Tag Archives: westchester county

How Trees Fight Climate Change

Have you ever wondered how trees fight climate change? Planting trees is a great way to leave a positive imprint on the Earth while helping in the fight against climate change. Here are how trees fight climate change at your home and in your community.

How Trees Fight Climate Change

We only have one Earth, so we all have to do our part to make sure we minimize our carbon footprint. Ensuring future generations have a comfortable climate, functional eco-system and enough natural resources to sustain them is vital. Westchester Tree Life wants you to get involved in the fight against climate change by planting a tree. By planting a single tree you are giving back to your community. Learn more from Arbor Day here.

Combat Climate Change from Your Home

Adding trees to your Westchester residence has many benefits. The U.S. Department of Energy have reported that planting trees on the south and west sides of your house you can reduce heating and cooling costs. This is a great way to cut costs while benefiting the environment. The U.S. Forest Service Center for Urban Forest Research has stated that you can save up to 30% of energy use simply by properly placing three trees around your home. Read more about how trees can help fight climate change at home from the Arbor Day Foundation here.

Local Action: Fighting Climate Change in Your Community

How can you take action to fight climate change in your community? Stay knowledgeable about current climate change topics and statistics; if you’re looking to take action, think up a creative, effective way to get involved. Not sure how to begin? Try simply by getting a few neighbors together to discuss the benefits of planting some trees in your neighborhood! The U.S. Forest Service Center for Urban Forest Research has stated neighborhoods with well-shaded streets can be up to 6–10° F cooler than neighborhoods without street trees. Though it seems small, that temperature difference can make a world of difference. For more ideas and information on fighting climate change in your community, click here.

Westchester Garden Guide

Leave a reply

What plants, trees and shrubs are you planting this season? Consider adding some of these plants, trees and shrubs from our Westchester Garden Guide.

Sweet Woodruff, (Galium odoratum)

Sweet woodruff is an excellent groundcover; via Pinterest

This fragrant spring woodlander forms a beautiful green carpet. Sweet Woodruff is a lovely groundcover, ideal for ground beneath trees. Planting sweet woodruff will give your Westchester garden a finished look.

Jack Frost, (Brunnera macropylla)

Jack Frost via Wikimedia Commons

Don’t let deer ruin your beautifully cultivated Westchester garden! Jack Frost is a deer resistant groundcover that adds a lovely touch to your property. Silver veined leaves are topped with blue blossoms, reminiscent of forget-me-nots. Plant this groundcover in a shady area that needs a pop of color!

Lilac, (Syringa ‘Palibin’)

Syringa ‘Palibin’ via Pinterest

The sweet fragrance of a lilac is a staple of spring gardening. Try planting the Syringa ‘Palibin’, which is more resistant to mildew than other types of lilac. They have a tendency to have a longer blooming period than large lilacs.

Mount Airy, (Fothergilla)

Mount Airy via Wikimedia Commons

The Mount Airy is the perfect shrub to plant in a compact garden. Yielding brush-like flowers during spring and gorgeous foliage during fall, Mount Airy brings year-round beauty.

Gorgeous Hydrangeas

Leave a reply

Curating the perfect garden is an art. Selecting which flowers, shrubs and trees to integrate can be difficult. Gorgeous hydrangeas always make for a wonderful addition; here’s why.

Hydrangea Westchester Tree Life

Beautiful Bushels of Flowers

Did you know Westchester Tree Life can help customize a plant health care plan just for you?

Hydrangeas bloom from spring to late fall. Their tiny flowers grow in clusters and can be pink, purple, blue and cream. The cool thing about hydrangeas is how easy it is to manipulate their color; all you have to do is control the pH of the soil. If you would like your hydrangeas to yield pink blooms, you can raise the pH of the soil with limestone. Lowering the pH with elemental sulfur will result in blue flowers.

Healthy Hydrangeas

Westchester Tree Life can assist with your soil! Call today: (914) 238-0069

Whether you prefer your hydrangeas potted or planted, well drained soil is key. If you are planting hydrangeas, dig a hole slightly larger than the plant. This will result in loose, pliable soil. If you are potting hydrangeas, do not plant any deeper than one inch above the original pot height. Select a place where your hydrangea can get a little bit of morning sun as well as afternoon shade.

Spring Gardening Checklist

Leave a reply

Spring is officially here! Our Spring Gardening Checklist makes preparing your Westchester home for warm weather easy.

Spring Gardening Checklist

Westchester Spring Gardening Checklist

Each homeowner’s spring gardening checklist will vary. Before you create your spring gardening checklist, write down any goals you have for your Westchester property. Consider long term and short term goals for your yard.

Walkways & Walls

Spring Gardening Checklist Westchester Tree Life

Westchester county’s past snowstorms may have taken a toll on your yard’s walkways and walls. Check your stone walkways and walls for damaged or missing pieces. This is the perfect time to re-position your yard’s layout.

