Trees and plants naturally survive in forests with little to no human intervention. However, plant life in urban areas is different, as communities must try to balance modernization and preservation. With all the man-made factors involved, it also falls on people to protect and support the plants’ healthy growth. This is what Plant Health Care (PHC) is all about— making proactive efforts to sustain the good health of the trees and plants on your landscape.
Read on to learn more about plant health care and how to apply it to the plant life present in your property.
What is Plant Health Care (PHC)?
Plant Health Care, or PHC, is a holistic approach to plant and tree care that focuses on healthy plants rather than on the pests that threaten them.
Cultivating crops and trees meant waging war with pests using toxic chemicals.
This was the common practice until scientist Rachel Carson published “Silent Spring” in 1962, warning of the adverse effects of continuous pesticide applications.
This led to the ban of synthetic insecticide DDT and the rise of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system, which monitors and manages pest populations.
In the 1990s, the top arboricultural organizations finally introduced the concept of Plant Health Care.
While part of it uses IPM, Plant Health Care’s primary goal is to sustain the good health of the landscape.
Its stronger resistance becomes the main deterrent against pests and diseases rather than relying on pest control.
It’s just like a person actively trying to stay healthy and avoid diseases, while other people would only act once health issues arise.
How Does Plant Health Care Work?
Don’t mistake PHC for your usual plant and tree maintenance. It goes beyond regular watering, basic lawn care, and routine pruning.
PHC programs are crafted by certified arborists, who tailor them specifically based on your landscape’s condition.
Here are the steps involved in a plant health care program done by professionals:
Landscape Assessment
After the property owner contacts a tree care company for a PHC service, a plant health care specialist arrives on site to evaluate the landscape.
The arborist checks the health of plants and trees, conducts soil testing, and notes the overall environmental conditions.
We particularly look for existing and potential problems, such as pests and environmental stressors like drought or poor drainage.
Customized Care Plan
Based on the findings, your arborist will develop a year-round plan to address the landscape’s health problems and further improve the environment for your trees and plants.
Your PHC program often includes:
- Informed plant selection.
- Water management.
- Strategic pruning.
- Tree and plant disease control.
- Soil amendments to treat nutrient deficiencies.
- Mulching to avoid soil erosion and compaction.
- Preventive care against pest infestations and IPM.
- Addressing damages caused by lawnmowers and cultural practices.
Regular Monitoring
You need consistency to grow a healthy landscape. With PHC’s proactive approach, even healthy trees and plants need routine arborist check-ups.
This will immediately detect and treat any early signs of environmental stress, pest issues, and diseases.
You’ll also receive updated recommendations on how to support your landscape plants’ healthy growth better.
Benefits of Plant Health Care
Plant health care benefits your landscape directly and contributes to the well-being of your community’s urban ecosystem.
Here are some advantages of a healthy landscape under a PHC program.
Environmental Benefits
Being proactive about your plants’ health, which reduces the use of chemicals to stop pest problems, is always a win for the environment.
Apply this to crops and fruit trees, and you get less pesticide in the food chain.
When healthy trees thrive, you also get better air quality and help fight climate change.
When storms strike, trees can mitigate the effects of storms by catching high winds and lowering the risk of floods.
Practical Benefits
Plants and trees on your property can also improve your quality of life.
Through professional pruning and landscaping, you can manage the airflow, sunlight penetration, and space for outdoor activities within your yard.
This also makes your home safer, resisting damage from extreme weather conditions and preventing obstructions caused by overgrown branches and roots.
Economic Benefits
Aside from lowering the risk of costly damages, a healthy landscape also saves money.
Shade trees can keep your home cooler, while a thinned canopy allows more sunlight to enter, lowering your energy bills.
With a healthy landscape to show for, your property’s value also goes up.
Aesthetic Benefits
The best arborists also have an eye for an appealing yard, from each plant and tree to the overall look of your landscape.
Good plant health translates to better color, fuller growth, and more flowers, naturally enhancing your home’s curb appeal.
Your Role in Plant Health Care
A successful PHC program is achieved with efforts from expert arborists and you, the homeowner.
You can leave the comprehensive approach to the professionals while doing your part to fulfill your landscape’s needs, such as:
- Learning more about your plants and trees.
- Establishing the proper watering habits with the use of rain gauges.
- Applying mulch properly.
- Inspecting your plants for visible signs of health problems.
- Adding the right amount of compost to your soil.
Always stick by your arborist’s advice and the PHC program.
It’s your ticket to achieving your dream landscape that flourishes with healthy trees and plants.
Hire Plant Health Care Experts You Can Trust
Plant Health Care is not too complex a concept to grasp.
Yet the development and execution of PHC programs require the level of expertise that only your local arborists can provide.
Enter Ascension Tree Care, your professional tree and plant care service company serving Oakland County, Michigan.
With years of experience, up-to-date knowledge, and commitment to quality in every plant and tree service we do, you can rest assured that our ISA-certified arborists will be your perfect partners in supporting and protecting your property’s plant life.
If you’re in Milford or surrounding areas and ready to protect your trees, our Plant Health Care services can help.
