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Where the Wild Things Grow Having lived in Connecticut for over 30 years, I’ve cultivated a deep appreciation for the local natural world and a deep understanding of the organisms that inhabit it. I grew up fishing and playing outdoors, gathering with neighborhood friends to play street basketball, and seeking out adventure as a Boy Scout. My love of Education plays a huge role in what we do. From sharing my knowledge with my team to sharing knowledge with our clients, I want to share what I know for the betterment of each individual and the community as a whole. I love this area, and I want to do my part in helping it flourish.
Passion, Dedication, and a Love of the Outdoors
grandmother had in her backyard. There’s not much better than enjoying your own backyard, and the right trees and plants will create an environment you can call home. While I studied science, I didn’t discover horticulture until later in life. I was a good student in chemistry and biology, but neither of those subjects went into the small details of the associations that make life possible in soil or how organisms interact in conjunction with creating a landscape. It wasn’t until I discovered horticulture that I started to understand all how these relationships at work. I’ve worked with many master gardeners, and before I studied horticulture, they often knew more about plants than I did. Wanting to step up my game, I bought a lot of books and sought out the best courses that the University of Massachusetts —my guiding light on horticulture — had to offer. Since then, horticulture has become a part of my identity. When I step into a garden or yard, it’s like detective work. I love the landscaping puzzle — figuring out why this tree is healthy and why another is suffering. I love working with our clients to help their landscape flourish, from soil to treetop. It’s all connected. –Andrew Bachman
learning and my desire for challenge motivated me to become an Eagle Scout. I enjoyed the hard work it took to get to that level. Thanks to these group activities, I learned the importance of teamwork at an early age. That has carried over into Trout Brook Landscaping. Our team works together to carry out each job safely and provide the best for our clients. I strive to lead by example, encouraging a culture of safety, passion for our biological systems, and dedication to the task at hand.
I love being outdoors, and landscaping has turned out to be the perfect career for me. To me, the natural landscape of a home contributes to the enjoyment of life. When people ask me for advice about what to plant, I tell them to think about their perfect day. Through landscaping, we can connect someone to that experience, and even to their treasured memories. It’s the shrub that brings someone back to childhood summers spent swimming in the river, or to the tree their
WE ARE STARTING TREE PLANTING AND GARDEN INSTALLATIONS FOR THE SUMMER! CALL TODAY FOR PLANT RECOMMENDATIONS AND DESIGN CONSULTATIONS
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3 WAYS CONTACT WITH NATURE IMPROVES YOUR HEALTH AWalk in the Woods Is the Prescription
A CALMING EFFECT Research also shows that spending time in nature reduces stress. In a study conducted by Chiba University in Japan, participants spent two nights in the forest. Researchers evaluated their levels of stress hormones during and after this period and compared it to their normal work days in the city. Across the board, participants’ stress levels were much lower during the days spent in the forest and for several days afterward. Today, we’re less connected to our natural environment than our ancestors were. Modern comforts and technology mean we don’t have to go outside to get our food. But nature is still accessible and you don’t have to go far to find it. In many of the studies, even minor exposure to the outdoors, like adding plants to your home or looking out a window during work, showed health benefits. This spring, find ways to bring a little more nature into your life each day. Your brain will thank you.
respect for Andrew’s approach to landscaping — and Andrew’s admiration of Ian’s take-charge attitude —made it a mutually beneficial reunion. As Ian says, “The rest is history.” Ian brought his experience in customer service and love of the outdoors to Trout Brook, and his role appeals to his adaptable nature. He enjoys the variety of tasks he gets to tackle at Trout Brook, from helping customers on the phone and in person to leading a crew in the field. “It’s a lot of communication,” he says. “It’s fun to call up customers. They’re who we’ve developed real relationships with.” Of the team at Trout Brook, Ian speaks to the importance of teamwork and working together to get the job done. “We get along well,” he says. Working for a small company means “the sky’s the limit,” Ian says, and he enjoys being part of the many projects he helps manage. He’s excited to be part of Trout Brook’s growth by delivering involved repeating numbers back to researchers. Next, researchers separated the students into two groups. Group A took a walk around an arboretum and Group B walked along busy city streets. Afterward, they were asked to take the memory test again. Group A, the students who had walked in the arboretum, performed 20 percent better on the memory test. Group B didn’t show any marked improvement. Additional research has corroborated the memory-enhancing effects of nature. function, scientists wondered what effects it might have on individuals diagnosed with depression. In one study from the University of Essex, participants with major depressive disorder reported an improvement in self- esteem and mood after spending time in nature. Exercising while in nature resulted in even more of a mood boost for participants. A MOOD BOOST Observing the benefits nature has for cognitive
It’s challenging to describe everything that Ian Fay does for Trout Brook Landscaping in one sentence. Suffice it to say that this double foreman, customer service expert, mediator, and HR advisor wears many hats. There’s not really a “typical day” in Ian’s world; he just jumps in to help wherever he’s needed. “On any given day, it can be field work, landscaping — anything. From taking leaves away and working with plants and garden beds to snow removal, or, depending on the season, calling up customers about snow removal or tree maintenance, I do a lot,” Ian says. He’s ready to tackle it all. As friend and boss Andrew says, “Ian is as close to the real thing as you can get. He’s a fit and fearless tree guy, equipment operator, and truck driver — or bucket truck operator when needed.” Our ancestors were deeply connected to their natural environment, mostly because their survival depended on it. With no Whole Foods available, those who could best track a mammoth, find water, and forage for edible plants kept themselves alive and passed on their genes. Given our history as hunter-gatherers, it’s no wonder contact with nature provides us with several health benefits. A MEMORY BOOST In a University of Michigan study, a group of students were asked to take a memory test that
Jumping In to Help Wherever He’s Needed IAN TACKLES IT ALL
consistently great service to our customers and consistently great support to our team. Thanks for everything you do for our customers and for our team, Ian!
