Tag Archives: westchester county new york

Organic Gardening

Organic gardening is a great way to add to your healthy lifestyle.  Growing your own organic fruits, vegetables and herbs is easy with help from Westchester Tree Life!  We offer organic fertilization to keep your garden happy and healthy.

Organic Fertilizer Westchester Tree Life

About Organic Fertilization 

Non-organic fertilizers contain chemicals such as ammonia or is extracted from minerals.  Introducing manmade chemicals into your soil not only effects your plants, it effects your soil! Organic fertilizers contain only the most natural of ingredients so you can feel at ease about what you’re introducing to your garden.  For organic fertilization in Bedford, White Plains or other areas in Westchester County, New York, call Westchester Tree Life at (914) 238-0069!

Organic Vegetable Gardening

Organic Fertilization Westchester Tree Life

We offer organic fertilization in Westchester County!

Starting your own vegetable garden is a great way to monitor what goes into the veggies you’re eating!  Organic vegetable gardening takes patience, maintenance and care, but the end-result is very gratifying.  Before you start your organic vegetable garden, it’s important that you understand what kind of soil you have and how much sun your garden can provide.  Read Better Homes and Gardens’ Tips for Growing an Organic Vegetable Garden for more tips and tricks here.

Organic-Gardening-Westchest

Call Westchester Tree Life today for organic fertilization!

4 Fragrant Flowers to Add to Your Garden

Create the perfect garden oasis in your backyard!  Westchester County’s professional arborists, Westchester Tree Life are sharing 4 fragrant flowers to add to your garden this year.  Once the breeze carries the sweet scent from your garden, you’re going to want to share your favorite fragrant flowers with your friends!

Dianthus

Dianthus Westchester Tree Life

Westchester Tree Life Westchester County New York

If you’re a gardening aficionado, you have definitely seen (or smelled) a bouquet of Dianthus!  Dianthus grow pink, white or red and give off a spicy-sweet fragrance.  Taller types of Dianthus are perfect for cutting, and include both annual and perennial types.

Gardenias

Gardenia Westchester Tree Life

Gardenia Westchester County New York

Both beautiful and fragrant, Gardenias are a lovely addition to your Westchester County garden!  Gardenias are a beautiful shrub which Westchester Tree Life can assist you in caring for with a Plant Health Care Management Plan!

Oriental Lily

Westchester County Garden Care

Oriental Lily Westchester Tree Life

Oriental Lilies bloom mid-to-late summer and are eye-catching and beautiful.  These sweet smelling flowers bloom in shades of pink, yellow and white.  These will definitely be the talk of your garden!

Lily of the ValleyLily of the Valley Westchester County New York

Lawn Care Westchester County New York

Perfect for a beginner, Lily of the Valley requires little care and makes for a wonderfully fragrant groundcover!  Lily of the Valley works beautifully as a potted plant as well.

Connecting Children with Nature

Screen time has changed how children learn, advance, develop their attention span and connect with nature.  In a world where we are more prone to let Netflix or “educational programming” babysit our children, connecting children with nature is increasingly important. Here are some great ways to get your kids to lay off the screen time, and explore the trees and nature of Westchester County.

Kids Playing Westchester County Trees

Set the Example

Let’s be honest, children learn by example.  Set a positive example for your child by making a point to unplug and stop screen time, and opt for an outdoor activity.  When you have free time, try to spend it outside.  My mother would set aside time each day to weed, water and otherwise tend to her garden; this routine became so normal that I began to appreciate the beauty in the serenity of the process and eventually joined her.

Fun Outdoor Activities

When weaning a child off of screen time, realize that you have to make the new activity just as interesting and exciting.

Westchester County Tree Planting

Planning a day trip to a local tree nursery is a great way to show your child the visual growth of a tree (without a time lapse, of course)!  This hands-on experience will invite your child to connect personally with nature.  If you are so inclined (and have tested the soil, mapped out a proper zone to plant your tree, and have researched the tree’s needs) purchase a tree to plant together!

Westchester County Tree Care

The Magic of a Blooming Garden

Butterfly Garden Westchester Tree Life

Never underestimate the magic of a blooming garden.  As adults we are aware that flowers come in a variety of beautiful shapes and sizes, but to children, this can be amazing.  Visiting a local butterfly garden is a great way to introduce your child to the beauty of nature as well.  The variety of bright, eye-catching plants and excitement of fluttering butterflies is sure to keep your child asking questions about nature.  Take the day trip a step further by shopping for a tree or shrub which will attract butterflies in your area!

View information regarding the American Museum of Natural History’s Butterfly Conservatory (located in New York) here.

Trees Are Cool

You are the coolest person your child knows (Batman does not count).  Set the example by sharing how cool trees are!  If you are going to use screen time, make it educational; watch a Netflix documentary on the rainforest with your child during the next movie night or check out live images of California’s breathtaking redwood forest on Google Earth without leaving your living room.

Westchester Tree Life Family Tree Care

Simply placing a leaf underneath a microscope and letting your child observe will feed their curiosity and imagination.  Once you set the groundwork for a positive relationship with nature, your child will likely nurture that their entire life.

5 Beautiful Trees to Plant This Spring

Spring 2016 may come to Westchester County early this year!  Have you started to think about which trees you would like to plant?  Check out these 5 beautiful trees to plant this spring:

Dogwood Trees

Dogwood Tree Westchester Tree Life

Four seasons series of dogwood tree

Add year-round beauty to your Westchester home with dogwood trees!  These understory trees produce red, pink and white blossoms, offer bold red and purple foliage during fall time and grow red berries during the winter.

