Every year around my birthday, I schedule my annual physical exam. This ensures that, while I may be feeling good, my doctor can run basic diagnostic tests and monitor subtle changes from year to year. Anything abnormal gets a further look.
So, when was the last time your yard had a proper check-up? Can’t Remember?
Just like people, plants need periodic examinations and treatments to help prolong their health. Plant health care (PHC) is a vital part of landscape management with preventative care including regular check-ups, proper pruning, and regular watering. Natural tree defences can be strengthened. Energy that would normally be used up fighting stressful factors can instead be utilized to build up defence systems. A Certified Arborist, or a tree doctor, can provide expert advice.
Professionals will alert you to any existing or anticipated problems. They will identify threshold levels of bugs or diseases nearby. Since most pests and diseases are secondary to poor overall health, it is important to find the underlying factors to restore tree health. They may suggest treatment options and alternatives – just like a doctor would a patient. The best choices usually involve cultural and natural processes and can be as simple as adjusting your watering plan or removing infected branches. Chemical treatments could be used when thresholds are high. Homeowners and professionals should work together to decide what is best for the yard. A trained professional will look for structural defects, pests, past pruning and planting methods, growth rate, and competition from other plants. Trees often take several seasons to ‘look sick’ or have noticeable deadwood – sometimes I must conclude it is too late to reverse.
Sometimes, remedies can be employed after a tree is in advanced decline. These practices are sometimes unsuccessful because it is just too late so an honest cost benefit discuss should ensue. Proactive PHC programs cost less than reactive interventions because they help ensure the health and beauty of plants and landscapes, lowering maintenance costs and increasing property values. Whether you have established trees or have new landscaping, begin by understanding all you can about the species of tree or shrub on your property: how big it will be, what it needs, what pests and disease can impact it.
“The long-term savings is virtually guaranteed,” ISA Executive Director, Jim Skiera says. “Not only will a PHC program enhance the well-being of plants, but it also will improve the mood and bank account of the homeowner.”
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