Tag Archives: westchester new york

Anatomy of a Tree

How knowledgeable are you when it comes to the anatomy of a tree?  Being able to identify parts of a tree is helpful in identifying tree illnesses and safety hazards.  Tweet your tree anatomy questions at us: “@westchestertree”.

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Starting from the Bottom:  The Root System

A healthy root system makes for a healthy tree!  The purpose of the tree’s root system is to anchor the tree, as well as absorb water and minerals from the soil.  There are two kinds of roots, large perennial roots and small, short-lived “feeder” roots.

Did You Know:  Tree roots are typically found in the top three feet of soil.

The Five Parts of a Tree Trunk

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Did you know a tree trunk has five parts?  A tree trunk is comprised of the outer bark, the inner bark, the cambium cell layer, sapwood and heartwood!  

The heartwood is the innermost layer of the tree trunk, and acts as the supporting pillar of the tree.  Though the heartwood is technically dead, it does not decay or lose strength while the outer layers of the tree are intact.  Heartwood is a composite of hollow, needlelike cellulose fibers which are bound together by a chemical-like glue, lignin, making it almost as strong as steel.

The layer which covers the heartwood is the sapwood, which later hardens and turns into heartwood.  Sapwood acts as the trees pipeline for water, helping it move up to the tree’s leaves.

After the sapwood is the cambium cell layer.  The cambium cell layer annually produces new barn and wood in response to auxins, the hormones which are passed down through the tree.  Auxins stimulate growth in cells and are produced by leaf buds at the ends of a tree’s branches.

Next is the Phloem, or the inner bark, which acts as the pipeline for food.  The Phloem only lives for a short time before turning to cork; this cork is part of the tree’s protective outer bark.

Lastly is the outer bark, which protects the tree from the outside world.  This outermost later helps keep out moisture and prevents the tree from losing moisture; the outer bark also insulates against extreme temperatures.

Branches, Twigs and Leaves

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A tree’s branches and twigs spring out of the trunk and are the supportive structure for leaves, flowers and fruit.  Through the process of photosynthesis, leaves make food for the tree and release oxygen into the air.

Fire Pit Design

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.

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.

Outdoor Tree Decorating Service

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!

Westchester Tree Life’s Live Christmas Tree Service

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.

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Environmentally-Friendly

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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.

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Christmas Tree Decor

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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.

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via Dream Book Design

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via The Sweetest Thing

Planting a Late-Summer Vegetable Garden

Put your green thumb to the test this autumn by planting a late-summer vegetable garden!  There is nothing more rewarding than creating your own garden, especially if it yields produce you can cook with!  Here are some great late-summer vegetable garden plants for you to add to your Westchester home.

Root Vegetables

Root Vegetable Garden Westchester Tree Life

Root vegetables are best planted during the late summer, and come to maturity during the cooler fall months.  This is the perfect time to plant radishes, turnips, beets and carrots.  Bunching onions such as scallions and garlic chives are also wonderful additions to your garden, and will be perfect for winter soups and stews!

Roasted Radishes

Roasted Radishes via kitchn

Get this Roasted Radishes recipe here.

Add Greens

Greens Westchester Tree Life

The health benefits of kale are very trendy right now!  Make sure you get your serving of greens by adding some to your garden!  Now is the perfect time to plant kale, broccoli, cabbage, collard greens and swiss chard!

Read how to freeze your extra greens here.

When to Plant What

Cool Season Vegetable Crop GuideThis is a great guide for mapping out your late-summer garden!  If you have missed any of the dates for your zone, simply bookmark this for next year!

Summer Landscape Checklist

Maintaining a beautiful and healthy lawn this summer is easy with our summer landscape checklist!  Our team of professionally trained arborists are here to assist you with any chores you have on your summer landscape checklist.  To request an online consultation, click here.

Prune Trees & Shrubs

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Summertime is the ideal time to prune trees and shrubs!  Removing dead, damaged and diseased branches from your trees helps to prevent insect and decay from infecting your tree.  The thinning of a dense tree canopy increases the tree’s airflow and sunlight, which results in fewer diseases and maladies.  Properly pruning your trees and shrubs can be tricky, if you’ve never done it before; call Westchester Tree Life at (914) 238-0069 to schedule a pruning service.

Landscaping

Landscaping Westchester

Keep your lawn looking it’s best with landscaping services this summer.  Taking the time to map out your yard’s landscape will keep maintenance streamlined and stress-free.  If you are unable to maintain a neatly manicured landscape, schedule landscaping services!

Remove Tree Stumps

Stump Grinding Westchester New York

Tree stumps can be an eyesore.  Westchester Tree Life has the equipment and professional training to safely remove tree stumps!  Removing a tree stump will make all the difference to your landscape!

View all Westchester Tree Life’s Services here.

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.

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Call Westchester Tree Life today for organic fertilization!

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.

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.