Norway Spruce

Norway Spruce Tree Care Westchester County

Full and green all year round, the Norway Spruce is a beautiful addition to your Westchester home!  You may recognize the Norway Spruce as being your Christmas tree!  The Norway Spruce’s dense branching pattern and tolerance of soil variations make it a popular choice.

Blue Spruce Westchester Tree Life

The Blue Spruce is also a beautiful alternative to the Norway Spruce!

English Walnut Tree

English Walnut Tree Westchester Tree Life

Have you considered adding a nut tree to your Westchester property?  The English Walnut Tree is a classic selection which, once fully grown, will offer shade and (hopefully) delicious walnuts!

Crabapple Trees

Crabapple Westchester Tree Life

Add a pop of color to your yard with a Crabapple tree (or two, or three)!  These trees yield beautiful blossoms come springtime and crabapples during fall and winter.  Bright and beautiful, your tree’s crabapples will provide much appreciated sustenance for passing and hungry birds!

Black Locust Trees

Black Locust Westchester Tree Life

Both statuesque and whimsical, Black Locust trees are beautiful and offer golden leaves come fall time!  The beautiful compound leaves of a Black Locust tree will be interesting for you and your loved ones to admire.

What kind of trees are you considering planting this year?  Let Westchester Tree Life’s plant health care professionals assist you with planting your new tree.  We can assist in choosing the best place for you to plant your tree, assist you in testing the soil and more!

To contact Westchester Tree Life, fill out our FREE online consultation form.

A Warm Winter’s Effects on Plants

With December 2015’s warm weather keeping our area from freezing temperatures, some of us are wondering what a warm winter’s effects on plants will be come spring.  How are plants, trees and shrubs reacting to the unusually warm temperature and is there anything we can do about it?  Westchester Tree Life weighs in on a warm winter’s effects on plants.

Winter Outlook 2015 2016

Winter Outlook 2015 – 2016 via weather.com

Determining Your Plant’s Health

When attempting to determine whether your plants, trees and shrubs are reacting adversely to the unusually warm temperatures, take into consideration the type of plant, the plant’s needs and the location which they are rooted.  How quickly cold temperatures come and go, how low the temperature drops and other environmental factors also come into play when determining how your plants are affected by a warm winter in.

A Sudden Drop in Temperature

Warm Winter Plants Dying Westchester Tree Life

via gardeningknowhow.com

One of the most important factors to consider when attempting to determine your plant’s health in regards to a warm winter, are sudden temperature drops.  A sudden drop in temperature following warm weather can severely stress out plants.  Once usual winter temperatures begin to stabilize, most plants should acclimate fairly well.

Plants Budding During Winter

Mild winter temperatures and exposure to sun for a longer period of time may result in some of your plants budding during winter.  If this happens, it may yield deadly for your plant.

Have questions?  Need  professional plant health care?

Call Westchester Tree Life at  (914) 238-0069 or contact us 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.

Plant Health Care

At Westchester Tree Life, we are devoted to the care of all of the plants on your property, not just your trees.  Plant health care is our business and expertise.  When it comes to caring for the plants around your property, we can not only advise you on species choices and layout, but on landscaping and maintaining the overall beauty of your yard.

plant health care 3How does plant health care improve your entire property?  When you focus on all of the plantings in your yard, from shrubs and turf grass to flower beds and trees.  All of these elements are linked.  When you treat your lawn or your flower beds, it affects your trees.  When you apply a treatment to your trees, it can affect your lawn.  The spread of tree roots may impact a wide area of your yard including nearby flower beds.  Diseases and pests can spread from one plant to another.  It helps to look at your yard as its own ecosystem, rather than a series of different plants.

plant health careHaving an arborist address the care of all of your plants is smart idea for many reasons.  An arborist will advise you on how treatments for trees can affect the rest of your yard.  He or she can assist you with determining soil quality, fertilization, landscaping, pest control, and the planting of trees and shrubs.  Westchester Tree Life offers all of these services and more.

New life

If you have questions about how an arborist can assist with plant health care on your property, give us a call and we will be happy to set up a consultation!

Westchester Tree Life: Tree Care in Westchester County

Westchester Tree Life, Inc., has been providing quality affordable tree care in Westchester County since 1985 and boasts an extremely satisfied clientele. We feel that it is our knowledgeable, experienced staff that sets us above the competition. Licensed and certified arborists, as well as members of the Tree Care Industry of America, International Society of Arboriculture, and New York State Arborists, are what make our staff one in which you can place your utmost trust and confidence in.

Voted the Best Tree Care in Westcheter County, NY by Westchester Magazine!

Voted the Best Tree Care in Westcheter County, NY by Westchester Magazine!

We support our employees to continue to learn, grow and excel in their work through workshops and seminars which allows us to stay on the cutting edge of the tree care industry. It is because of our dedication to the tree care industry, hard work and natural love of trees that our business continues to flourish.

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

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

We are committed to…

  • Providing our customers with the highest quality tree care possible, using the most efficient environmentally friendly methods available, all the while adhering to strict safety standards.
  • Completing each job on time, for the quoted price, while exceeding our clients’ expectations.
  • Staying on the forefront of our industry, and always striving for excellence in Professional tree care.
  • Ensuring the safety of our staff with an ongoing comprehensive safety program.

Westchester Tree Life is proud to participate in assisting and volunteering in the community and charities. The following are Westchester Tree Life’s most recent volunteer projects:

 

Summer Pruning

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 pruningSummer 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.

summer pruning 3There 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.

summer pruning 2Keep 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.