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The most common reason a tree owner calls an arborist is concern that
something is wrong with a tree. It may be that some of the leaves are
discolored, a branch has died, or perhaps the entire tree has been
dropping leaves. Sometimes the cause of concern is a minor problem
that is easily explained and corrected. Other times the problem is more
complex—with several underlying causes and a remedy that requires
treatments extending over several years. Unfortunately, there are
instances in which the problem has gone undetected for so long that
the tree cannot be helped, and the only option is removal. If an
arborist had been called earlier, perhaps the tree could have been
saved.
The Solution: Plant Health Care
Situations such as these led arborists to create Plant Health Care
(PHC) programs. The objective of PHC is to maintain or improve the
landscape’s appearance, vitality and—in the case of trees—safety,
using the most cost-effective and environmentally sensitive practices
and treatments available. Plant Health Care involves monitoring, using
preventative treatments, and adopting a strong commitment to
working closely with you, the tree owner.
Why Plant Health Care, Not Tree Health Care?
While trees are dominant ornamental features in your home landscape,
they share this stage with turfgrasses, shrubs, and bedding plants.
And all these plants have one resource in common: the soil. The roots
of trees, shrubs, turfgrass, and bedding plants intermingle and
compete for water and nutrients. In fact, the roots of a single mature
tree may extend 60 feet or more out into your lawn or flower beds.
Every treatment applied to the lawn (fertilizer and herbicide, for
example) can impact the appearance and vitality of a tree. Conversely,
treatments applied to a tree, such as pruning and fertilizing, can
influence the appearance and vitality of the underlying turfgrass. The
care of each plant in a landscape can affect the health of every plant in
that landscape.
Why Contact an Arborist for Plant Health Care?
Trees and shrubs represent a considerable long-term investment in
your landscape. With proper care, these plants can provide beautiful
surroundings, cooling shade, and many other benefits for decades.
Arborists have the experience and training to detect many potential
tree and shrub problems before they become life threatening or
hazardous. In addition, arborists can make tree and shrub
recommendations, such as species selection and placement, to keep
many problems from occurring in the first place. Arborists can also
consult with other landscape services you may use, lawn care for
example, to ensure that the treatments are coordinated and will not be
harmful to your trees and shrubs. Remember, the potential size and
longevity of trees and shrubs warrants their special attention in your
landscape. Bedding plants can be replaced in a few short weeks, a
lawn in a single growing-season, but it can take a lifetime or more to
replace a mature tree.
What Does a Tree and Shrub Plant Health Care Program
Cover?
Every home landscape is unique, so there is no standard PHC
program. Plant Health Care programs do have features in common,
however. First, PHC involves monitoring tree and shrub health. This
allows problems to be detected and managed before they become
serious. The monitoring may be as simple as annual visits to check on
a few special trees in your landscape, or it may involve more frequent
quarterly or monthly inspections of all your trees and shrubs. The
monitoring frequency and complexity of your PHC program depend on
the size and diversity of your landscape as well as your particular
landscape goals.
Second, if problems or potential problems are detected or anticipated
during a monitoring visit, your arborist will develop solutions. The
solution could be a simple change in your lawn irrigation schedule—
many trees are kept too moist—or more detailed suggestions, such as
pruning or spot applications of pesticides.
Finally, PHC involves you, the client. Your arborist will give you
information about your trees and shrubs. This ensures that decisions
are made that address your concerns and are appropriate to your
landscape budget and goals. Information may be provided through a
variety of means. Obviously, discussions and answering questions are
important means of conveying information, but many PHC programs
include written recommendations after each monitoring visit. Plant
Health Care is a program tailored to the needs of the client and his or
her trees and shrubs.
How Will My Trees and Shrubs Benefit from PHC?
Because ornamental trees and shrubs can quickly succumb to
problems, routine monitoring and timely treatments can protect your
landscape investment and reduce expenses. A monitoring visit to your
landscape might reveal:
• a hidden infestation of tent caterpillars that may soon defoliate the
ornamental crabapples in your front yard
• a weakly attached branch that may fail and damage the house
• improperly pruned shrubs that are not flowering as abundantly as
they should.
Your Plant Health Care specialist can recommend treatments and
changes in maintenance practices that can eliminate these problems
while maximizing the safety and aesthetic quality of your landscape.
What Will a PHC Program Cost?
Because each program is individually designed to fit the needs of a
particular landscape, no standard price can be given without a site
visit and assessment. You may have an interest in developing a plan
for a few key trees in your landscape or you may wish to have the
entire landscape placed on a program. PHC programs can also be
structured in different ways. For example, some programs charge a fee
for monitoring and bill each treatment separately. Other programs
have an annual fee that covers all monitoring visits for the season as
well as many potential treatments. These more comprehensive
programs provide the peace of mind in knowing that treatment for
most potential problems are already covered by the program without
additional charges.
Individualized programs and flexibility are at the heart of PHC. You will
find that your arborist can design a Plant Health Care program that fits
your goals and budget.
How Do I Choose an Arborist?
Check the phone directory for arborists who are members of
professional organizations such as the International Society of
Arboriculture (ISA), the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), or the
American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA), and also look for ISA
Certified Arborists. These credentials demonstrate a commitment to
education and to staying abreast of the latest information and
techniques. Ask for proof of insurance and references, and don’t
hesitate to check them. Remember, tree care is a substantial, long-
lasting investment in your valuable assets; take the time to select a
knowledgeable professional to care for your landscape.
For Additional Information
This brochure is one in a series published by the International Society
of Arboriculture as part of its Consumer Information Program.
Why Hire an Arborist
Tree Benefits
Tree Values
Tree Selection
Buying High Quality Trees
Avoiding Tree & Utility Conflicts
New Tree Planting
Mature Tree Care
Plant Health Care
Trees and Turf
Proper Mulching Techniques
Pruning Young Trees
Pruning Mature Trees
Why Topping Hurts Trees
Insect & Disease Problems
Avoiding Tree Damage During Construction
Treatment of Trees Damaged by Construction
