Tag Archives: westchester

How Trees Fight Climate Change

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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.

3 Signs a Tree Is Dying

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Knowing how to properly care for the trees on your property is key when maintaining a safe environment.  A dying tree is a danger to the surrounding buildings, power lines, pedestrians and more; knowing how to spot a dying tree easily can save you from damages.  Here are 3 signs a tree is dying.

Trunk Damage

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When assessing the health of your tree, start at the trunk!  If the damage to a tree’s trunk is sufficient enough, it compromises the future of the tree.  Look for any cracks in the trunk and check the bark; a lack of bark may be a tell-tale sign that your tree is not so healthy.  Though it is normal for a tree’s bark to fall off as it ages, it’s not a good sign if the bark won’t grow back.

Damaged Roots

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Tree roots can cause thousands of dollars in damage to sewer lines. Prevent plumbing problems by following these tree-planting tips.
via Popular Mechanics

A healthy root system is essential for tree healthy.  The roots are where water and nutrients are absorbed and distributed throughout the tree.  If your tree’s roots aren’t visible, call Westchester Tree Life to assist in your tree care evaluation; we can help spot damage properly.

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A leaning tree; via CBS New York

Is your tree leaning?  A noticeable lean can be a sign of serious root damage.  Leaning trees are a damage to their surroundings, especially during the stress of winter storms.  As ice bears down and wind pushes, the tree can give way and land on a nearby home, business, car or person.

Bare Branches

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If you are concerned a tree on your property is dying, check it’s branches come springtime.  A tree which is not producing leaves is a warning sign.  If you notice that only one side of your tree has dead or dying branches, you may want to have a professional arborist come to check for serious trunk and root damage.

 If you are concerned a tree on your property is dead or dying, call a professional arborist from Westchester Tree Life today at (914) 238-0069.  You can also request a consultation using our online form here.

Fire Pit Design

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Enjoy more of the outdoors by creating your own outdoor fire pit!  Customizing your own fire pit design to fit your backyard is easy and fun.  Here are some of the best fire pit design ideas we have found.

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via DIY ‘N Crafts

Fire Pits for Spacious Backyards

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via The Creativity Exchange

Adding a fire pit to your spacious backyard is a great way to break up the large space.  We love how a stone walkway leads from the house’s back patio to a fire pit.  This is the perfect space to host summer cocktail hour!

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via Morning Chores

The fire pit featured on the Morning Chores blog is a great example of how creativity can create the perfect design.  Mapping out a circular section, these homeowners cultivated the perfect outdoor seating area for their fire pit.

Fire Pits for Small Backyards

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via BestofDIYideas.com

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via Apartment Therapy

It’s not the amount of space you have, it’s how you use it!  This beautiful backyard design, as seen in Better Homes and Gardens, is a great example of how you can transform your small space to incorporate your vision.

Firewood:  Burn Where You Buy

Don't Move Firewood

Westchester Tree Life would like to remind you to purchase firewood which will be burned within a 50 mile radius.  Moving firewood can result in the spread of an infestation of an invasive insect or disease.  For more information, read our blog “Don’t Move Firewood” here.

Outdoor Tree Decorating Service

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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

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

Community Sing, Tree Lighting & Historic Crafts Workshop

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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.

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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!

Best Trees for Fall Foliage

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The best way to personalize your home in Westchester county is by planting a garden, trees and shrubs.  Add a splash of color to your landscape with trees that will produce vivid foliage during fall; here is the first part of our list of the best trees for fall foliage!  Stay tuned for our complete list next week.

The Japanese Maple

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The Japanese Maple is a beautiful tree come autumn, due to the vibrancy of its leaves!  This is a great ornamental tree to add to your pre-existing garden or walkway area.

The Sassafras Tree

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The Sassafras tree is interesting, if only for its strange leaf shape, which is softly rounded.  A medium-to-fast growing tree, the sassafras can be trained to grow as a single-trunk tree or a dense and bushy thicket.

