliminating the primary health problems of a tree, not the secondary infestation or disease. Years of root disturbance, wind damage, and overfertilizing the lawn areas set up a weak condition in trees ... If the underlying conditions are the main problem, that means that insect infestation and tree diseases, like viruses and funguses, are the secondary problem that shows up later in response. If we fix the primary problem, then the secondary problem goes away.
As many of you know, at Trout Brook, we like to educate our clients about courses of treatment which can prolong tree life. The strongest course of treatment for invasive insects in a tree is injection with a well-known pesticide called emamectin benzoate (a close cousin of the antibiotic, Ivermectin) and Agri-Fos (commonly used for fungal disease) — this is a nutrient cocktail that acts like a steroid for the tree’s immune system. Although we’ve been recommending this combined course of treatment (emamectin benzoate and Agri-Fos) for eight years now, we encourage
However, some tree diseases and insects can kill even healthy trees. Invasive species can spread around the world quickly and devastate forests in this age of world travel. Some prevalent invasive tree killers in Connecticut are: 1) Chinese emerald ash borer, which attacks healthy ash trees; 2) beech bark canker, a deadly fungus which spreads on the body of a beetle from beech tree to tree; 3) Chinese gypsy moth which defoliates oak and maple forests, and 4) Dutch elm disease, a fungus spread on the body of a beetle that kills elms (almost all trees affected are over 40 years old).
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A HISTORICAL LOOK AT THIS WACKY FALL TRADITION Corn Mazes Date Back to Ancient Greece?
Exploring a corn maze is a great way to get outside and enjoy the fall season with friends and family — but who came up with the idea of wandering around a corn field for fun? As it turns out, outdoor mazes are an ancient tradition, and the American corn maze of the ‘90s sprouted from the mazes of 17th- century European gardens. Don’t believe it? Here’s a quick tour of corn maze history. The Minotaur and the Maze Have you heard of Theseus and the Minotaur? This ancient Greek legend tells the story of the hero Theseus, who ventured into an elaborate maze to kill the half-man, half-bull imprisoned there. The monstrous Minotaur was known to eat heroes, and the labyrinth was known to trap them, but Theseus managed to slay
the Minotaur and find his way home with the help of a string that he unspooled as he walked. This story isn’t the first recorded example of a maze or labyrinth — according to the World History encyclopedia, “[L]abyrinths and labyrinthine symbols have been dated to the Neolithic Age in regions as diverse as modern-day Turkey, Ireland, Greece, and India, among others” — but it’s perhaps the most famous ancient tale. If you’ve ever navigated a Halloween corn maze staffed by ghouls and ghosts, you can see the parallels! Garden Art to Get Lost In Mazes formed from bushes began popping up European gardens in the 17th century. They were a popular artistic feature of upper-
class gardens in England, more for looking at than solving. One famous example is the half-mile-long Hampton Maze, which was planted in 1690 and still stands today. The Corn Maze: An American Invention Garden mazes eventually hopped the pond to America but didn’t become interactive puzzles until Don Frantz, Creative Director of the American Maze Company, came on the scene. In 1993, Frantz created the “first ever cornfield maze for private and public entertainment” to attract college kids in Pennsylvania. Today, every small-town corn maze is a descendant of his “Amazing Maize Maze.” To learn more about that wacky history, visit AmericanMaze.com.
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you do your own research on these effective products. While we don’t do treatment application ourselves, we do have a good referral company. Treatments can help trees stay pest free, and pruning can prolong the stability of a tree. But in the case of a damaged or decayed tree near a house, removal can be the best choice. For tree removals, we use a tall bucket truck, spider lift, or crane to assist with lifting pieces out of the tree. Using specialized equipment increases speed and builds the skill sets of the workers. So, when you see our guys out there in the yellow shirts, you can be sure they are
committed to working as safely and efficiently as possible. When you hire a local arborist, you’ll benefit from the knowledge and good-faith effort to preserve trees if possible. We’re invested in this community, and we want to see the trees survive or be replaced.
In addition to crane-assisted tree service, we also do fall gutter cleaning, leaf cleanup, and a
limited snow blowing route. We get numerous late calls in November for yard cleanup, gutter cleanings, and snow removal, but services are limited. We want to make sure all of our customers are taken care of, which is why we stress the importance of booking in advance, and scheduling us for two clean-ups. Don’t wait until the last minute. Give us a call or an email today — and be ready for tomorrow.