Ian and Andrew actually went to school together, and after reconnecting through a friend, Ian’s
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TAKE A BREAK
Sturdy, enduring, stunning — these are a few of the characteristics that define the white oak tree (scientific name Quercus alba). Before losing its leaves in early winter, this deciduous member of the beech and oak families gives a vibrant display of red and burgundy colors. The white oak is known for its sturdy branches, which can sometimes grow up to 130 feet, providing shade to homes and neighborhoods. White oaks do best in full sun and well-drained soil. They can withstand drought but are intolerant of alkaline soils. During late summer, the trees produce inch-sized acorns that ripen and drop in the fall. The trees may attract game and migratory birds as well as small rodents. In the fall, this oak’s obovate, lobed leaves transition into the stunning warm colors we’ve come to associate with the season. In addition to being a preferred wood for boat building, with ships such as the USS Constitution and many World War II patrol boats having been fashioned from it, white oak is also prized for wine and distillery barrel making. This is thanks to a cell feature called tyloses, microscopic tissues that help make the wood particularly good at sealing off liquids. Throughout New England and the East Coast, white oaks have stood for hundreds of years. Some, like the Bedford Oak in New York, are estimated to be more than 500 years old, having been around since before the Revolutionary War. In the ‘70s, the grassroots efforts of one passionate citizen prevented the removal of the Bedford Oak, and it still stands tall and proud as a featured attraction of the Bedford Historical Society. At Trout Brook Landscaping, we help you with every aspect of tree care, from selecting the perfect tree for your yard to helping you maintain it for a lifetime. We plant trees up to 10 years old and 20 feet tall. With our experienced team, we’ll get you a quick estimate and deliver quality service. If you are interested in a tree for your yard or caring for one that’s already there, give us a call. THE LEGACY OF THE WHITE OAK STANDING TALL THROUGH THE YEARS
Shrimp Sausage Skewers
Inspired by PaleoLeap.com
Ingredients
Creole Seasoning Ingredients • 2 tablespoons paprika • 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder • 1/2 tablespoon onion powder • 1/2 tablespoon cayenne or chili powder • 1/4 tablespoon dried oregano • 1/4 tablespoon dried thyme
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1/2 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined 1/2 pound cooked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces
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2 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
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2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
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Directions
4. Add creole seasoning and mix well until all
1. Heat your grill to medium-high. 2. In a bowl, combine all ingredients for creole seasoning. 3. In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, zucchini pieces, and sausage pieces, and cover them with the olive oil.
ingredients are covered.
5. Load up skewers with alternating pieces of shrimp, sausage, and zucchini until they’re full. 6. Grill skewers until shrimp are well-cooked (6–8 minutes).
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
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INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
1 2
Getting to the Root of the Matter
3 Ways Nature Improves Your Health
Meet Our Great Team
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Plant Profile: The White Oak
Shrimp Sausage Skewers
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Black Gold
BLACK GOLD FOR YOUR GARDEN SOIL
NATIONAL LEARN ABOUT COMPOSTING DAY!
stabilize gardening soil, keep the soil from contracting diseases, and help the ground retain moisture.
Most people have heard of composting one way or another. Your mom might have kept a bin in the backyard for overripe Halloween pumpkins, yard clippings, and egg shells. You might even have a coworker who boasts about the giant compost pile they use to fertilize their garden and lawn. Whatever your level of composting knowledge may be, there is always more to learn about this popular and extremely beneficial method for handling organic food waste. Luckily, May 29 is National Learn About Composting Day! This day provides a great opportunity to introduce yourself to and begin the conversation about composting if you haven’t already. Below are a few answers to your basic composting questions to get you started.
WHY DO WE COMPOST? Besides giving gardens and lawns significant nutrients, composting also reduces landfills. According to the United States EPA, “Food scraps and yard waste together currently make up about 30 percent of what we throw away.” Organic material often takes longer to decompose in a landfill due to being wrapped in plastic. The more organic material that is composted, the quicker it can deteriorate. LEARN ABOUT COMPOSTING DAY The best way to recognize this holiday is to learn as much as you can about composting. When you dive in, you’ll discover you can compost materials you never knew you could, including latex balloons and cardboard egg cartons. Once you do your research, you can start your very own compost by dedicating a part of your backyard to disposing of organic matter or by purchasing a compost bin. This article covers the basics of composting, but there’s still plenty more to learn! Head to your local farmers market or botanical garden and talk to the experts about any questions you have — they’ll be sure to give you some great tips.
WHAT IS COMPOST? Compost is decomposed organic matter, which is
especially good for people who have gardens or aspire to live a sustainable lifestyle. People put coffee grounds; vegetable scraps; paper products, including receipts, paper towels, and tissues; and wood chips, leaves, and other types of waste that are not categorized as processed food, meats, or fish products in their compost bin. Compost can
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