OUR PLANT HEALTH CARE PROGRAM

    The most common reason a tree owner calls Tree Works 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: Our Plant Health Care Program

    Situations such as these led Tree Works to create our Plant Health Care
    (PHC) program. The objective of our 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. Our Plant Health Care program involves monitoring,
    using preventive treatments, and adopting a strong commitment to working
    closely with you, the tree owner. Best of all enrollment in our program is
    absolutely free and entitles you to complimentary monitoring of your
    plants by our ISA certified arborists. The only time you will be charged is
    for remedial work as required and only after the work has been authorized
    by you.
    Why Plant Health Care, Not Tree Health Care?
    While trees are dominant ornamental features in your home landscape,
    they share this area 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 Tree Works 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. We
    have the experience and training to detect many potential tree and shrub
    problems before they become life threatening or hazardous. In addition,
    our Certified Arborists can make tree and shrub recommendations, such
    as species selection and placement, to keep many problems from occurring
    in the first place. We 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 and a lawn in a single growing season, but it can take a lifetime or
    more to replace a mature tree.
    What Does your Tree and Shrub PHC Program Cover?
    Every home landscape is unique, so there is no standard PHC program. All
    of our Plant Health Care programs do have features in common, however.
    First, PHC involves monitoring tree and shrub health. This step 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, we can 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. Tree Works will give you information
    about your trees and shrubs. This information 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 your 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.
    Our Plant Health Care specialists 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 treatments for most potential problems are already covered by the
    program without additional charges. Individualized programs and flexibility
    are at the heart of our PHC. You will find that we can design a Plant Health
    Care program that fits your goals and budget.