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Trout Brook Arborists: Rooted in the Community

By Irene O’Connor, Linked Media

In West Hartford’s Design District, Trout Brook Arborists is rooted in something deeper than tree care, it’s about connection.

Owner Andrew Bachman doesn’t just see his work as a service. “I really want to be a guide for people,” he says. “To help them understand how we take care of the trees at their home.” 

That mindset shapes everything the company does. Alongside business partner Ian Fay, Bachman is a certified arborist who has built a company where relationships come first. “The relationships with customers are the main thing, that’s what’s most important.”

For Bachman, the work is personal. Growing up in West Hartford, he spent his days mowing lawns and exploring the wooded paths along Trout Brook with his dog. “That’s where I really learned to appreciate nature.” That connection ultimately inspired the company’s name.

Over time, that early curiosity evolved into expertise. Bachman worked alongside master gardeners to widen his understanding of soil textures, tree health, and risk assessment. Today, Trout Brook Arborists handles everything from tree services and garden design to emergency removal and large-scale storm cleanup.

Trout Brook Arborists removing a tree. Courtesy photo

They have used their expertise after some of the region’s toughest conditions. The October 2011 ice storm was a turning point. “That was the most impactful storm around here,” Bachman says. “It pushed me into the tree business; it was a massive cleanup.” Since then, the company has responded to more than a dozen major storms, including Hurricane Isaias in 2020 and tornado damage in Connecticut.

But beyond emergencies, much of their work is preventative, educational, and based on safety. “A lot of the trees planted in the 1920s and 1950s in West Hartford are aging now,” Bachman explains. “They’re dropping dead branches. It may be time to think about pruning the trees to prevent them from damaging your home even replacing them and planting new trees.”

Education is a big part of the process, helping homeowners understand what trees and plants will thrive in their yard. Whether it’s choosing the right privacy hedge or deciding when to trim a tree, the goal is to empower clients to make informed decisions. 

“We like sharing information,” Bachman says. “It’s not just about doing the work; it’s about helping people understand what they need.”

Andrew Bachman. Courtesy photo

That also extends to the community. Trout Brook Arborists serves as forestry manager for the West Hartford Reservoir and volunteers time and services to local organizations that are youth or spiritually oriented including the YMCA, Chabad House, and the Westminster Presbyterian Church. “They have land to manage and that’s our way of paying it forward,” Bachman says.

At its core, the company mixes technical skill with a hands-on, personal approach. From layered garden design to managing hazardous trees, every project reflects what Bachman describes as a balance of knowledge and artistry.

“It’s a living, dynamic thing,” he says of the work. “And it’s satisfying to bring that to life.”

Trout Brook Arborists continues to evolve, but its identity remains the same: a knowledgeable, community-focused team that still sees itself as “the neighborhood guys,” just with a deeper understanding of the landscape they call home.

Courtesy image