SEPTEMBER 2021 & A rborists
WWW.TROUTBROOKTREE.COM
(860) 888-8472
We are the Difference
SAFETY, PROFICIENCY, AND ACCURACY SET US APART
employees demonstrate reflects in the efficient work they produce.
I must admit that in today’s landscaping market, it can prove difficult to differentiate ourselves. And differentiate ourselves, we must! This market is saturated with workers and laborers who go about their daily work in an unsafe or illegitimate manner. It concerns me that many times, competing companies employ people — sometimes just for the day — who don’t operate in the most professional ways and aren’t literate enough to understand the safety standards, PPE (personal protective equipment), or the equipment manuals. The industry gets a bad reputation from behavior like this. I am proud to say that at Trout Brook Arborists, we make the effort to be the difference in safety. Safety is paramount. I am fortunate to have dedicated employees working alongside me who value proper protocols and correctly utilize highway cones, hardhats, and who inspect their equipment before use. Our team is passionate about the work, and many have been with our company for five years, delivering a consistent level of service. The cheerfulness and tenacity that my
I believe that education is everything: There is always
something to learn, always a new way to improve. Twice a year, in the summer and winter, we go as a team to the Connecticut Tree Association Conference. This is a gathering of approximately 500 small-business owners and employees, and it is designed to help us discuss the latest work practices, tree disease trends, attend and certify in the latest safety standards, and try out the new equipment. This past conference, I was asked to bring some of our new equipment to demonstrate and display on behalf of the manufacturers. Because most of our equipment is highly sought after and in high demand, I shared it with other attendees. (This is also a great way for our employees to connect with other arborists and get inspired themselves!) We use the highest technology, and as a team, we collaborate and look out for each other. Here at Trout Brook Arborists, there is a career for
every single one of us, and we are in it for the long haul. We are a family, and we look out for each other. We want to ensure that the job is done correctly and to the best of our ability. Unlike some competitors, our work is a direct reflection of us individually. Excellence is our goal, and we will continue to strive to better ourselves, our work, and our safety.
We are the difference.
Email us at TroutBrookTree@gmail.com or call us at (860) 888-8472 for all your tree care needs.
–Andrew Bachman (860) 888-8472
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Meet Part of Our Team!
Rick is the kindest, calmest bucket operator this side of the Mississippi. Rick has seen the whole country in his day, and he probably picked up his calm
Slava is a rookie tree guy and a maverick hustler. And I don’t mean gambling. (He gave that up in the pool halls of his native
Devon is rugged and noble in appearance and attitude, and rumored to be the son of Connecticut aristocracy. Mr. Devon Marino of Cromwell
always stands up for protocol and process in the interest of his crew’s wellbeing. When you see him running equipment efficiently, you would think he was born with a silver chainsaw in his hand. In his life outside tree work Devon appreciates the fine arts of drone photography, jet boating, and heavy metal music.
attitude while in the Western states climbing high altitudes and removing 200-foot cedars in the 90’s. As a side hobby, he is a “wood connoisseur.” He enjoys collecting unnaturally shaped wood burls and twisted branches to carve and finish into useful items. You can find Rick on a hot summer day wearing a sweat and sap-stained cheap white T-shirt to stay cool.
Litchfield County years ago.) He rakes brush with the frenzied pace of a hotshot firefighter diggin’ a fire line, which is actually what he used to do in a former life. You can find Slava wandering around wondering where he left his Redbull and his phone, because he’s usually working too hard to remember.
Getting to the Root of the Problem
Trees provide shade, capture carbon, and add beauty to outdoor landscapes. They can also be the source of endless fallen leaves or fruit to rake up, hazardous branches, and strong root systems that can upend sidewalks or yards and cause drainage problems. That’s exactly what happened in a Minnesota court case, and the outcome teaches us a lot about how to be good stewards of the land and trees while also being good neighbors. In Holmberg v. Bergin , a Minneapolis homeowner who’d planted an elm tree just over a foot from his property line was sued after the tree grew to 30 inches in diameter and an astounding 75 feet high! The tree’s trunk destroyed the neighbor’s fence as it grew, but more problematically, the root system was so vigorous that it broke through the sidewalk and caused drainage issues at the neighbor’s house. The court ruled in favor of the neighbor, saying that the tree had created a nuisance. However, the judge did not award monetary damages, as the neighbor had requested. Instead, because the roots could not be addressed without damaging the tree, the court ordered it to be cut down. This was a rather extreme case, but many people wonder what recourse they have if their
neighbor’s trees are producing excess leaves, fallen fruit, or problems from dangerous limbs or wily roots. While laws vary by state, your best first course of action is using what’s called self-help. That means that you can help yourself to pruning the branches or roots that encroach on your property. When it comes to fruit, the courts are divided. Some say that the fruit belongs solely to whoever has the trunk of the fruit tree in their yard, while others say that overhanging limbs with fruit are fair game for neighbors or passersby. As with many things that are irritating but not a nuisance in the eyes of the law, the best place to start is by chatting with your neighbor. No matter what the law says, your neighbor may be happy to share the fruit on their tree’s overhanging limbs or hear your other concerns about the tree and work to mitigate the problem. And as that Minnesota judge alluded to in their ruling, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Speak up early if you see a budding issue with your neighbor’s tree.
