Tag Archives: chappaqua tree care

What to Do After Severe Storm Damage

What to Do After Severe Storm Damage

Information cited from treesaregood.com; view the entire article here.

Emergency-Tree-Service-West

Our 24-Hour Emergency Tree Service is here for you this winter!

New York’s winter storms can be severe; prepare for winter storm damage in Westchester County with help from Westchester Tree Life!

Winter storm damage in Westchester County can leave a lasting impact on your home and property.  From strong winds to heavy snow and ice, winter storm damage can uproot trees, split branches and more.  What should you do once storm damage strikes?  Follow these 4 easy-to-remember steps:

  1.  Visually Assess the Damage – Are the major limbs still remaining and the trunk unbroken?  Are at least 50 percent of the tree’s branches intact?  If you have answered yes to either of these, there is a good chance for recovery.
  2. Take Safety Precautions – Realize the serious potential dangers of storm damage.  For example, take the possibility of storm damaged trees touching live electrical wires, which can result in electrocution.  Broken or dangling limbs may result in overhead death, trees and limbs under tension may react unexpectedly when cut.  All of these scenarios and more are vital when reviewing storm damage.
  3. Resist the Urge to Do It Yourself – Are large limbs broken or dangling?  Immediately call Westchester Tree Life at (914) 238-0069!  Our team is ISA Certified to deal with dangerous situations!
  4. Hire an ISA Certified Arborist – Westchester Tree Life is just a phone call away at (914) 238-0069!

To request a consultation online, click here.

How Trees Survive Winter

Have you ever wondered how trees survive winter?  Winter in Westchester County, New York can be brutal; from frigid winds, heavy snowfall and sleet as well as the occasional below-freezing temperature.  Westchester Tree Life explores how trees survive winter!

Dormant Winter Tree Westchester Tree Life

DormancyDormant Tree Branch Westchester Tree LifeComparable to hibernation, trees survive winter in a state of dormancy.  A tree begins to prepare for dormancy once it looses its leaves in fall; this excludes conifers, which retain their nettles during winter.  This shedding of foliage is the first step of slowing down the tree’s metabolism, energy consumption and growth.

All About ABA

ABA-Westchester-Tree-Life

ABA or Abscisic acid is produced in the tree’s terminal buds.  Terminal buds can be found at the point where a leaf breaks off before it falls.  Once that happens, ABA gathers where the leaf has broken off; this chemical suspends the tree’s growth and prevents cells from dividing.  Preventing growth is part of a tree’s dormancy process.  This saves energy, as the tree isn’t making any new food for energy and has to conserve the food it has stored.  This limited energy is used sparingly, when needed.

Why Hire an Arborist?

Why hire an arborist?  Westchester County, New York’s tree care professionals at Westchester Tree Life are professionally trained to properly care for your trees.  Our team of arborists are properly trained to safely remove trees, provide an excellent plant health care plan and more!  Have a question about the safety and care about your trees in Westchester, New York?  Call Westchester Tree Life today:  (914) 238-0069.

Westchester Tree Life

Westchester tree photo submitted by Lauren Brois‎

Many people take the trees on their property for granted.  You may not really think about your trees on a day to day basis, or really pay much attention to them from one season to the next.  While you probably enjoy their shade in the summer or the privacy your evergreens provide, having your trees cared for or inspected by an arborist may not be at the top of your list of priorities.

Like most other aspects of home ownership, trees really benefit from a proactive approach.  Caring for trees properly helps avoid catastrophe down the road.  An arborist can advise you of trees that are in danger from rot, pests, or disease before these problems result in major damage.  That beautiful tree next to the driveway will certainly get your attention if it falls on your car during a storm or drops a large limb across the power lines.  An arborist will assess the health and stability of your trees and provide you with options for keeping your trees in good shape so they are less likely to succumb to violent weather or simply give way under their own weight and the effects of disease or invading insects.

