Check out our combined December 2021 & January 2022 newsletter!
December 2021 — January 2022 & A rborists
WWW.TROUTBROOKTREE.COM
(860) 888-8472
The Year Ahead
As the new year approaches, we reflect on lessons learned from the past year — all of the positive memories as well as where we came from, the struggles along the way, and the grace of family, friends and strangers. You tried to do the right thing in 2021 and be kind to others. You’ve been patient, knowledgeable, and responsible. This year, I challenge you to pretend you are Warren Buffett or Mark Cuban and ask yourself this: What can I invest in, acquire, or go into partnership with to better streamline my life and improve “cash flow”? What is a move I can make toward my goals to make things significantly easier?
Many of you have watched this business grow since 2010. From a lawn mower hanging out of the trunk of my Saturn Ion (so that the cop could not see the brake lights) to a fleet of new trucks doing emergency response across the state, I am grateful that you’ve seen us through. You, our clients, have taught us how to do business at a high level. In the last decade, we’ve learned more from you than any business seminar. And because of that, we are realizing the vision of a high growth company with high tech innovation right here in a small state, “the land of steady habits.” Everything is on track. Our team is competent, plant-literate, and easy to talk with, which is what clients deserve if we are pruning your 100-year-old oak tree. The work we do is an investment in your time and the stewardship of your trees. As a thank-you to our clients, this new year, I’m offering you a 10% discount on all tree pruning quotes and also our day rates for tree removal from Dec. 1 to March 1 . If you already have a quote from 2021, it qualifies for the discount. You will be happy you got it done when you could save money and put more toward the your other investments! Call us at (860) 888-8472 or email us at TroutBrookTree@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Maybe you have a professional skill you want to learn. Maybe there’s an appliance that would give you back your time and money. Maybe setting up a home office or a vacation home office will improve your life. A serious shift in exercise and nutrition can put you in a higher energy, more resilience state. With big transitions comes big uncertainty, but you can trust it will all work out if you have strategy and confidence behind your investment.
–Andrew Bachman CT Arborist S6222
WWW.TROUTBROOKTREE.COM | 1
WITH AND WITHOUT SNOW! How to Make the Perfect Snowball
If you live in a snowy climate, you’ve likely made at least one snowball — but how good was your technique? It turns out the process of snowball-making is more complicated than grabbing a handful of powder and squeezing it. To understand the nuance, Popular Science asked both a NASA astrochemist and a director from Montana State’s Snow and Avalanche Laboratory to weigh in. According to the astrochemist, a truly perfect snowball would need to be made in a lab or outer space. Those are the only places where you can achieve pressure high enough to melt the snow and refreeze to make a “meniscus” (aka “snowball glue”) throughout the ball. But if you don’t have a private lab or rocket ship, here’s the next best thing. 3 STEPS TO SNOWBALL PERFECTION 1. Test the snow for “free water.” Your snow can’t be too soggy
or too dry. You want what The International Classification for Seasonal Snow on the Ground calls “wet” snow, which is 3%–8% water by volume. To see if your snow is worthy, try the squeeze test. If it sticks together when you squeeze it without gushing water, you’re set! 2. Keep your gloves on . There’s no need to go gloveless if your snow passed the squeeze test. You may be tempted to try turning dry snow into wet snow with your body heat, but ignore the urge — at best you’ll create a fragile snowball with only a thin shell of snowball glue. 3. Crank up the pressure. The tighter you squeeze your snowball, the better it will be! At the annual Japanese snowball fight Yukigassen, players use molds to make extra- tight snowballs. You can buy one on Amazon for under $10.
THE SNOWBALL YOU CAN DRINK
If your backyard is snowless, we have good news: You can still make snowballs — the drinkable kind! The Snowball is a classic Christmas cocktail named for the dome of froth that appears when you stir it. It’s made by mixing one part lime cordial and two parts Warninks Advocaat Liqueur with ice, then straining the mixture and adding six parts lemonade. For more details and snowball trivia, visit GoodHousekeeping.com.
MEET YOUR NEW FAVORITE WINTER SPORT SNOWSHOEING IS A FUN, EASY OPTION FOR ALL AGES
When celebrities jet off to Aspen, Colorado, for their winter vacations, they might not all be going to ski. According to Forbes, Aspen is also a top snowshoeing destination — and that’s a sport that celebrities and ordinary people of all ages can enjoy. Snowshoeing is a simple activity that dates back at least 6,000 years. It involves strapping large flipper-like attachments called snowshoes to your boots. The attachments distribute your weight and let you walk over banks of powder without sinking. You can use them to navigate flat plains, rolling hills, or steep mountains depending on the type of shoe you invest in. On top of its unique history, these three major perks to snowshoeing just might make it your favorite winter sport.
snowboarding, snowshoeing is safe and relatively easy for folks of all ages. Some outdoorsmen and women snowshoe into their 70s and beyond, so a snowshoe outing is a great way for grandparents and grandkids to bond while getting some aerobics in. 2. Speaking of aerobics, snowshoeing is also a great workout. When you strap on your snowshoes, you can burn up to 50% more calories than you would while hiking (depending on your pace and the type of terrain). Athletes who want to really amp up the exercise can even invest in jogging snowshoes! 3. Last but not least, snowshoeing is scenic! When you’re whizzing down a mountain on a snowboard or skis, you don’t have time to take in the view. But on snowshoes, you can soak up all of the winter beauty around you. You can even bring
your camera along on your trek to capture pictures of any flora and fauna you see. If you want to try snowshoeing this winter, make sure you start with an easy trail and consult your doctor and/or physical therapist before you go. Always bring along a backpack of emergency supplies like a blanket and first aid kit, too, and consider purchasing or renting hiking poles along with your snowshoes to boost your stability. For more insider tips, visit SnowshoeMag.com.
