Tag Archives: chappaqua new york arborist

Ecological Benefits of Trees

The ecological benefits of trees are all around us . . .literally! They affect the air we breathe, the soil we stand on and grow our food in, the wood we build our homes with, the water we drink, the sun that shines on us, and even our minds on a psychological level.

Can you imagine living in a world without any trees? Well luckily you won’t have to, because without them we actually wouldn’t survive. Trees absorb the CO2 that we breathe out, and release the oxygen that we breathe in.

Trees also help the soil too. Trees use soil to grow their roots into, which in turn holds the soil in place. Without roots holding the soil, rain or hills would cause the soil to erode.

Ever sit under a tree for some shade on a hot summer day? Trees are great for providing shade, whether its for one person, or a whole house! Having tall, leafy trees around your house can block out a lot of the sun, and thus keeping your house cool without the use of an expensive air conditioner!

So many of the fruits we eat come from trees. Apples, pears, peaches, lemons, oranges, you name it! And it’s not just food that we humans eat, many animals and birds get their food from trees as well.

Sometimes trees just make us feel good. Whether we realize it or not, our brains just like to see trees. Studies show that trees can make us feel more calm and focused, as well as less violent.

We at Westchester Tree would love to help you take care of your trees so they can continue to provide you with these benefits, so give us a call at (914)238-0069 or visit our website to learn more.

Dutch Elm Disease

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Elm trees are a great, beautiful variety of tree, but they’re vulnerable to something called Dutch Elm Disease which can cause unsightly patches on the tree, or even tree death.

Dutch Elm Disease is due to a fungus spread by the elm bark beetle, and is not limited to just any one kind of elm tree. Once a tree catches Dutch Elm Disease, the tree tries to block the affected area from spreading the fungus, but this process also cuts off parts of the tree from receiving water and nutrients, which slowly kills the tree. The disease originated in Asia, but has since spread to North America, Europe, as well as New Zealand due to the spread of the beetles that carry it.

So what are some symptoms of Dutch Elm Disease, and how can you prevent your elms from the disease altogether? The first sign that a tree may have become affected might be a barren branch or a branch with yellowing leaves towards the top of the tree during the summer or other times when leaves would not normally be turning their fall colors. This will spread throughout the rest of the branches and eventually reach the roots, which kills the entire tree.

If you can get diseased branches pruned from the rest of the tree before the fungus spreads, you may be able to save the rest of the tree. Don’t forget to burn any affected branches after they are removed so they don’t accidentally infect anything else.

If you think you have an elm tree that is being affected by Dutch Elm Disease and would like help containing the damage or removing the tree if too much damage is already done, contact us at here on our website, or call us at (914)238-0069

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church’s Christmas Tree 2014

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Westchester Tree Life recently donated time to help decorate St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church’s Christmas tree for Christmas 2014 in Armonk, New York!

The following article was featured in St. Stephen’s Weekly Touchstone e-mail:

Our Newly Lit Christmas Tree

We have been getting compliments from parishioners and residents on our beautifully lit Christmas tree. We have Westchester Tree Life, LLC of Chappaqua to thank. In the spirit of holiday giving, they donated the men, bucket truck, and considerable time to completely wrap our Blue Spruce tree with new multi-colored, energy-efficient, LED Christmas lights. Vestry members Laura Desmarais and Trina Fontaine had been exploring different ways to replace the old lights that had either burned-out or were deeply hidden inside the tree’s canopy by years of branch growth, but were finding costs prohibitive.

Hearing about the church’s need, Remington Arnold, a co-owner of Westchester Tree Life, LLC, volunteered his company’s services as a way to give back to a community that has been so supportive of his business over the years. “Rem” (as everyone calls him), remarked at the completion of the job, “The tree now looks like what a Christmas tree is suppose to look like … something of beauty, something that glows brilliantly in the night, and something that hopefully makes people feel happy when they gaze upon it.”

We extend our sincere gratitude to Westchester Tree Life, LLC, “Rem”, and the two employees who worked tirelessly at dizzying heights, decorating our church’s iconic tree. We are especially touched that a local business made time in their busy holiday tree work schedule to accommodate us on such short notice. We invite one and all to come view our beautiful Christmas tree!

The Benefits of Trees

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The benefits of trees are vast, making the addition of a tree or two to your property a valuable investment. Perhaps your backyard offers little shade; planting a tree would be a great way to add shade and aesthetic. The benefits of trees range from increase privacy, increased property value, and lowered heating and cooling costs.

