Tag Archives: chappaqua new york

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.

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.

Summer Pruning

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Summer pruning is a great task to add to your to-do list! Pruning trees and shrubs is often necessary to keep these plants healthy and looking their best. There are a few times during the year when pruning is effective, but for now we will focus on summer pruning.

Summer pruning is the ideal way to slow and direct the growth of your trees and shrubs. During summer, these types of plants rely on leaves to absorb sunlight and make nutrients; pruning reduces the overal number of leaves and therefore causes an overall slow down in growth. This is a particularly effective way to keep decorative shrubs in good shape and looking their best. Shaggy, overgrown hedges and bushes that receive a summer pruning make all of your landscaping look tidy and well manicured.

There are also good reasons to prune trees in summer. The weight of the leaves helps identify weak branches. Branches with dead leaves stand out and are easy to identify for pruning. This is also a good time to look for defective branches to prune as well.

Keep in mind that pruning can be a dangerous task. Branches that are higher in the tree or too thick to easily cut should be left to the care of a professional.

Why Hire an Arborist?

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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 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 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 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.

Submit your favorite Westchester tree photo to us here.

Ecological Benefits of Trees

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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.

Deer Resistant Trees and Shrubs

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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 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)

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)

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)

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”)

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!

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

Winter Plant Healthcare: Anti-Desiccant

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Written by Westchester Tree Life’s Jeff Gourion, Plant Healthcare Manager

Prevent “Winter Burn” with an anti-desiccant!

Winter Burn is the damage to our plants that we seem to notice every spring after the long cold winter starts to lose its grip, and we start paying attention to our trees and shrubs again. We notice that some of the leaves on our Hollies, Boxwoods and Rhododendrons and various other broad leaf evergreens turn brown or appear spotty and scorched. This condition closely resembles drought stress; that’s because that is exactly what winter burn is.

A closer look at damage due to “Winter Burn”.

What is an anti-desiccant?

An anti-desiccant spray is a bio-degradable acrylic coating.

What does an Anti-Desiccant do?

An anti-dessicant coats the leaf, especially the underside where the stomata are located, and lows the rate of transpiration. This coating protects the plant from harsh winter conditions.

Don’t leave your trees unprotected this winter!

Why is an anti-dessicant important?

This method of protection is highly effective in reducing
Winter Burn damage.

Which of my plants will an anti-desiccant protect?

All broadleaf evergreen plants
New plantlings
Plants that are stressed from insect and disease damage
Small leaf plants (Arborvitea, Boxwood, Ilex, Holly, Rhododendron, Skip Laurel)

How does winter harm my plants?

During winter, plants go dormant and shut down the normal growing process, however all plants will still transpire (give off water vapor and exchange gases) through the stomata (small pores on the under side of leaves) if conditions are right; an example of conditions are wind blowing across the surface of leaves; warm sunlight on a warmer than normal winter day is another. These conditions working together are the worst case scenario. While cold wind alone is hard on plants, wind on a relatively warm day is even worse! The soil is still frozen and any moisture that the plant would normally try to pull up from the roots is unavailable, making the outcome is almost exactly what happens in summer when you don’t water your plants.

We recommend that you consider calling us for a free evaluation and estimate today!

WESTCHESTER TREE LIFE- 914-238-0069
Ask for Jeff Gourion. Plant Healthcare Manager

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!

Why Do Leaves Change Color?

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Autumn is a bright and beautiful season full of vibrant foliage, but why do leaves change color? To understand this process, we have to explain the process of photosynthesis.

Why Are Leaves Green?

Image Courtesy of Homegiudes SFGate

Plants absorb sunlight which transforms the water and carbon dioxide they have absorbed into oxygen and glucose. Glucose is a kind of sugar which plants use as energy; glucose is a fundamental building block in the life of a healthy plant.

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants transform water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and glucose. Chlorophyll is a chemical plants have which assist in the process of photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is what gives leaves their green color.

When Leaves Change Color . . .

Fall Leaves Westchester Tree Life NY

Once summer shifts into fall, and the days become shorter, there is less sunlight and water for the plants to absorb, therefore the plants must rest and live off of nutrients they have stored for winter.

As the bright green color fades from the leaves, we are able to see different colors which have been present in the plant all along. The absence of chlorophyll makes it possible for us to see the underlying colors, from shades of red to plum.

Bright, Beautiful Autumn Leaves

National Geographic Leaf Westchester Tree Life New York

Photo Courtesy of National Geographic

Some trees, such as Maple trees, keep glucose trapped within the leaf structure long after the photosynthesis process has come to a halt. A combination of cool fall temperatures and sunlight sparks a chemical reaction which transitions these leaves from green to a vibrant red.

Now that you know why leaves change color, enjoy a lovely walk through our beautiful New England foliage!

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.