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November/December 2024 & A rborists
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(860) 888-8472
THANKSGIVING IN WEST HARTFORD Turkey, Traditions, and a Thriving Community
It’s that time of year again — Thanksgiving is here, a time for family, gratitude, and gathering around a table filled with favorite holiday foods! It’s a chance to pause in our busy lives, reflect on what we’re thankful for, and share the warmth of the season with loved ones. From the smell of roasting turkey to happiness shared with loved ones, Thanksgiving is about creating memories and cherishing the relationships that matter most. This holiday is about more than stuffing ourselves with mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie (although that’s a highlight!) — it’s also about practicing gratitude and appreciating the big and small things in our lives. For many, that means being thankful for health, family, friends, and community. And speaking of community, a special kind of gratitude comes from seeing your own town thrive and transform into a place people genuinely love and take pride in. In West Hartford, that sense of pride is evident everywhere you look. If you’ve lived in West Hartford for a while now, you’ve likely noticed exciting changes taking place. Our community is in a period of remarkable growth and revitalization. People are moving in, and new residents are bringing fresh energy and ideas. Long-time residents are investing in their properties, updating homes, and giving everything from yards to rooftops a modern touch. It’s a wonderful time to be part of a community that values its history while embracing a bright future. Drive through any neighborhood, and you’ll see beautifully renovated homes, meticulously maintained yards, and proud homeowners putting
their hearts into making this town an even more attractive place to live. The proof is in the pudding — houses hit the market and are snatched up almost instantly! At Trout Brook, we love seeing this pride in homeownership and community flourish. It’s inspiring to see neighbors caring for their homes and yards, creating a collective sense of charm and character unique to West Hartford. And if you’re working on your own outdoor projects — whether updating landscaping, planting new trees, or making sure your existing ones stay healthy — we’re here to help! FUN THANKSGIVING FACTS TO SHARE AT THE THANKSGIVING TABLE The First Thanksgiving Lasted 3 Days It’s true! The first Thanksgiving in 1621 between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people was a three-day event filled with feasting, games, and celebrations. Imagine three full days of Thanksgiving leftovers! ‘Jingle Bells’ Was Originally a Thanksgiving Song The song “Jingle Bells,” written by James Pierpont in 1857, was intended for Thanksgiving, not Christmas. However, the tune became so popular during the holidays that it eventually became part of Christmas traditions. We wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season! Don’t hesitate to reach out for any tree service needs — we’ve got you covered!
There are four easy ways to contact us: call or text (860) 888-8472, use the QR code at the top of the table of contents in this newsletter, or email us at troutbrooktree@gmail.com for a fast response and a quote.
Don’t wait until it’s too late! Winter tree removal spots are filling up fast. Ensure your property is safe and ready for the season — call or text us now to secure your spot.
–Andrew Bachman CT Arborist S6222
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1080P BIRDWATCHING
What Smart Bird Feeders Have to Offer
Have you ever gawked at a gorgeous bird with resplendent plumage, an immaculate beak, and its hypnotic call, only to have it fly from your view, never to return? When you try to tell your friends about this beautiful visitor, do they look at you with mild disinterest and disbelief? Then a Smart Bird Feeder may be just the thing for you! These new devices combine technology and convenience to benefit anyone wanting to enjoy the sights and sounds of their backyard birdies. How do they work? Regular bird feeders are great for feeding local flying friends, although they are susceptible to being knocked over or spilling their contents when the weather turns. Since Smart Bird Feeders only dispense seed as needed, they mitigate the problem of losing feed and pack in the functionality of a game camera. When the sensors on a Smart Bird Feeder detect a bird on its perch, the high-quality Wi-Fi camera begins recording. These videos are saved to the cloud or the camera’s memory card. Some Smart Bird Feeders even alert you to the presence of the birds by sending notifications to your smartphone. Naturally, you can also access the videos directly from your smartphone and share them with friends and family.
Not only will your Smart Bird Feeder record birds, but it will also identify them. AI technology can scan the bird and compare it to its vast database of feathered specimens, giving you the exact identity of your flying visitor. For example, the Netvue Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder can identify over 6,000 bird species. Don’t squawk at the price. One of the downsides of opting for a Smart Bird Feeder is the price tag. The Netvue Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder, which Wirecutter recommends in The New York Times, costs
$169.99 with a lifetime subscription to its AI service and $129.99 when paired with a monthly subscription. On the plus side, it comes with solar panels, so it can run all hours of the day without needing a battery change. If you are a verified bird-watcher and interested in turning your backyard into a videographer’s apiary, then a Smart Bird Feeder may be a great purchase!
The Science Behind Why Dogs and Humans Can’t Resist Leaf Piles
the fall leaves is a satisfying form of play that releases energy. While this may be the simple reason for humans, there are a few more reasons your canine companion can’t resist a tower of leaves. Instinct to Dig Digging is a dog’s favorite pastime that dates back to their wolf ancestors. Just as natural as sniffing and barking, digging is an ingrained behavior for dogs, and they want to follow their instincts the moment they see a leaf pile. Whether they’re digging in to rest in the cool leaves or demolishing the pile entirely, your dog is just doing what dogs have always done. Irresistible Seasonal Scents Our sense of smell doesn’t even come close to dogs’ incredible scent skills. While we have 5 million scent receptors, dogs have
anywhere between 125–300 million! This means they can smell countless other scents we can’t, and autumn may bring some exciting aromas your dog hasn’t experienced in a while. The result? They’ll dive right into a leaf pile and get sniffing! Marking Territory Another scent factor could be your dog wanting to claim a particular leaf pile. We already know dogs use their scents to mark territory, and rolling in a beloved pile of leaves is a way to infuse their scent. After diving head first into some leaves, they leave their scent behind so other animals can smell them and know that the leaf pile has already been claimed! Whatever the case, jumping into a pile of leaves is completely normal — and fun! — for both humans and dogs.
