Tag Archives: arborist

ACRT Urban Forestry Training

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.

 
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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.

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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.  

 
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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.

Anti-Desiccant Spray

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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

Tree Cable Inspection

Have you had tree cabling installed?  It might be time to call Westchester county’s leading tree care experts, Westchester Tree Life for a an inspection of cables in trees that were previously installed  to make  sure they are still in good working order.

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About Tree Cabling

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Cabling involves installing steel cables between major limbs, or leaders, to help support the tree and to reduce strain.  Cabling also lessens stress damage that can come from high winds, ice or snow weight.

Preventing Storm Damage

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Prepare for winter storms with help from Westchester Tree Life!  Asking a professional arborist to visit your property and inspect your trees to ensure they are healthy enough to withstand a storm can save a lot of stress.

Westchester Tree Life:  Tree Cabling Inspection

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A great way to prevent storm damage is with tree cabling.  Installing cabling can help reduce stress during strong winds and heavy snow; strengthening weak branches helps to ensure your tree’s longevity.  Made of extra high-strength steel, tree cables assist in limiting the movement of the tree’s supported branches, making them less likely to break and cause damage.

Stay safe and stress-free this upcoming season with assistance from Westchester Tree Life!  Call us today at (914) 238-0069 or request a consultation online here.

View all of Westchester Tree Life’s services here.

The Best Trees for Fall Foliage: Part Two

Introduce vivid, eye-catching color to your autumn landscape with trees!  In our last blog, The Best Trees for Fall Foliage, we shared some of our favorite trees to brighten up your Westchester lawn and garden.  Today we are continuing the list with part two; which of these trees do you plan on planting this upcoming year?

The Red Maple

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The Red Maple produces a leaf so red it’s almost surreal!  There are many variations of the maple tree, all which are lovely in varying ways but the red maple will always be a standard New England fall classic.

The Sugar Maple

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Right behind the classic red maple is the ever-so-sweet sugar maple!  Known for producing a deliciously sweet sap, this tree’s burst of bright color will have you smiling as you rake your leaves.

The Sweetgum Tree

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Star shaped leaves and unusual fruit and trees are the key identifiers of a sweetgum tree.  During fall time, the glossy once-green leaves of the sweetgum turn magnificent shades of red, orange and yellow!

 

John Jay Homestead in Katonah, NY

Recently Westchester Tree Life volunteered at John Jay Homestead in Katonah, NY during the Independence Day event!  Our team of certified arborists were happy to discuss trees with members of the community and share in a community experience.

About John Jay Homestead

John Jay Homestead

via townvibe.com

Located in Katonah, NY, the John Jay Homestead is one of New York’s six historic state sites administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation-Taconic Region.  The John Jay Homestead is also known as the Bedford House or the John Jay House.  This historical New York landmark was the home of statesman John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States.  The John Jay Homestead was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1981.

The John Jay Homestead Independence Day Celebration

John Jay Homestead July 4 2004 Fife and Drum

newyorkhistoryblog.org

The annual John Jay Homestead Independence Day celebration was held on July 4th, 2016, and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bedford-Armonk and the Homestead.  This community event begins with a period-piece portrayal and reading of the Declaration of Independence.  Following the powerful speech there was live music, Colonial era games, pony rides, a hay ride, a petting zoo and a demonstrations of Colonial-era crafts and trades, including blacksmithing. Katonah NY Westchester Tree LifeWestchester Tree Life’s team of arborists were also in attendance to partake and educate on the topics of arboriculture.

John Jay Homestead Westchester Tree Life

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Franco Compagnone, 10 from South Salem, gets a little help cutting a log from Brent Cameron with the Westchester Tree Life Inc., during the Independence Day Fair at the John Jay Homestead in Katonah, July 4, 2016.
via lohud.com

Our team of arborists helped children cut their own slice of wood with a hand saw, and explained how to count a tree’s growth rings.  This hands on experience allowed the community to ask questions about the growth of trees as well as the relative importance of trees!

View more photos from the John Jay Homestead Independence Day celebration here.

Westchester Mulch Guide

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.

Professional Tree Care in New York

Looking for professional tree care in New York?  Kick spring and summer off the right way with help from our team of professional arborists in Westchester County, Westchester Tree Life!  There are so many great ways we can help you care for and cultivate beautiful plants, trees and shrubs; fill out our online consultation form here.

New York Tree Care Westchester Tree Life

 

Westchester Tree Life:  The Professional Tree CompanyTree Care in New York Westchester Tree Life

We understand that searching for a professional tree company in New York can be difficult!  Since 1985, Westchester Tree Life has built a business on client trust and outstanding results.

Have a tree care question?  

Speak with a tree specialist today; call Westchester Tree Life at (914) 238-0069.

