Plant health care plan in April
You should make a plant health care plan in April
Often, homeowners hire lawn care companies to maintain their landscaping and trees just because it is simpler to deal with a single business. Managing turf is drastically different from proper tree or shrub care because there are so many different varieties of plants with very specific care requirements.
The TCIA website treecaretips.org ( PHC Is Health Insurance for Your Trees and Shrubs – Tree Care Tips ) sums it up well, “Attempting to force beauty onto trees and shrubs with bad pruning methods and overzealous spraying for pests is a haphazard approach that wastes time and money,” says Tchukki Andersen, BCMA, CTSP and staff arborist for the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA). “The result is usually only sickly plants to show for all that effort.”
“A plant health care (PHC) program is like health insurance for your trees and shrubs. It can take the struggle out of your landscape work and give you back the time you envisioned having to enjoy the results,” she says.
What is plant health care?
Providing proper care begins with a plan that is based upon the plant’s cultural requirements like water and sunlight as well as some specific preventative practices like insect and disease applications.
A PHC (plant health care) program must include specialized monitoring by knowledgeable and experienced problem-solvers that can identify each plant and cater to their needs. Homeowners should allocate a maintenance budget that guarantees proper care for their expensive trees and landscape plantings. Generally, proper care is less expensive than replacement. PHC providers will also assist homeowners learn how to properly water and prune shrubs and trees.
How does PHC work?
Ultimately, a PHC program should be focused on providing proper cultural conditions for the plants. Unfortunately, landscapes often consist of plants that are not suited for the soil and exposure in which they are installed. Landscape companies install plants and trees that appeal aesthetically to clients instead of choosing plants that will tolerate and thrive in less than ideal conditions. Plant health problems are usually caused by environmental stresses like saturated soils or desiccation. Healthy plants and trees are capable of using their natural defenses to fight off disease pathogens and insects. A stressed tree will be highly susceptible to insect attacks and may need insecticides.
“PHC technicians work closely with homeowners to reduce those tree stressors and manage pest problems before they become harmful,” says Andersen. “Managing plant pests and problems rather than eliminating them offers a proactive and holistic approach to maintaining tree and shrub health.”
What company can provide PHC?
A company that specializes in tree and landscape care will have trained arborists with the knowledge and experience to proactively prevent or manage plant and soil conditions.
What are the treatments?
Common lawn care chemicals are not labeled or recommended for use on landscape plants and trees. Most lawn care regimes apply pesticide or fertilizer applications on a rigid schedule regardless if there is a pest present or the soil lacks proper nutrients.
PHC programs should target specific pests and diseases with safe and effective treatments that pose a limited threat to the surrounding environment. By employing integrated pest management techniques, the frequency of treatments are reduced.
Plant health care providers often investigate other issues and offer remedies that may be equally important and far more cost effective:
- Restoration pruning to encourage new growth
- Mulching bare soil beneath tree canopies
- Soil or foliar testing for nutrient deficiencies or toxicities
- Adjust irrigation schedules
- Repair drainage problems
- Choose more appropriate plants or trees
But can it help my trees?
Most people want to know what the pest problems or the overall problems are in their landscape. Your PHC provider observes your trees and shrubs for changes in their health and will work closely with you to devise solutions. A custom-designed PHC program for your trees and shrubs will, over time, provide a beautiful and healthy landscape that will add value to your home.
Find a professional
Certified arborists like the ones at Gerrein Green, rely upon their experience and knowledge to address or prevent plant health care problems. Certified arborists are dedicated to providing services based upon research and industry standards. Landscape companies often lack the knowledge and time to properly consult with homeowners about long-term best practices for sustainable landscape maintenance since their revenue depends on new installations and annual mulching services.
Contact Gerrin Green: We have Certified Arborists that are trained to recognize the economic, environmental, and societal benefits and values of trees. Working with homeowners and property owners allow our arborist to share knowledge and evaluate the need for prescribed care at a cost that demonstrates the wise stewardship of resources.
Tree specialist Northern Kentucky