Plant Health Care
(PHC)
If you’re not sure where to begin, contact us to schedule an appointment for a free quote which includes our:
Complimentary Tree Health Assessment
and
Level 1 Tree Risk Assessment.
Plant Health Care (PHC) is a holistic approach to tree care, recognized by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
PHC includes everything we do to care for trees from the time we choose a planting site.
Diagnosis of Tree Disorders and Pests
We developed two levels of Tree Health Assessment to diagnose both biotic and abiotic tree disorders and recommend management plans for eradicating or suppressing disease.
Common pests and disorders include Verticillium wilt, chlorosis, drought stress, planting too deeply, borers, aphids, scale, and other insects.
Complimentary Tree Health Assessment
This is the starting point for all tree care services our company provides, and it’s complimentary as part of a free quote appointment.
We Identify your trees, note any obvious pests, disorders, defects, or conditions affecting tree health and risk, and make recommendations for services or further assessment/testing if necessary.
Advanced Tree Health Assessment
This is a more comprehensive assessment of tree health than our complimentary version. It may require soil testing, plant tissue lab analysis, insect species identification for an accurate diagnosis of tree disorders. It may also include a written report, monitoring, and an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan, depending on your needs.
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Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
IPM is the use of cultural, mechanical, chemical, and biological management methods to keep your trees healthy. Our IPM plans may recommend deep watering, mulching, pruning affected branches, maintaining habitat and nesting sites for beneficial predators, as well as the use of systemic pesticides and biorational pesticides when appropriate.
Systemic Pesticides
We prefer to use modern systemic pesticides rather than more traditional contact insecticides. Systemic pesticides are absorbed by a tree’s vascular system and treat the entire tree. There are many benefits to this type of application. Treatments can last for 1-3 years so the timing doesn’t have to be as precise, and repeat applications are less frequent or unnecessary. There is little to no risk of pesticide runoff and drift that is common with contact pesticides.
Fertilization
To maintain health and normal growth, trees require healthy soil containing essential nutrients and organic matter. We recommend soil testing to determine if your trees can be improved through fertilization. We offer several kinds of slow-release fertilizers as needed.
OMRI Listed Organic Products and
Biorational Pesticides
On fruit trees and when specially requested, we use products such as Azasol, a trunk-injectable systemic insecticide that is OMRI Listed® Organic, as well as other insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils, and botanical pesticides.
Bracing Installation
Trees with structural flaws have the potential for branch failure. In addition to risk of injury and damage, branch failure can increase the risk of disease and insect damage. We install bracing systems like the Cobra Dynamic Bracing System to limit tree movement and reduce the likelihood of failures.
ISA Tree Risk Assessment
Tree Risk Assessment is the systematic process used to calculate tree risk. Tree Risk is a function of the likelihood of occurrence plus the severity of potential consequences caused by the failure of tree structures. Potential consequences include personal injury, property damage, or disruption of activities.
There are three levels of tree risk assessment used to balance the risks and benefits of trees. We use the specific methodology developed by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and defined in ANSI A300 Tree Risk Assessment standards.
Level 1:
Limited Visual Assessment
A Limited Visual Assessment is used to identify obvious defects and conditions that warrant mitigation or further assessment. We look for dead trees, large cavities, dead or broken branches, wood decay fungi, cracks, leans, included bark, topping, and more. They are usually done quickly as a walk-by and do not include a written report.
Level 2:
Basic
Assessment
A Basic Assessment is a detailed visual inspection from the ground level that includes a written report and risk ratings. It may recommend mitigation measures and/or further assessment.
Level 3:
Advanced
Assessment
We provide aerial inspection by climbing for more detailed information on upper crown conditions.
Tree Planting
To ensure proper planting techniques, have your tree planted by an ISA Certified Arborist. Common planting mistakes can result in slow growth rates, predispose trees to disease and shorter lifespans, and even result in tree failure. Our plantings include:
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Root ball preparation (trunk flare exposure, root ball shaving, root spreading)
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Planting hole preparation (proper depth, width, shape, and deglazing)
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Coarse wood-chip mulch applied to the root zone
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Staking only when necessary
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Corrective pruning to remove damaged branches, and improve structure.
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Application of NutriRoot, a unique blend of nutrients, seaweed extract, humic acid, surfactants, and humectants designed to increase root development and reduce water stress.
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Treegator® Slow Release Watering Bag
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Cleanup and removal of excess dirt