Westchester Tree Life ServicesTree Care Westchester County

Plant Health Care Programs

Need a tree surgeon?  Westchester County’s Westchester Tree Life includes a team of passionate arborists who are here to thoroughly evaluate your tree care needs and offer a Plant Health Care Management Program to keep you on the right track!

Tree Care in New York Westchester Tree Life

Maintaining Your Trees

From tree trimming to tree cabling, we can help maintain the beauty and health of your trees.  Westchester Tree Life is professionally trained to safely remove dangerous tree limbs or trees, and offers stump grinding services as well.  Let us help raise your property value in Westchester County!  View our full service menu here.

5 Tick Safety Tips Everyone Should Know

The window for tick bites has been extended this year due to November and December 2015 having been unusually warm and damp.  Enjoy the weather outdoors in Westchester County while staying safe with these 5 safety tips everyone should know!

  1.  Tick repellent clothing is a great way to enjoy Westchester County’s beautiful weather while protecting yourself from tick bites!
    Tick Repellent Socks

    Tick Repellent Socks, Gamehide.com

    Tick repellent clothing is pre-treated with tick repellent which is odorless and lasts up to 70 washes.

  2. Contrary to popular belief, ticks remain active during winter.  This is important to remember if you are a skier, hunter, outdoor enthusiast or work outdoors, tick prevention is still a precaution you should take.
    Winter Ticks

    “Deer ticks will be active any winter day that the ground is not snow-covered or frozen.” – TickEncounter.org

    Deer ticks in the adult stage of their life cycle become active after the first frost, and are not killed by freezing temperatures.

  3. Ticks do not jump or fly, they climb up.  Ticks climb to access thinner blood located near the neck, head and ears of their host.
  4. Ticks come in small, medium and large sizes; this includes deer ticks.  Ticks have three active, blood-feeding stages which include larvae (the size of a grain of sand), nymphs, (the size of a poppy seed) and adults (the size of an apple seed).  Ticks which are larger than an apple seed are most likely partially-full or full of blood.
  5. Pointy tweezers are the best way to remove a tick.  When pulling a tick out, grab as close to the skin as you can and pull upward with steady, even pressure.Tick Removal

The Benefits of Urban Parks

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.

Mature Tree Care

Mature trees bring more than just beauty to your property.  They provide shade that can reduce cooling costs and increase your overall property value.  Mature trees are a sign of longevity and endurance.  It takes decades for a tree to grow to its mature, stately height. Caring for mature trees takes knowledge and experience.  Mature trees face problems we don’t typically see in smaller trees.  With their lofty height, larger limbs, and often sprawling root systems, your most majestic trees are often most at risk.

mature tree careThe first step to ensuring the health of your mature trees is to have them inspected.  At Westchester Tree Life, we take a proactive approach and complete a careful inspection of each tree from crown to root.  We look for signs of pests, damage, and disease, as well as any indications of weakness or rot.  The inspection will tell us the extent of any necessary pruning or if the tree is at risk of falling or dropping large limbs.

Mature trees can benefit from mulching.  Mulching protects your trees roots from temperature and moisture extremes as well as damage from lawn mowers.  Plant based mulch decomposes over time, providing nutrients to the tree.  Before you pile on the mulch, it’s important to know what you’re doing.  Mulch should cover as much of the root system as possible with a depth of 2 to 4 inches.  You don’t want the mulch to pile up against the base of the tree where it can decay the bark.  Instead, leave a mulch-free area a couple of inches wide around the trunk.

mature tree care 2Other, more complex, issues are important to the health of your mature trees.  Soil composition and density affect the nutrients your tree has access to and its stability.  Drainage is another crucial element to consider.  If you aren’t sure how to determine the pH of your soil or whether or not it is too loose to securely anchor your tree in place, Westchester Tree Life can assess the soil and advise you on any needed changes.

With their larger, higher branches, mature trees pose a challenge when they need to be pruned.  Attempting to prune a large tree yourself can be dangerous for both you and any nearby structures.  Pruning mature trees requires knowledge of how trees heal; branches and limbs should be removed only when necessary.  Because of the danger involved, this type of pruning job requires special equipment and training.  You should always leave the pruning of mature trees to an expert arborist.

Pruning fruit trees by pruning shears

Sometimes, the removal of a mature tree is necessary.  Mature trees, in spite of their size, aren’t immune to disease, pests, rot, and other types of damage that can lead to falling.  A downed tree can cause extensive damage and injury.  Westchester Tree Life can not only safely remove mature trees, but can advise you on suitable replacements.

With proper care and maintenance, mature trees can add great value to your property.  Trust experts like Westchester Tree Life to keep your trees in their best condition!