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March - April 2023 & A rborists
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(860) 888-8472
Disaster Averted on Auburn Road Like people, trees grow and they die, often in the prime of their life and in dramatic fashion. enough reach for both spruces, and with our superior technology, there was less labor and risk.
When a tree presents an emergency on a property, we don’t panic, we get to work. Here are some tips on shared trees and hazardous neighboring trees: • If at least 10% of the trunk is on your side of the property line, you own exactly 50% of the tree. • A fallen tree is the responsibility of whosever property it falls on, regardless of where it originated .... A windstorm is considered an “act of God,” not an act of man. • However, if you have documented and notified a neighbor about a hazardous tree, your insurance company is in position to pursue a recovery from your neighbor’s insurance in the event of failure. • Preventative pruning, cabling, and removal are the ONLY ways to mitigate storm damage. Don’t wait around for disaster to strike. Proactivity is always better than reactivity. Have your trees inspected for potential complications before it’s too late. Stepping away from the screens to breathe in the freshness of spring, we
Recently, I came across this tree emergency on Auburn Road in West Hartford. On Sunday, Feb. 26, I was driving down Auburn Road at 11 a.m. in plain clothes when I looked up and saw a tree that didn’t look upright. I pulled over and knocked to alert the homeowner. They did not know about the tree and said it was a shared tree along the property line. They said it had not been leaning the last time they saw it, so we walked over to look at the roots and found they were uplifted. Since the roots of the other spruce next to it were also compromised, and we thought it could fail within days, the neighboring homeowners joined in to take action. The jobsite did not have equipment access in front due to retaining walls, steep lawns and a hazardous climb. So I used my new equipment to save time and ensure I could complete the job. The homeowners were appreciative that we could do it the same day. I went back to my shop for our crane equipment and returned the same afternoon to take the tree down with the grapple saw crane and bucket truck, finishing by dark. The trucks just had
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see the sun is out, birds are singing, the ground is thawing, and the trees are starting to bloom their mysterious fragrances. We’ve had a long and DREARY winter, and we all deserve some good news. The good news is that we can help you get your yard into shape with a spring-cleaning and gutter cleaning. The bad news is that your trees went through a wet winter where they were freezing and thawing, and freezing
healthy and stable could be a ticking time bomb if it has cavities where water is collecting. That’s where we come in! Some of our clients have already experienced garage or house damage due to fallen trees — and some of them are STILL waiting on final repairs, years later. Due to supply shortages, and contractor schedules, repairs can take ages to complete. If you have a problematic tree, it’s sometimes better to remove it and start fresh. I always recommend having a nice, shaded yard — but sometimes, the risk isn’t worth the reward. Removing a problematic tree can create more sunlight in your yard for a newly planted tree, and replacing a tree is better than biting your nails when the next windstorm passes through town. With traffic back to a frantic spring pace, and the economy cooling, it’s imperative to control risk where you can. Your home is where you and your family live, relax, and make memories. Get your home ready for spring with a tree assessment and a spring leaf cleaning.
and thawing again. This process, combined with the trees returning to life and sap beginning to flow, lead to an increase of pressure within branch unions. This pressure of frozen water builds up in little rotten cavities and cracks until there is no way to relieve it other than the branch union splitting from the inside out. The next heavy windstorm can split your defective trees. From the outside, you may not know the risk exists unless you have the tree inspected. A tree that appears
Contact us and we will send an arborist out for a visit. Call (860) 888-8472, text, or scan the QR code for an assessment of your trees or spring yard cleanup.
–Andrew Bachman CT Arborist S6222
THE JAPANESE MAPLE: Elegant Treasure of the East
There’s nothing quite like a splash of vibrant red among the green. The Japanese red maple, Acer palmatum, is a small tree with a classic pedigree and a big personality. In the spring and fall, the leaves erupt in colors of the finest reds, making it the jewel of any yard. Introduced to America and England
in the Victorian era of gardening, it has been a popular front yard tree for over 150 years. The Japanese maple prefers partial shade and grows under taller shade trees. If you already have mature trees of different varieties, the Japanese red maple may be an ideal accent to your existing landscape. This type of maple stays relatively small and grows at a slower rate than other maples. The Japanese red maple grows best in slightly acidic, moist, and well-drained soil, perfect for forested New England. The tree requires consistent soil moisture. Should the soil become too dry — then too wet right afterward — the tree will be unable to thrive.
Adding drip irrigation to your landscaping near the maple is one way to keep this tree healthy and happy. Overall, the Japanese red maple is easily maintained. You can prune to a smaller size to fit your landscaping needs, or you can allow it to grow. It can reach anywhere between 25–30 feet in height, with a roughly 30-foot branch spread. By planting this, you will become a parent to an
elegant organism that’s a pleasure to have around.