Image Courtesy of Raceswat

Lower your monthly cooling and heating costs with the addition of one or more trees, when re-vamping your backyard! The tree’s shade will be a welcome relief when hosting barbeques and outdoor family parties, as well as act as a windbreak, lowering your heating costs during the winter.

Image Courtesy of Homegiudes SFGate

Raise the property value of your home up to 20% just by adding trees to your landscape. Variables such as size, condition, species, and placement of the tree all play a part in determining the amount your property value will increase. Westchester Tree Life’s certified staff of arborists are happy to assist you in mapping out which trees would work best for you. Our team of tree specialists can also assist you in caring for your tree to ensure a long and healthy life expectancy.

Image Courtesy of Organic Comfort Zone

Add privacy to your home without the installment of a fence! Placing trees strategically around your home or business can assist in creating a visual barrier as well as a sound barrier. The added privacy will create a more personal environment for you to enjoy.

These are only a few of the benefits of trees. Your tree will improve air quality, reduce stormwater runoff and house a variety of wildlife. Interested in adding a tree or to to your home’s exterior? Call Westchester Tree Life today!

Why Hire an Arborist?

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Why hire an arborist? An arborist, or arboriculturist, is a professional trained in the practice of planting, caring for, and maintaining trees! Westchester Tree Life’s staff of professional arborists, located in Chappaqua, New York, are fully trained in the science and care of trees!

Why Caring for Your Trees is Important

On average, trees add a minimum of 20% to your property value! Caring for your trees properly ensures the longevity of your tree’s life, while also keeping your property’s value. Trees are susceptible to damage from insects, diseases, pollution and a variety of factors which can attribute to root damage. Westchester Tree Life is committed in improving, maintaining, and protecting the aesthetics and health of your trees.

Services We Provide

Westchester Tree Life specializes in a variety of services including:

Tree removal
Pruning
Shaping
Cabling
Stump grinding
Insect and disease control
Plant health care
Tick sprays
Deer control
Deer sprays
Tree fertilization
Organic tree care

Request a Consultation

Are you interested in hiring an arborist? Westchester Tree Life proudly services New York and Connecticut! Request a consultation without leaving your home, with our easy-to-use form here.

How To Spot A Dangerous Tree

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Knowing how to spot a dangerous tree may help prevent property damage or injury. A healthy, mature tree can account for a minimum of 10% of your property value. Westchester Tree Life is here to assist you in keeping your trees healthy and vibrant. Call Westchester Tree Life as soon as you spot a dangerous tree.

Here is our guide to explain how to spot a dangerous tree:

Spotting a dangerous tree can prevent injury and property damage.

1. Crown Symptoms: Dead Wood & Broken Branches

First, inspect your tree for dead wood. Dead wood, or dead branches, tend to be barren; if there are leaves on the dead branches, the leaves will be brown. If the branch has been dead for a long time, it will be stripped of it’s bark. Checking the “V” where your tree’s branches connect to the trunk for signs of weakness is also important when searching for dead wood.

2. Decay

Places on you tree’s trunk where there is no bark can indicate a dead section of the tree or a fungus attack. Once you have noticed that your tree has been affected by decay, call Westchester Tree Life to assess your tree’s health.

Mushroom-like fungal growth sitting on or near your tree’s trunk is an indication of decay. To determine if your tree is in danger of falling, or infected with decay, reach out to Westchester Tree Life’s Team of professional arborists!

3. Cracks & Divisions

Searching for cracks and divisions is a key when assessing your tree’s health. The entire tree is susceptible to breaking if there is a damaging enough crack in the trunk. A professional arborist is able to determine how extensive the damage is, and create a plan of action for your tree.

4. Root Problems

Your tree’s health begins in the foundation of the tree’s roots. A tree is held up and supported by anchoring roots, which are thick and large, while the smaller roots of the tree absorb water and nutrients from the soil. Ensuring your tree has a healthy root system is key in maintaining a healthy tree.

5. Leaning

Photo Credit: xylemtree.com

If your tree is leaning to one side, it may be a result of a root problem. If the anchoring roots are rotted, they may be lifting from the soil due to weakness.

Do you think you may have a dangerous tree around the vicinity of your home or business? Westchester Tree Life, located in Chappaqua, New York is here to help!

Call us today: (914) 238-0069