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TAKE A BREAK
Curb appeal speaks volumes, and your lawn is the shining feature of your curb appeal. A brown lawn, ridden with weeds, is an embarrassing eyesore. When planning to install a lawn in West Hartford, you’re presented with an important decision: Should you seed or sod it? Sod is an “instant lawn.” It takes a lot less effort to establish a sod lawn than grow seed into mature lawn. Once the sod is laid and watered for a week, you have a lawn that’s ready to go. Sod is a fabulous option for difficult areas such as slopes or elevated land. In these types of areas, seed would likely just wash away. Sod can also be laid at any time of the year, where seed is limited to certain months of the year. When you lay seed, you should also protect the seeds from heavy foot traffic or birds for a few weeks while you “farm” it into the lawn. On the positive side, seed is far less expensive than sod. With large, flat yards, choosing seed over sod may wind up saving you hundreds of dollars. Yet, seed can only be laid in certain months of the year, a few good weeks in the fall and in the spring. When it gets too hot or too cold, seed wont germinate easily and grass seedlings will dry out quickly in the heat. Despite this, seed is considered to be far less labor-intensive than sod is. People might be surprised, but September is actually the BEST time to seed. At Trout Brook Landscaping, whether it’s a seeding or sod job, we would start the lawn installation by ripping out all of the old sod and then leveling the yard with new soil, or if we are able to, reusing the same soil. We would then texture the ground. This whole process takes less than a day for a normal-size home lot. We have all of the right equipment, and we follow up the seeding or sod job with a referral for a fertilization and weed control program to set you up for success. We also set you up with watering directions to assist you in maintaining your investment. The result is a dense, lush lawn to complement your beautiful colonial home in West Hartford. Spicing Up That Curb Appeal Seed vs. Sod
One-Pan Apple Cider Chicken
Inspired by WellPlated.com
Bring the taste of fall into your kitchen with this sizzling skillet meal. Ingredients
• 1 1/2 lbs boneless,
• 4 tsp olive oil, divided • 3 sweet apples, cut into 1/2-inch slices • 2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped, plus more for garnish
skinless chicken thighs
• 1 tsp salt, divided • 1/2 tsp black pepper, divided • 1/2 cup apple cider • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
Directions
1. Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Set aside. 2. In a small bowl, combine apple cider and mustard. Set aside. 3. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tsp olive oil. When shimmering, add chicken thighs top-side down. Cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for 4 more minutes. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil. Wipe the skillet clean. 4. Heat the remaining oil in the skillet, then add sliced apples, remaining salt and pepper, and rosemary. Cook for 5 minutes. 5. Return the chicken to the skillet and add apple cider-mustard mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, then serve sprinkled with rosemary!
For all of your lawn installation needs, call us this September — we are ready to serve you!
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69 TALCOTT RD. WEST HARTFORD, CT 06110 WWW.TROUTBROOKTREE.COM (860) 888-8472
SEPTEMBER 2021 & A rborists
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
1 Setting the Benchmark High 2 Meet Part of Our Team! Neighbor With a Nuisance Tree? Try This! 3 Seed vs. Sod One-Pan Apple Cider Chicken 4 Self-Improvement: Be the Best Version of Yourself Fostering Self-Improvement The Best Version of Yourself
We are dynamic beings — ever-changing and constantly evolving! Are you someone who is always seeking self- improvement? Even if that doesn’t sound much like you, there is always time to start working on yourself. It seems like the most common thought is that working out is the primary way to improve oneself. As a society, we are very focused on appearances. However, while appearances and first impressions are important, there are countless ways to begin working on and taking responsibility for yourself. September is Self-Improvement Month, and our potential is limitless! Read every day. Even if books aren’t your thing, find another source to fill your brain with knowledge. You can read the news, magazines, or even sports programs. (No, social media doesn’t count!) Taking in new information is paramount for growth. Find a new hobby. Finding something that catches your interest outside of work and your day-to-day routine is important to
keep things new and interesting. Maybe you can take up arts and crafts, a new sport, or find an appreciation for something that inspires you. Learning new activities forces you to grow physically, mentally, and emotionally. Overcome your fears. Working to overcome something that gives you anxiety or makes you fearful is one of the best ways to improve yourself. Whether you are afraid of public speaking, heights, risks, changes, or uncertainty, breaking outside of your comfort zone will open you up to new possibilities. Set the alarm earlier. Waking up earlier gets your day started sooner and is shown to yield higher productivity and quality of life. Waking up early provides you with more time to work on yourself. You may be able to squeeze in a workout, read a book, meditate, or spend time with your family. The opportunities are endless. No matter how you choose to start working on yourself, there is no time like the present. Always keep in mind that it is not about being better than others. It is about being the best version of yourself! Take responsibility today!
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