Westchester Tree Life

Westchester tree photo submitted by Justin Cole Frawley‎

In addition to checking the health of your trees, an arborist can safely and expertly prune your trees.  Pruning helps contain the growth of trees, keeping them looking their best while ridding the tree of weak or dead branches.  Large trees can be risky to prune without the proper equipment or experience.  Rather than put yourself and your property at risk by taking on this kind of task yourself, trust the job to a certified, reputable arborist.

An arborist can also be an invaluable asset in planning your landscaping.  For the general homeowner, knowing which species of tree to plant and where to plan them can be a daunting task.  If your goal is to cut your heating or cooling costs, to have flowering trees throughout the season, to maintain privacy, or to enjoy fall colors, an arborist will be able to look at your property and help you choose the best trees to suit your needs.  In addition, an arborist will oversee the correct planting and placement of trees while also instructing you on their care and maintenance.

Westchester Tree Life

Westchester tree photo submitted by Alexander Fink

Sometimes, a tree on your property can interfere with structures or foundations.  This is another reason why an arborist is a good resource for planning what and where to plant.  If you find yourself with a tree whose roots are damaging your driveway or some other such issue, you may need to have the tree removed.  An arborist is ideal to consult for this task!  In addition to removing the tree, an arborist can assist you in choosing a more suitable replacement.

The trees on your property do much more than simply look pretty.  They provide shade and privacy for you and shelter for local wildlife.  Trees increase your property value and make your yard a more welcoming place to spend time.  Protecting and caring for the trees in your yard prevents larger, more expensive problems down the road and helps to maintain the value of your property.

July-Tree-Contest-Westchest

Submit your favorite Westchester tree photo to us here.

 

 

Reclaimed Wood DIY Projects

These reclaimed wood DIY projects are a great way to preserve a tree that meant a lot to you, reduce waste, and re-purpose old wood into a new, useful item!  Westchester Tree Life believes in always making environmentally-conscious decisions, especially when they directly involve wood!  Here are our favorite reclaimed wood diy projects:

Reclaimed Interior Design

1.  DIY Reclaimed Wood Headboard

Repurposed Headboard Westchester Tree Life

We love the idea of assembling pieces of wood into a beautiful new headboard!  This is a great way to give your bedroom an environmentally-friendly makeover without breaking the bank!

2.  New Shelves

Repurposed Closet Shelves Westchester Tree Life

Make your life a little more organized by repurposing that old wood into new shelves!  Not only does this project give your closet a new life, it makes storage simple!

3.  Rustic Kitchen Lighting

Repurposed Kitchen Lighting

Do you have wood from your old home that you want to work into your new interior design?  Recycle your wood into a rustic light fixture ideal for your cozy New England kitchen!

4.  Towel Rack

Repurposed Wood Towel Holder Westchester Tree Life

We love the idea of taking wood from an old palette and reworking it to create a towel rack!  This design is much easier than it looks to create; for a finished look, be sure to stain all of the pieces!

Repurposed Garden & Outdoor Design

1.  Garden Walkway

Repurposed Garden Path Westchester Tree Life

Repurposed wood gives a garden a personal touch.  Whether your wood is recycled from a favorite old tree that you had to have removed, or a wood pallet, this project is easy!

2.  Patio Swing

Repurposed Wood Swing Westchester Tree Life

Give your patio a fun swing crafted from recycled wood!

3.  Firewood Storage

Firewood Storage Westchester Tree Life

Prep your firewood for next winter with a firewood storage container!  This great DIY project will keep all of your firewood stacked and neat.

 

Check out more great DIY projects using reclaimed wood on our Pinterest board here.

Tree Feature: Captivating Conifers

Conifers are a form of evergreen, meaning they retain their color and leaves all year long!  Which of these captivating conifers are perfect for your design?

Whimsical Beauty

NY Tree Care

How amazing is this texture?

The dense, silver-blue nettles of the “Blue Star” Juniper are a great way to introduce color into your landscape’s design.

Introduce Originality

Tree Care Chappaqua

We love the shape of this conifer!