–Andrew Bachman CT Arborist S6222
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TAKE A BREAK
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago . The second-best time is now.” –Chinese Proverb Each time a client removes a yard tree, I always encourage the homeowner to replant a new one that has the potential to shade the house in the future. I believe it’s our covenant with future generations to replace tall-growing, shady trees. When it comes time to replace your tree, I can share some great storm-resilient, dense wood species that thrive in our New England climate, along with methods to grow and establish these trees in your front yard. Tall-Growing Hardwood Trees 45–80 Feet • Sugar Maple A Comprehensive Tree Planting Guide From the Expert’s Mouth
• American Yellowwood • American Linden Tree • American Elm
• Red Maple • White Oak
I recommend watering 2–3 times a week with a low- flowing hose on the tree for 60–90 seconds. Unlike a sprinkler system, watering by hose gives enough water to go deep and blanket the root-ball. (A regular sprinkler does not go down 12 inches into the ground.) In the second year, continue to water during long sunny days of spring and summer. Sleep, Creep, and Leap I like to say the tree “sleeps” the first year after planting. Then the second year it “creeps.” And in the third year it “leaps” in growth. Sleep, creep, and leap. A small potted tree will actually outgrow a larger one in height and width in a few years. Root damage from transplant is harmful, and keeping an intact root system during transplant is so important that a 15-foot tree will be outgrown by a 5-foot tree of the same species within a few years’ time. Pruning to ‘Train’ Future Growth Finally, in years 3-5, when that tree is “leaping” in growth, I recommend a “structural pruning.” Structural pruning is done by removing the first two lower branches and reducing the upper side branches that try to compete with the central leader. This kind of pruning prevents heavy-weighted outward- growing branches, which can burden the tree later in life and cause storm damage. You want your tree to grow straighter and stronger like it would when reaching for light in the forest. Take care of your trees and they will take care of you and your property for years to come. Happy planting!
Smaller Trees 15–25 Feet • Kousa Dogwood • Flowering Crabapple
• Japanese Stewartia • “Saucer” Magnolia
Tree Planting and Nurturing Tips Planting and establishing a tree takes two years, with the tree needing consistent weekly watering. To Plant a Tree The new tree needs a hole deep enough to sit the tree level with the ground so its trunk flare is above the surrounding soil, not buried below. The hole also needs to be about twice the width of the root ball of the new tree. If the hole is too deep the first time, just backfill the bottom with some loose soil so the flare of the tree sits even with the ground. The trunk of the tree does not like to be buried in the soil, as it can rot. Speaking of trunk damage, the next major thing we have to protect against is weed whacker and lawn mower damage. This is done by making a small mulched area (roughly 3–4 feet in diameter) around the tree so no grass can grow against the trunk. Why Watering Matters, Even if It Rains After planting a tree in your yard, there is a two-year period when the tree will try to regrow feeder roots to ensure it can absorb enough water. When a tree is cut into a ball in the field, it loses up to 90% of its feeder root structure with which it gathers water. It then takes two years for the tree to reestablish this “close-to-the-surface” fibrous root system, and the tree will need hand watering during this time.
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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 Early Tree Inspections Prevent Further Damage 2 The Japanese Maple 3 Professional Tree Planting Guide 4 Don’t Miss These 3 Fun Events
THE BUZZ AROUND TOWN
3 Events You Won’t Want to Miss
With spring in the air and some important and fun holidays on the horizon, we all have the itch to get outdoors and embrace the sunshine and the blooming trees and flowers. Here are some exciting events to enjoy with your family and friends — don’t forget to mark your calendars. Pratt Nature Easter Egg Hunt Chocolate bunnies, Peeps, jelly beans, oh my! It’s time to get in the Easter spirit. On Saturday, March 25, at Pratt Nature Center, neurodiverse children of all ages are welcome to join the Pratt Nature Sensory Easter
Egg Hunt. All eggs will be filled with fun treats. Because space is limited, be sure to get registered early by
emailing Info@prattcenter.org Johnny’s Jog for Charity 5K
Lace up your running shoes, wear your green, and be sure to stretch your legs because, on March 26, the annual Johnny’s Jog for Charity 5K is happening in Blue Back Square. The run is St. Patrick’s Day themed and aims to support nonprofit children’s organizations, including Friends of Feeney, the Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation, the Miracle League of Connecticut, and Covenant Preparatory School of Hartford. The run will feature games, entertainment, food, and beverages at the finish line. Online registration closes the day before, so be sure to jump online and sign up. Women’s Craft Celebration Do you enjoy fine arts and crafts? On Sunday, March 26, head on out to the Pond House Cafe in Elizabeth Park for a huge array of handcrafted goods. Whether you’re interested in browsing or buying, you’ll have a great time exploring glass, pottery, jewelry, clothing, accessories, and more at the Women’s Craft Celebration.
Johnny’s Jog Taking Place March 26, 2023, in West Hartford Center
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