The Black Tupelo

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Scientifically known as the nyssa sylvatica, the black tupelo is a trademark autumn tree for its renowned fall color.  In addition to its beauty, the black tupelo is an important late-spring food source for bees!

Westchester Mulch Guide

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Did you know that mulch helps your soil to hold its moisture?  Adding organic mulch to your garden is also a fantastic way to introduce extra nutrients into your soil!  Westchester Tree Life can also create your own mulch with a wood chipping service, if you have a tree that needs to be removed; this is a great, eco-friendly way to clean up a hazardous tree.Westchester Tree Life Mulching

Benefits of Mulch

Mulching Playground Westchester Tree Life

Mulch is not only aesthetically-pleasing, it works wonders for your garden!  Mulch slows weed growth, increases soil quality and gives your property a finished, manicured look.  Overall, adding mulch to your garden will save you time and energy, making it an amazing addition.  Adding mulch to your swing set’s area is also a great idea!

Mulch Varieties

There are so many varieties of mulch to choose from.  If you are unsure which mulch would benefit your Westchester garden best, ask Westchester Tree Life!  Call Westchester Tree Life today at (914) 238-0069!

Mulch Westchester Tree Life Shredded Hardwood mulch is natural and can last anywhere from one to three years.  To add dark, rich color (and a temporary chocolatey fragrance), try Cocoa Mulch; though this is a more expensive option, you can get away with using a thin 1″ layer.  If you are looking for a sustainable, eco-friendly option, consider using compost!  Chocked full of vitamins and nutrients, compost will enrich your soil and is a perfect soil additive for new gardens.

Westchester Tree Life Tip

Fresh wood chips are a traditional mulching option which provides an elegant finish, while making use of any trees that you would like removed.  To request a consultation for a wood chipping service in Westchester County, fill out Westchester Tree Life’s online consultation form here.

The Benefits of Urban Parks

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There have been some interesting studies in recent years regarding the benefits of time spent walking in nature, out among the greenery.  Taking a break during the day to go for a walk can improve your mood and increase your memory and attention, whether you choose to walk down a few city blocks or stroll through a wooded area.  However, research has shown that people who enjoy their walk in a green space experience a significantly greater improvement than those who take their walks among buildings and traffic.

Benefits of Urban ParksSpending time in nature improves memory, attention, and mood across all ages.  The benefits to children with attention disorders and adults suffering depression seem to be the most dramatic.  Why is a walk in a park more beneficial than a walk down a city street?  Scientists believe it’s due to the overstimulation a city street causes.  In this environment, your mind is constantly busy, navigating around other pedestrians and avoiding traffic.  A walk in the woods, on the other hand, gives your mind a break.  You can simply walk and use a more relaxed form of attention that allows the brain to refresh itself.

Benefits of Urban Parks 2The sad truth is, many people don’t have access to a green space where their brains can rest and recharge.  Making sure people of all ages and abilities can get to a park or other green space should be a priority when planning our cities and determining where to place parks.  More green spaces will improve the lives of everyone from, from business men and women on their lunch breaks to preschoolers taking a recess.

Benefits of Urban Parks 3If you’re interested in getting involved in your town or city’s park system, contact your Parks and Recreation department or ask the nearest Land Trust organization how you can support their efforts.  You can also research non-profits in your area that work to add greenery and access to parks to the community.

You can read more about the benefits of urban parks here.

March Contest

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Have you entered Westchester Tree Life’s March Contest?  One lucky winner will receive our New York Nature Bundle!

Westchester Tree Life

The New York Nature Bundle includes:

  • Three bundles of split firewood

  • One pint of New York Maple Syrup

  • Local New York honey

 

To Enter:

Post your favorite tree in Westchester on our Facebook or Instagram page!

Westchester Tree Life

Contest ends Wednesday, April 1st, 2015!