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November – December 2022 & A rborists
WWW.TROUTBROOKTREE.COM
(860) 888-8472
All Is Merry and Bright This time of year, I always sense a shift in the air. As we gear up for Thanksgiving dinners made up of turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, casseroles, pies, and all of the fixings, there’s a special holiday cheer in everyone’s hearts, and the population as a whole seems happy, generous, cheerful, and excited — the mood is contagious! After all, it’s the season of gratitude, giving, celebrating family, and being merry. It’s also a great time to look back at the year and ahead to 2023. CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAY SEASON “It’s the season of gratitude, giving, celebrating family, and being merry.”
So, as the holidays arrive, reflect on the many blessings you have in your life, celebrate the relationships you hold dear, spend quality time with loved ones, and relish in the joy of the season. We are so fortunate to have shelter, food, clothes, and all of life’s necessities. Sometimes, these important things are easily taken for granted with the hustle and bustle of daily life. Be sure to set aside time for your family, friends, and loved ones, for they are the heart of it all! As a quick reminder, as we enter the dormant season for trees, it’s a great time to have them pruned in preparation for the green of spring to emerge! We offer our best rates December through March and, as always, we are here to assist. Give us a call today at (860) 999-4630 — we are happy and proud to help! This holiday season, I wish all of you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving, a happy Hanukkah, and a merry Christmas! We appreciate each of you and the referrals you send our way — thank you for putting your trust in us!
After another tough period of adjusting to the “new normal” and striving to recover from the pandemic’s impacts, we each have so much to be grateful for. For nearly three years, some of us have gotten sick, faced difficulties in the workplace, lost a loved one, or had plans derailed or altered. At times, we’ve been isolated, and social distancing has damaged our emotional health. Hopefully, this year we can gather for the holidays. After all, the camaraderie of a team and the gift of having people in your corner adds a magical element of cohesiveness and innovation. It’s often said that many hands make light work!
–Andrew Bachman CT Arborist S6222
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Staying Active in Cold Weather COME OUT AND PLAY
Winter is almost here, and as the weather gets colder, many people use it as an excuse to stay inside and on the couch. But if you don’t want to wonder what happened to your fitness goals when spring comes around, now is the time to start preparing. Here’s what you need to know to comfortably enjoy outdoor exercise in low temperatures. First, there’s good news: Your chance of frostbite in 5 degree F weather is less than 5%. So, outdoor exercise is perfectly safe most days of the year. Just stay inside when there’s a particularly nasty wind chill and don’t exercise on icy surfaces. But while you probably won’t be hurt by outdoor winter exercise, there’s no denying it can be unpleasant if you aren’t prepared.
One school of thought suggests there’s no bad weather, only poorly chosen clothing. So, if you want to exercise outdoors in the winter, you must set yourself up for success with the proper gear. Dress in layers and put them on in the correct order. Opt for a moisture-wicking material as your bottom layer, then add a warm insulating layer, followed by a wind and water-resistant jacket on top. Remove items as you get warmer so you don’t trap sweat. Also, remember the wool socks, gloves, and hat. Another way to keep yourself comfortable during an outdoor workout is to warm up longer before beginning. Exercise in cold weather makes strains and sprains more likely, and a warmup will keep you safer. Plus, the additional movement
before heading outdoors will help the temperature change feel less jarring. You’ll want to protect your skin from the harsh air. One of the best ways to do that is by staying hydrated. Though it sounds obvious, many people feel less thirsty when exercising in the cold and don’t drink enough water. Also, moisturize regularly and protect your nostrils and lips from the wind with petroleum jelly or Carmex. Finally, don’t forget the sunscreen — if skiers can get a sunburn, so can you!
