Plant Health Care (PHC)

Plant Health Care (PHC) is a landscape management tool that uses a pro-active and holistic approach to managing tree and shrub health and appearance. At its foundation, Plant Health Care is managing and maintaining a healthy ecosystem. The “world” below ground determines how well the above ground plant parts function. This  below ground “world” is referred to as the soil food web. Tree Solutions, Inc. considers this the most important component to manage.

We have an in-depth ecosystem management plan, termed Soil Restore IMO.  Here is a link to a 6 minute video describing the soil food web.  We are soil food web advisors, certified by Dr. Elaine Ingham, who some consider the Godmother of soil life education. With proper management the results are healthier plants and better aesthetics. A proactive approach to landscape management replaces the ‘crisis management’ approach to landscape management.

Plant Health Care takes the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) pest and disease management to a new level by paying special attention to the growing environment. Site management begins with a thorough site assessment, both above and below ground. A management plan can be simple, based on observations written on field notes taken while walking an area. Or by producing a site plan which shows the location of all trees and shrubs. Their current health status is described and environmental conditions are also noted. When necessary, an annual treatment plan is put into place.

The same principles of human health management are used in Plant Health Care:

  1. Preventive care for stress management
  2. Frequent monitoring
  3. Early detection of problems
  4. Informed decision making
  5. Integrated treatments to provide long-term, stable solutions
  6. Contact and communication with client

Timely visits and record keeping enable a Plant Health Care Program to offer many advantages.             For example:

  1. Pest problems may be recognized and treated early on before they advance and adversely affect tree health
  2. Disease problems can be diagnosed and in many cases, treated before causing irreversible damage
  3. Safety issues can be recognized possibly preventing future injury

Growing environment issues can be recognized and changes can be implemented to either reverse decline, or to maintain good tree health and vigor.

Plant Health Care Suggestions:

  1. Mulching bare soil beneath tree canopies
  2. Not allowing mulch to come in contact with the trunks of trees and shrubs
  3. Mitigating soil compaction
  4. Correct irrigation cycles
  5. Matching water needs of trees to adjacent plants
  6. Establishing and maintaining nutrient and soil microbiology needs

Right Tree-Right Place

Proper plant selection, site placement, and plant cultural compatibility issues should all be taken into account during the design phase and in landscape improvements. Where conflicts exist, the PHC professional must consider making changes.

It may be necessary to remove or change the location of certain plants in order to match cultural requirements or to prevent problems. Problems such as root interference with landscape and  hardscape elements for example. A common mistake is to plant a tree with shallow aggressive roots near hardscape features such as sidewalks, driveways or other pathways. For several years everything appears fine. However, as this tree matures, roots begin to upheave the hardscape features nearby. Not only does this look unsightly, but liability may become an issue. Be careful which trees you choose, as certain species are notorious for causing damage to hardscape features such as pathways.

Another point of consideration is when plants with high water requirements are located near plants adapted to a Mediterranean climate cultural conflicts occur. This may lead to decline caused by conditions that lead to pest or root disease establishment. Naturally occurring pathogenic fungal organisms in the soil may be triggered by over-watering during summer months. Knowledge of the cultural conditions and growing environment management is key to long-term preservation of specimen trees in the integrated landscape.

Example: Plant Health Care Management Program

1 – Environmental analysis of the site

  1. Soil pH
  2. Plant available soluble fertility components
  3. Soil microbiology status
  4. Soil drainage
  5. Soil compaction
  6. Define site micro-climates
  7. Determine exposure

2 – Defining the physical characteristics of the site:

  1. Site plan with property boundaries, structures, other characteristics plotted
  2. Location of utility cables and pipes
  3. Definition of view corridors

3 – Plant inventory

  1. Inventory major trees and shrubs
  2. Assessment of the relationship of tree and shrub locations
  3. Detailed description of health conditions
  4. Detailed description of physical conditions
  5. Urgent treatment recommendations
  6. Treatment and care strategies
  7. Treatment timing schedules

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We provide Plant Health Care and Certified Arborist services in:

Aptos, Big Sur, Capitola, Foster City, Hillsborough, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Monterey, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Carlos, San Jose, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz,  Saratoga, Scotts Valley, Soquel, Watsonville, Woodside and more…..call us

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