We are always here for your questions and estimates. Email us at TroutBrookTree@gmail.com or call or text us at (860) 888-8472.
–Andrew Bachman (860) 888-8472
Sincerely,
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Bastion and Beauty of America’s Frontier The Live Oak Tree: TAKE A BREAK
Live oaks, the state trees of Georgia, are iconic for their large branches, which bear beautiful green foliage and Spanish moss. Although live oak trees are not native to New England, the tree carries an important history and purpose in North America. Native along the coast from Virginia to Florida, and as far west as Oklahoma and Texas, live oak trees are members of the beech family. They can grow to be anywhere from 65–85 feet tall and weigh in at 55 pounds per cubic foot when air dried. This makes live oak the heaviest American hardwood. The leaves of live oak trees are evergreen and stay on the trees until new ones replace them. The live oak tree serves as the backbone of its ecosystem, providing both shade and a habitat for many living things, including birds, insects, and mammals. The tree produces acorns, which feeds many mammals, insects, and birds as well. Live oaks symbolize strength, safety, and resilience in the United States. For early Americans, the tree provided shade and shelter, and their strong and dense timber was used to build many things, including ships. In fact, it was so popular to craft wooden vessels with that the Navy had its own live oak forest at one point. Live oak lumber was utilized to construct the USS Constitution. The ship was so strong, thanks to the live oak wood, that it was nicknamed “Old Ironsides.” The Native Americans even used to extract oil from the acorns and utilized it (similar to the way that we use olive oil today). They are truly majestic trees with a history deeply rooted in our cultural and ecological heritage. Having been around for many years, live oaks have seen a lot and certainly will be around for many more years to come, providing shade, beauty, and durable lumber.
One-Pan Veggies and Chicken
Inspired by Tasty.co
What’s better than a healthy, seasonal dinner? How about one that requires minimal effort, too? Ingredients
• 1 sweet potato, cubed
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 apples, sliced
• 1 tbsp rosemary
• 4 chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp thyme
• 4 tbsp olive oil
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
2. On a baking sheet, add potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and apples. Layer chicken thighs on top. 3. Drizzle with olive oil. Then season with salt, pepper, garlic, rosemary, and thyme. 4. Turn chicken over and add seasoning to the back side. Return skin-side up before baking. 5. Bake for 30 minutes, and broil for 5–10 minutes afterward.
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69 TALCOTT RD. WEST HARTFORD, CT 06110 WWW.TROUTBROOKTREE.COM (860) 888-8472
OCTOBER 2021 & A rborists
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
1 Crane-Assisted Tree Removal 2 Corn Mazes Date Back to Ancient Greece? 3 Live Oak Tree History One-Pan Veggies and Chicken 4 Hiking the White Mountains
Hiking New Hampshire’s White Mountains A Change of Altitude
The White Mountains of New Hampshire, part of the northern Appalachians, cover about a quarter of the state and even creep into Maine a bit. They are considered to be the most rugged mountains in New England and offer an incredible exploration and hiking experience. There are many places to pull over while driving through to snap some breathtaking photos and catch some beautiful views. However, if hiking is more of your style, the White Mountains offer many challenging hiking trails, perfect for seasoned hikers. Even experienced hikers find the Huntington Ravine Trail difficult, which makes sense because it is considered to be the most difficult trail in the White Mountains. The trail spans 2.4 miles with 2,700 feet of elevation gain. The hike is on the eastern face of Mount Washington and climbs up the headwall of the ravine, which is a steep, bowl-shaped valley. The first mile of the hike is relatively light, but once you get to the second mile, the elevation becomes incredibly steep. The Tuckerman Ravine Trail spans 4.2 miles and has an elevation gain of 4,250 feet. It is considered to be the most popular way to explore Mount Washington. What makes this trail unique is that the last section features a
field of boulders that you must navigate your way through (which amps up the difficulty level). On the north side of Mount Washington, the Great Gulf Trail is 7.9 miles long and ascends 5,000 feet. At the end of this hike, you’re faced with a 1,700- foot climb up a mile long avalanche slide. If visibility
is low at the time of your hike, it can be both difficult and dangerous to hike. The elevation is so high that snow tends to linger in this area through July, so safe hiking times can be tough to pinpoint. Hiking opens up a brand-new terrain and can boost your mood, confidence, and sense of accomplishment. While these hiking trails are rigorous and only for the experts, there are many hikes throughout the White Mountains that are much more relaxed and just as beautiful. As always, be careful when hiking — safety is the priority.
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