Are you looking for an eye-catching conifer to add to your backyard oasis?  The Dwarf Japanese Black Pine are always known to have original identifying factors!

 Add Something Romantic

White Plains Tree Care

This Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar is a great way to break up a garden’s monotonous height distribution.  Give your yard a touch of romance!

Feathery Foliage

Westchester Tree Care

Mix up the textures in your garden with the feathery foliage of the Zebrina Himalayan Pine.

Gorgeous Groundcover

Tree Care Westchester

Add a pop of color with gorgeous silvery-blue groundcover!  Blue Chip Juniper is the perfect low-growing, low-spreading, eye-catching groundcover!

What is Dormant Pruning?

Dormant pruning is a great way to maintain healthy, beautiful trees!  What is dormant pruning?  Dormant pruning is the pruning of a tree during the off-season (fall and winter).

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The Benefits of Pruning

Pruning your tree ensures that all dangerous limbs are removed, which prevents property damage and personal injury.  Fallen Branch Sign Fallen Tree Branch Westchester Tree Life

Removing unnecessary tree branches also influences and encourages tree growth while allowing your tree to maintain it’s proper weight distribution.

Tree Forms Westchester Tree Life

Which tree shape do you like best?

Are you looking to shape your tree into a certain configuration?  Pruning is the answer!

Why Dormant Pruning is Best

Removing limbs is stressful to the tree.  Pruning your tree during it’s dormant season ensures that less sap is loss, and the tree endures less physical stress.

Dormant Tree Westchester Tree Life

Trees are also less susceptible to damage from insects and disease during the dormant season.

Only a Little Off the Top

When pruning your trees, we recommend that you only remove what is needed.

Chappaqua Tree Care

Westchester Tree Life is happy to assist you in dormant pruning!

We highly recommend that you call a professionally certified arborist to properly prune your tree.

 

Deer Resistant Trees and Shrubs

Planting deer resistant trees and shrubs on your property is a great way to deter deer from your residence, while adding aesthetic to your grounds!  Here are five great trees and shrubs to incorporate into your outdoor design, while keeping pesky deer away!  For a complete deer-resistant strategy, call Westchester Tree Life’s professionally certified arborists!

1.  Paper Birch Tree (Betula Papyrifera)

Paper Birch Westchester Tree Life

Paper Birch trees, also called “White Birch Trees”, are medium-sized trees native to North America.  These fast-growing trees are found mostly in mixed hardwood-conifer forests, and thrive on well-drained, sandy loams in cool moist areas.  The beautiful white bark and handsome foliage make for a great addition to your landscape!

2.  Blue Mist Shrub (Caryopteris Clandonensis)

Blue Mist Shrub Westchester Tree Life

Both beautiful and effective at deterring deer, the Blue Mist Shrub features rich blue blossoms and superb silvery foliage!  This is a great option for any yard, as the shrub grows in an upright position, creating an orderly and pleasant addition (versus sprawling and rangy, requiring frequent upkeep).

3.  American Holly Tree (Ilex Opaca)

American Holly Tree Westchester Tree Life

Add some cheer to your landscape with an American Holly Tree!  This variety of holly is one of the most effective at staving off deer from nosing around your garden.  The American Holly Tree is also a medium-sized tree which has short and slender branches, and attracts songbirds.

4.  Daphne Shrub (Daphne)

Daphne Shrub Westchester Tree Life

If you are looking to add beautiful but low-maintenance shrubs to your garden, consider the Daphne shrub!  Also effective at steering deer away from your property, this fragrant shrub does well in moderately-fertile, well-drained soil.

5.  Moonglow Juniper Shrub (Juniperus scopulorum “Moonglow”)

Moonglow Juniper Shrub Westchester Tree Life

The intense silvey blue-green foliage of the Moonglow Juniper shrub lasts throughout the winter months, with very minimal bronzing.  This is a fantastic staple for your landscape, and is effective at keeping deer away!