Tree Removal

Tree Stump Grinding Westchester Tree Life

Westchester Tree Life can professionally remove that unsightly tree stump from your yard.

Spring cleaning is the perfect time to remove that dead tree or stubborn tree stump from your yard! Westchester Tree Life’s certified arborists can offer tree removal and tree stump grinding services. Request a consultation online here.

Tree & Shrub Planting

Let Westchester Tree Life take care of tree and shrub planting this year!

Trees can provide the perfect amount of privacy, while adding aesthetic appeal. If tree and shrub planting seems overwhelming to you, our team of professional arborists can help! We can assist you in selecting the best trees and shrubs for your yard, and provide a customized plant health care plan for you. View all of Westchester Tree Life’s services here.

Garden Shed Organization

Storage Secrets for Your Garden Shed, bhg.com

Don’t forget to add garden shed organization to your spring garden checklist! Starting the season with a tidy workspace will entice you to spend more time outdoors. Throw away any tools which are broken, clean and stack gardening pots, and keep additional potting soil and mulch on hand. Check out Better Homes & Gardens’ “Storage Secrets for Your Gardening Shed” article here.

ACRT Urban Forestry Training

Leave a reply

In Westchester Tree Life’s dedicated effort to further cultivate its ever broadening culture of safety, teamwork, professionalism and arboriculture, its employees recently engaged in its annual ACRT Urban Forestry Training.

In early December, the entire company went to Wagon Wheel Camp in Chappaqua, NY to participate in several safety training, safety awareness and teamwork building exercises during a three day collective. ACRT professional, Keith Norton, lead classes in line clearance operations, electrical hazards, aerial rescue, knot tying skills, tree identification and much more. Once employees successfully completed the training they became certified (or, re-certified) Line Clearance Arborists.

urban-forestry-training

As an employee of Westchester Tree Life and a ISA certified, tree-care safety professional, I will be the first to say that the knowledge we attain during this training is not only invaluable in the field but in other aspects of life as well. During the three days we spent about half of our time learning in the classroom and the other half outdoors participating in guided, interactive tutorials. We saved dummies from trees in mock aerial rescues, engaged in climbing skills tests that stress a full spectrum of safety awareness, participated in electrical safety exercises involving all aspects of associated risk potentials—all while under the seasoned eye of ACRT professionals.

This training helps to build a culture of safety, teamwork, camraderie and mindfulness as well as instilling a framework of problem solving skills that extend into many other areas of life. Westchester Tree Life is more than just a company; it is a synergistic family, that is actively concerned with the well being of its members, and the community around it.

Girdled Roots

Leave a reply

Did you know just one girdling root can kill or stunt the growth of a tree? A girdling root grows around the tree’s trunk, strangling the tree. Girdling roots act as an ever-tightening tourniquet, restricting the tree’s flow of nutrients and water. The dangers of girdled roots can be prevented with routine tree check ups from a professional arborist. Once identified, girdled roots can be properly treated.

missouri-botanical-garden-girdling-roots

Girdling root on a cherry (Prunus) caused by mulch being piled against the trunk.
via Missouri Botanical Garden

Preventing Girdled Roots

Inspection is a key step in preventing girdled roots. When you are planting a new tree, be sure to give the root ball a thorough review to check for any roots which are not radiating out from the tree.

The Dangers of Girdled Roots

When roots girdle a tree, pressure is placed on the water and nutrient pipeline located under the bark. This pressure increases as the tree grows and it’s diameter becomes larger, making it impossible for water and nutrients to move up toward the tree’s canopy. If a tree’s girdled roots are left untreated, the side of the tree with girdling roots will suffer and can result in death.

Removing Girdling Roots

Before the girdling root was removed by Westchester Tree Life

After the girdling root was removed by Westchester Tree Life

When removing girdled roots, consult a professional arborist! Request a consultation from Westchester Tree Life using our online form here.

Signs Your Tree is Suffering from Girdled Roots

If you’ve spotted a girdling root around your tree, check for some of these symptons that your tree is already feeling the ramifications of girdled roots:

Declining branches or uneven growth in the canopy of large trees
Branches with reduced growth on one side of the tree
Your tree’s trunk goes straight into the ground versus flaring outward at the base

Tree species that often have problems with girdling roots include pines, maples (excluding silver maple), lindens and magnolias. This is a tree care matter that should be handled by a professional arborist; schedule a consultation with an ISA-certified Westchester Tree Life arborist today.

Outdoor Tree Decorating Service

Leave a reply

Westchester Tree Life is offering outdoor tree decorating service this holiday season! Whether you are looking to light the trees in the front of your Westchester home or business, we can help! Call Westchester Tree Life today to schedule your outdoor tree decorating service: (914) 238-0069

Call (914) 238-0069 today to schedule your outdoor holiday tree decorating service!