1. If you can walk, you can
snowshoe! Unlike other energy- intensive sports like skiing and
2 | (860) 888-8472
TAKE A BREAK
Spotlight on Rick GETTING TO KNOW RICK CALDWELL
If you are lucky enough to have met our foreman and lead arborist here at Trout Brook Landscaping, Rick Caldwell, you are already acquainted with his charm, infectious laugh, and dedication. Rick’s knowledge, experience, and degree in horticulture give him a uniquely creative yet careful approach to everything
from landscaping design to pruning. His multiple professional endorsements, training, and continuing education in the use
of state-of-the-art tree care equipment and heavy machinery also make him and his team at Trout Brook Landscaping expert at hazardous tree removal and emergency storm mitigation. Rick is a long time CT resident with deep ties to the tree care industry in the central CT River Valley. An Army veteran, Rick has spent nearly 25 years perfecting and mastering his trade. On the West Coast, training in the Seattle, WA, area for a decade, he developed and nurtured both his professional skills as well as his abiding appreciation of the natural world. He enjoys his role running a small but highly skilled crew of technical tree care professionals at Trout Brook Landscaping in West Hartford, CT. “Working for Andrew has only strengthened my commitment to providing superior quality, value, and integrity in tree care.” Even in his free time at home, Rick is an avid gardener and horticulturalist. He enjoys hiking local trails, kayaking, and beachcombing with his wife and dog. In the winter off-season, he can often be found in his workshop, crafting anything from custom knife handles and charcuterie boards to sculptures, utensils, and whimsical walking sticks. He often repurposes scrap wood from jobs for his woodworking projects. Thank you Rick, we appreciate your hard work, positive attitude, and dedication to mentoring those new to the industry!
Want to enjoy the decadence of the holiday season without adding too much to your waistline? Swap red meat for fish and serve this delicious, easy dish. Ingredients Crispy Fish With Brown Butter Sauce Inspired by BonAppetit.com
• 1 tbsp olive oil • 4 5-oz Chilean sea bass or salmon fillets, skin-on • Salt and pepper, to taste • 6 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1/2 cup blanched
hazelnuts, chopped
• 2 tsp lemon juice • Lemon wedges, for garnish
Directions
1. In an unheated skillet, add oil. Season fish with salt and pepper, then add to skillet (skin-down). 2. Heat the skillet to medium and cook for 4 minutes. With a spatula, press each fillet down, rotating between fillets every few seconds. When the skin begins to crisp, stop pressing and cook 8–10 minutes, then flip and cook for another minute. Remove the fish. 3. Wipe the skillet clean and return to medium heat. Add the butter and hazelnuts. Heat, swirling continuously, until butter foams and browns. Remove from heat. 4. Stir in lemon juice and season to taste. Pour over fish, garnish, and serve with salad.
WWW.TROUTBROOKTREE.COM | 3
PRSRT FIRST-CLASS MAIL US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
69 TALCOTT RD. WEST HARTFORD, CT 06110 WWW.TROUTBROOKTREE.COM (860) 888-8472
& A rborists
DECEMBER - JANUARY
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
1 Lessons Learned 2 Make the Perfect Snowball in 3 Steps Meet Your New Favorite Winter Sport 3 Spotlight on Rick Crispy Fish With Brown Butter Sauce 4 Snowblowers 101
Which Snowblowers Are a Good Investment? SNOWBLOWERS 101
Ariens Deluxe
Heading into winter, sometimes the snow can be so bad that I’m unable to visit your property with my snowblower for a few days. So, when thinking about investing in your own snowblower at home, you might ask: Where do you get one? Which one should you buy? How do you mix the oil with the gas? Well, I’m here to help with some tips and recommendations. The two that I’ll recommend are series capable of commercial use or homeowner use, but you can buy the homeowner’s edition for them at the dealer: either at Year Round Power
Equipment or Home Butler Equipment, both on New Park Avenue and South Street in Elmwood Industrial Section in West Hartford. MY RECOMMENDATIONS: Toro 600 Series Single Stage Snowblower
•
Choice of mid-grade or heavy-duty
•
Bigger snowblower if you have a longer driveway or are worried about longer storms
•
Handles snow up to 2.5 feet
• Two-stage snowblower
•
Rubber paddle blower
•
RapidTrak maintains traction
•
Gas-powered (no worrying about mixing gas and oil)
•
LED headlights to ensure visibility
•
Easy start options
•
Electric start
•
Can easily tackle 12–14 inches of snow
•
Auto-turn steering
•
Durable and strong
Both snowblowers are fabulous options to get the job done. They are a bit pricier but certainly worth every penny. If you have any questions, I am always here to help! Feel free to reach out, and happy plowing!
•
Weighs 65 pounds, making it very transportable Easy to control how fast or slow you want to go with personal pace
•
4 | (860) 888-8472
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator