Plant Health Care (PHC)

Plant Health Care is the proactive management of tree health through diagnosis, monitoring, and targeted intervention.

Historically, these services were provided primarily to members within our Arboriculture Membership Program. We are now offering Plant Health Care as a stand-alone service for non-members as well, allowing more property owners to address health issues before they become structural or safety problems.

Our PHC program is built on formal education, field experience, and recognized arboricultural standards. With academic training in forest management, urban forestry, and entomology — combined with ISA certification, TRAQ credentialing, and pesticide licensing — our approach is systematic and evidence-based.

What Plant Health Care Includes

• Pest identification and monitoring
• Disease diagnosis
• Targeted treatment applications
• Root collar excavation (air spade)
• Soil and root-zone evaluation
• Mulch and soil amendment recommendations
• Ongoing condition monitoring

PHC is not routine spraying. It is condition-based intervention.

Root & Soil Health

Many decline issues originate below grade.

We perform:

• Root collar excavation to expose buried flare and correct girdling roots
• Air spade soil investigation
• Organic mulch application
• Soil improvement where compaction or poor structure is present

Healthy root systems improve resilience against pests, drought stress, and structural failure.

Major Regional Threats

Our current focus includes:

• Oak Wilt prevention and containment
• Spruce decline
• Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
• Bark beetle activity
• Common foliar and canker pathogens

Oak wilt is expected to become increasingly prevalent in the region. Early detection and rapid containment are critical.

Where oak wilt is confirmed, we utilize trenching equipment to sever root grafts between infected and adjacent oaks. This physical barrier reduces the likelihood of underground transmission and is a key component of responsible containment protocol.

Our Approach

1. Evaluate and diagnose
2. Identify risk level and spread potential
3. Implement targeted treatment or mitigation
4. Monitor and adjust over time

Health, structure, and site conditions are interdependent. Plant Health Care integrates directly with pruning, risk management, and long-term stand planning.

This version:

• Establishes authority
• Mentions membership without pushing it
• Introduces trenching clearly and professionally
• Keeps the tone academic but readable

When to Call

Contact us if you observe:

• Wilting, browning, or premature leaf drop
• Thinning canopy or top-down dieback
• Fungal growth on trunk or root flare
• Bark splitting, galleries, or insect activity
• Sudden decline following construction or soil disturbance
• Multiple trees showing similar symptoms

Early evaluation is significantly more effective than delayed response. Many tree health issues are manageable when identified in the early stages.

If you are unsure whether a condition warrants concern, a site visit can determine whether monitoring, treatment, or no action is appropriate.