Whether it’s your boisterous toddler or rowdy pup, a perfect pile of autumn leaves might be too good to resist! You probably remember the days when you also jumped into a crunchy orange leaf pile without a second thought. But why do humans and dogs love jumping into huge piles of leaves? The main (and most obvious answer) is because it’s fun! For kids, dogs, and even some adults, jumping and rolling around in
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GET AHEAD OF WINTER DAMAGE
Gutter Cleaning Tips for a Safe, Dry Season
APPLE BASKETBALL BLACK FRIDAY FIREPLACE
GRATITUDE LEAVES NAP PARADE
PIE STUFFING TURKEY VETERAN
As winter approaches, it’s important to begin preparing your home now for the colder months. One often overlooked but critical task is leaf removal and gutter cleaning. Autumn leaves pile up everywhere — in your yard, on your doorstep, and in your gutters. When this happens, they also mix with sticks and debris, and if left unattended, clogged gutters can result and lead to bigger problems. Ice dams, structural damage, and water seepage can occur. Why Clean Your Gutters Before Winter? Clogged gutters prevent water from draining properly, which can lead to multiple problems. When water overflows, it can damage your roof, eaves, fascia (the board behind your gutters), and even your home’s foundation. During winter, ice buildup can add even more weight and cause gutters to bend or detach, leading to costly repairs. Proper gutter cleaning prevents mold growth, water damage, and long-term wear on your home’s exterior. Our Leaf and Gutter Cleaning Process We take a thorough approach to leaf removal and gutter cleaning to make sure your home is ready for winter. • Leaf Removal: We start by clearing leaves from your roof, preventing debris from clogging gutters in the first place. • Gutter Cleaning: Using a handheld blower, hand tools, and gloves, our team clears all debris from your gutters. • Downspout and Runoff Inspection: We check downspouts and runoff chutes to ensure water can flow freely. • Boom Truck Access: For those hard-to-reach areas, we use a boom truck to guarantee every corner is clean and clear. For a free gutter cleaning estimate, text us at (860) 888-8472. Our team will ensure your gutters and yard are ready to handle whatever winter has in store, keeping your home safe and sound through the season.
Crunchy, Lemony Salmon Inspired by FoodAndWine.com
Ingredients
• • • • • •
6 tbsp unsalted butter 3 garlic cloves, smashed 3/4 cup buttery crackers (such as Ritz), crushed
•
1 tsp each black pepper and salt, divided 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper 2 tbsp heavy cream 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 (3-lb) skin-on salmon fillet (1 1/4-inches thick) 1 tbsp olive oil
• • • • •
3/4 cup panko
2 tsp minced fresh thyme
2 tsp lemon zest
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
2. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add garlic and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. In a medium bowl, stir together crackers, panko, thyme, lemon zest, black pepper, salt, and cayenne. Add melted garlic butter and combine. Set aside. 4. In a small bowl, stir together cream and mustard; set aside. Drizzle oil in a heatproof baking dish and place fish, skin side down, in the center. Sprinkle with pepper and salt. Brush fish evenly with cream mixture. Top fish with cracker mixture, gently pressing into fish. 5. Bake for 5 minutes, then reduce temperature to 400 F. Bake until crumbs turn golden brown, 15–18 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes before serving.
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69 TALCOTT RD. WEST HARTFORD, CT 06110 WWW.TROUTBROOKTREE.COM (860) 888-8472
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SCAN FOR A QUOTE
& A rborists
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
1 Stuffed With Thanks 2 What Is a Smart Bird Feeder?
Explore the Instinctual Call of Crisp Autumn Leaf Piles 3 Prep Your Gutters and Yard for Winter
Crunchy, Lemony Salmon
4 Our Grapple Saw Crane Is Changing the Game
A High-Power Solution for Hurricane Recovery Check Out Our Grapple Saw Crane
This past month, we have been hard at work supporting hurricane relief efforts across communities in the Southeastern U.S. following Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. One of the most effective tools in our fleet for storm recovery has been our grapple saw crane, a powerful and versatile machine that makes clearing debris safer and more efficient. The grapple saw crane, also known as a knuckle boom crane, is designed to lift up to 4,500 pounds overhead at its full extension of 93 feet, and up to 7,500 pounds when not fully extended. This strength enables us to tackle even the largest and most challenging debris with ease. Controlled by remote, the crane’s 360-degree functionality allows us to navigate and position the crane right where we want it and reach over obstacles like houses, fences, or other trees without the need for personnel to climb or handle debris at high elevations.
The remote control aspect greatly enhances safety and allows us to remain at a safe distance while the crane handles the heavy lifting. There is a chainsaw at the tip of the crane, which means there’s usually no need for anyone to go up into hazardous tree branches or unstable areas — how cool is that? Thanks to the efficiency and safety provided by the grapple saw crane, we’ve made huge contributions to hurricane recovery efforts to help restore normalcy to affected communities more quickly. It’s an honor to
support these recovery efforts and to provide much-needed relief when communities need it most.
–Andrew Bachman CT Arborist S6222
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