Community Sing, Tree Lighting & Historic Crafts Workshop

new-castle-historical-society-of-chappaqua-westchester-tree-life westchester-tree-life-new-castle-historical-society-of-chappaqua

This year, Westchester Tree Life participated in the Community Sing, Tree Lighting and Historic Crafts Workshop in Chappaqua, New York! We teamed up with the New Castle Historical Society of Chappaqua to assist with the tree lighting for a fun community event. We were excited to see so many families come out for this cozy celebration in Westchester.

westchester-tree-life-outdoor-tree-lighting-2016

Call Westchester Tree Life today to reserve the time you would like our team to come out to light your tree(s). Simply tell us your design goals and our team will do their best to make your holiday vision come true!

Westchester Tree Life’s Live Christmas Tree Service

Leave a reply

Go green this holiday season with Westchester Tree Life’s Live Christmas Tree Service! Westchester Tree Life will deliver a live tree to your home just in time for the holidays! Decorate your tree and enjoy its beauty throughout the holiday season. Then, we will return to your home to plant the tree on your property. Call Westchester Tree Life today to schedule your Live Christmas Tree Service at (914) 238-0069.

live-christmas-tree-service

Environmentally-Friendly

Call (914) 238-0069 to order your Live Christmas Tree from Westchester Tree Life today!

Skip the fake tree and enjoy a true holiday tradition with a live Christmas tree this season. Our team of tree lovers will deliver a live evergreen tree to your home; all you have to do is decorate it! Once the season is over, we will plant your evergreen tree for you. Our Live Christmas Tree Services is the perfect way to give back to spread the cheer and go green this season.

christmas-tree-service-westchester

Christmas Tree Decor

westchester-tree-life-live-christmas-tree-service

via onekindesign.com

Spend more time decorating your tree and less time worrying about what to do with it after the holiday! Here are some beautiful and inspiring ways to decorate your Christmas tree.

classic-christmas-tree-westchester-tree-life

via Dream Book Design

colorful-christmas-tree-westchester-tree-life

via The Sweetest Thing

Winter Storm Prep

Leave a reply

Are you prepared for winter to hit Westchester county? Stress less this winter with our winter storm prep tips. To prepare for winter weather before any storm hits, request a consultation from Westchester county arborists, Westchester Tree Life online here.

winter-storm-damage-westchester-county

Schedule Your Consultation

Westchester Tree Life are also proud members of the International Society of Arboriculture!

Prevent winter storm damage with an assessment from a professional arborist! Our team is ISA-certified and knows what to look for to ensure your trees are healthy and secure for the upcoming season. If you are unsure whether your trees can withstand this winter, call Westchester Tree Life today at (914) 238-0069.

Fallen Tree Branches

Storm damage via CBS Sacramento

Heavy snow can stress weak tree branches to the point of snapping and falling on powerlines, a car, house or garage. Damage from a fallen tree branch can be lethal; keep your Westchester residence safe and secure by checking before the winter weather hits. Make sure your weak tree branches are properly cared for with help from Westchester Tree Life!

Power Line Safety

Jay Ericson clears snow of branches weighing down on power lines at his home
via Daily Mail

Strong winds, heavy snow and other harsh winter storm conditions can leave your powerlines susceptible to tree damage. Removing leaning trees and brittle branches close to powerlines is a responsible way to make sure your Westchester home is safe for winter 2016.

Emergency Tree Care in Westchester County

High winds, heavy snow or ice, and lightning can cause serious damage to your property. When Mother Nature leaves her mark in the way of fallen branches, downed trees, or any hazardous limbs hanging precariously over walkways, cars or your home, call Westchester Tree Life for prompt service. We also have emergency 24 hour service available.

Anti-Desiccant Spray

Leave a reply

Westchester county arborists Westchester Tree Life want to ensure your trees are healthy throughout the upcoming winter. Protect your broadleaf evergreens from winter desiccation with anti-desiccant spray!

About Desiccation or Winter Burn

anti-desiccant-spray-westchester-tree-life

Winter desiccation, also known as “winter burn” is a common plant injury which occurs once the amount of water lost by the foliage has exceeded the amount absorbed by the roots.

Symptoms of Winter Desiccation

winter-tree-care-westchester-tree-life

Symptoms of winter desiccation include the browning and discoloration of leaves, as well as leaf spots. These visible signs of damage are linked directly to harsh environmental conditions. If the damage from winter desiccation is extensive, the tree or shrub’s leaves will drop.

Protect Your Broadleaf Evergreens with Anti-Desiccant Spray

via gardensolutions.com

The solution to ensuring the health of your beautiful broadleaf evergreens is anti-desiccant spray! Westchester Tree Life’s professionally trained arborists can apply anti-desiccant spray to your broadleaf evergreens, trees and shrubs before the cold weather strikes. Anti-desiccant spray is the perfect way to maintain the moisture-level of your broadleaf evergreens throughout dry, brisk weather.

anti desiccant spray westchester

Contact Westchester Tree Life today to schedule your anti-desiccant spraying! Ask about our plant health care program and how it can help you. Request a consultation online here or call Westchester county’s leading arborists, Westchester Tree Life at (914) 238-0069.