As we prepare for winter, cleaning your gutters in autumn before heavy amounts of snow is very important! After all, autumn leaves have fallen, which tend to collect in gutters along with sticks and other debris, leading to a nightmare! What can be done? Let’s ask the experts! Q: Why clean your gutters? Andrew: Over time, water from a clogged gutter causes mold and water damage to the roof, eves, and fascia, which is the board behind the gutters. If water is not channeled away from the house, it ends up next to the foundation and in the basement. The weight of trapped water threatens to bend and twist the gutter. Q: What does the gutter cleaning process look like? Andrew: We clean gutters with a handheld blower and rely upon hand tools and gloves. We guarantee to check all the downspouts and runoff chutes. For hard-to-reach areas, we utilize a boom truck. Fall Gutter Cleaning is $160–$250 for regular-sized homes, depending on style and size. For a free Gutter Cleaning estimate over the phone, text (860) 888-8472. ASK THE EXPERTS Fall Gutter Cleaning
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TAKE A BREAK
Best known for being a primary source of maple syrup and its brightly colored fall foliage, the sugar maple is a popular tree in North America and is certainly a landscape standout. It’s grown as a shade and ornamental tree, and has been a part of the forests for millions of years. An individual tree can live for over 200 years in the woods, or if properly maintained, in the yard. During the spring and summer, its luscious leaves are green, with tiny yellow flowers, but once the fall season rolls around, the leaves transform to colors of burnt orange, deep red, dark yellow, and hues of brown. The tree is so gorgeous that it’s Canada’s national tree , and the leaves serve as Canada’s national emblem on its flag and its coins! The sugar maple tree, at full maturity, can grow to roughly 60-75 feet tall, with a width of anywhere from 40-50 feet. It’s one of the treasures of the Eastern North American hardwood forests. The tallest sugar maple, located in Bethany, West Virginia, is 110 feet tall. Sugar maples can serve as the focal point of your yard while providing shade for your entire house as it develops a dense crown. Even the leaves are large, some reaching about 10 inches in both length and width. There are a few well-liked and well-stocked variations of this gorgeous tree, including Green Mountain Maple, Fall Fiesta, and Apollo. Exploring the Sugar Maple Tree TREE SPOTLIGHT
Apple Cranberry Crisp Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
If you’re feeling old-fashioned, treat yourself to this warm and bubbly dish. Nothing says Thanksgiving quite like a classic apple recipe.
If you’re interested in adding one to your yard, it’s important to research each. However, each variation has the same level of beauty and would make a great addition to your lawn, space providing. For those who harvest maple sap from the trees, February and
Ingredients
• 3 cups peeled and chopped tart apples • 1 1/2 cups cranberries • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, divided • 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour • 1/3 cup butter, cold • Vanilla ice cream (optional)
Directions
March are the best times to do so, just as the hours of sun start getting longer, the tree knows to suck sap up into the crown from its roots. Trees are tapped to gather sap, which is then boiled into syrup for your pancakes, baking, or a delicious treat. One tree can provide enough sap to boil down to a half gallon of maple syrup. Planting a pair of 12-ft sugar maple trees in your yard can be a more valuable investment over time than a gold “maple leaf” coin, because as they grow, they add massive value to the home. Let’s replace the tall shade tree canopy in town. Call us for a quote on planting a sugar maple!
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. In a large bowl, combine apples, cranberries, 1/4 cup brown sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon. 3. Grease an 8-inch baking dish and pour the mixture into it. 4. In a small bowl, mix flour and the remaining brown sugar. Cut in cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle this over the fruit. 5. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If desired, serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
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& A rborists
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
1 Happy Holidays! 2 Getting Outdoors Despite the Cold Fall Gutter Cleaning Q&A 3 Tree Spotlight Apple Cranberry Crisp 4 West Hartford Events WEST HARTFORD EVENTS
Here in West Hartford, it’s the best time of year — the holidays have arrived! To get the festive holiday cheer flowing, round up the family and check out these community gatherings — you won’t want to miss these fun festivities and events! Hopefully, we will see you out there! The Manchester Road Race On Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, the 86th Running of the Manchester Road Race takes place at 10 a.m.! This annual event attracts both runners and spectators for 4.748 miles of fun throughout Manchester’s central streets. Get ready for a great time had by all, whether you walk, run, or cheer the runners on! 35th Annual Holiday Stroll The Annual Holiday Stroll is back at Blue Back Square on Dec. 1 from 5-8
p.m. Be sure to stop by for horse- drawn carriage rides, tree lighting, yummy holiday treats, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, music, caroling, and so much more! It’s a perfect way to ring in the holiday season! Blue Back 5k Mitten Run Get your running shoes ready for a festive family 5k race on Dec. 5 at Blue Back Square! The Mitten Run is a road race that winds through lit-up and decorated neighborhoods and shops in West Hartford! The race begins at 10 a.m. Kids can even participate in a 1/2-mile race or a 1-mile dash! West Hartford Farmers Market Don’t forget that the West Hartford Farmers Market is ongoing and open on Saturdays until Christmas! Stop by the corner of LaSalle and
Arapahoe, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., for fresh ground coffee, fresh mozzarella cheese, and seasonal fruits and veggies, including broccoli, lettuce, herbs, kale, cabbage, apples, grapes, corn, raspberries, plums, and more!
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