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Plant Health Care Services (PHC)

Maintaining the health and vitality of your trees and shrubs is essential for a beautiful and sustainable landscape. At Stein Tree Service, our Plant Health Care (PHC) services offer a proactive and holistic approach to ensure your plants thrive year-round. We offer Delaware and Pennsylvania residents and businesses comprehensive tree and Plant Health Care (PHC) assessment plans developed by our plant health care specialist. PHC programs emphasize the overall health and beauty of your trees and shrubs through cost-effective and environmentally friendly means.

Plant health care services consist of essential practices that can maintain the beauty of your landscape through the use of cultural and biological methods. We can inspect and monitor your trees and plants for pests and diseases before they reach damaging levels and build you a custom IPM (integrated pest management) package based on your landscape’s needs.

What is Plant Health Care?

Plant Health Care is a comprehensive strategy focusing on the overall health of your landscape plants. PHC involves regular monitoring, preventive treatments, and tailored care plans to address potential issues before they become significant problems. Our ISA Certified Arborist assesses various factors, including soil conditions, pest presence, and plant vitality, to develop customized PHC programs suited to your landscape’s unique needs.

Benefits of Our PHC Services

Early Detection and
Prevention

Regular inspections as part of a year-round PHC plan allow us to identify and manage potential threats such as pests, diseases, or environmental stressors promptly, preventing them from causing extensive damage.

Customized Care
Plans

We understand that each landscape is unique. Our arborist creates personalized care plans that consider your specific plant species, soil conditions, and aesthetic goals. Some plant health care problems are seasonal, and with an annual treatment plan, they are addressed at the right time to ensure the best results for your landscape’s plants and trees.

Environmentally Friendly Practices

We prioritize the use of organic and sustainable treatments, including OMRI-certified products and beneficial insect releases, to manage pests and enhance plant health without harming the environment.

Learn More About Plant Health Care

If your trees exhibit any of the following signs, they may benefit from a Plant Health Care program.

  • image Sudden_Oak_Death canker seeping reddish black ooze - Forest Service of of USDA
    Visible pests or disease symptoms (e.g., discolored leaves, abnormal leaf drop, or bark damage)
  • Slow growth or weak branches compared to previous years
  • Soil Evaluation is Part of Plant Health Care Services with Stein Tree Service
    Yellowing or wilting leaves, which can indicate soil nutrient deficiencies or root problems
  • Fungal growth or decay around the trunk or roots
  • Tree and plant roots | Tree Root Health | Stein Tree Service
    Soil compaction or poor drainage that can affect root health

Even if your trees appear healthy, PHC is a preventive approach, ensuring they remain strong and resilient against future issues. Regular inspections by an ISA Certified Arborist can identify potential problems before they become serious.

How Does Our PHC Process Work

1

Comprehensive
Assessment

We begin with a thorough complimentary evaluation of your landscape to determine the current health status of your plants and identify any existing or potential issues.

2

Customized Plan Development

Based on our assessment, we develop a tailored PHC program outlining the recommended treatments, monitoring schedule, and maintenance practices to promote optimal plant health.

3

Implementation and Monitoring

Our team implements the care plan, providing treatments such as fertilization, pruning, pest management, and soil amendments as needed. We conduct regular monitoring visits to assess progress and make necessary adjustments to the care plan.

Plant Health Care Services and Treatments

Our plant health care services start from the roots up, just like your plant health. We offer a fully organic OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) certified line of products along with beneficial insect releases for a natural approach to PHC. This organic practice is suggested when we evaluate a situation and find that the best course of action is to introduce an insect, such as a ladybug, to kill aphids or other invasive pests.

Our plant health care service packages range from one to six visits, depending on the individual needs of your landscape. We offer fertilization and soil testing to promote healthy, thriving plants. Some of our different packages also can include having fertilization built in.

Soil Care Services

Soil Evaluation is part of Plant Health Care Services with Stein Tree Service. Plant and tree health starts with the soil, which provides the necessary nutrients and water for the plants to thrive. Below are a few of our services that treat the soil.

Soil Evaluation

Soil is tested to ensure the proper pH levels for your plant life. 

Fertilization

We offer organic and timed-release fertilizers to allow your plants and trees to get the right nutrients on an ongoing basis. 

Mulching

Proper mulching helps plants and trees retain moisture and provides needed nutrients when breaking down. 

Root Care

Roots are the means for trees and plants to receive their nutrients, so they must be kept in good shape. Our plant health care specialist can offer tips for proper watering to allow for deeper roots, and provide services in the event that roots become damaged through soil compaction or injury.

Some of our PHC services

Seasonal Fungicidal Treatments

Many fungal plant diseases, such as anthracnose, are more effective if the fungicides are applied twice a year. Often these applications occur in spring or early summer, and this type of treatment could be a part of your plant health care services plan.

Foliar Applications

Foliar application, or application of a substance directly to the foliage(leaves) of a tree or plant, is sometimes necessary. Certain secondary nutrients can be provided in this way, without the risk of the needed substances being leached away into the soil, a common problem in soil applications. Some pesticidal treatments require foliar application as well.

Systemic Trunk Applications

Some pesticides and disease treatments work best if they are injected systemically, like some treatments recommended for Emerald Ash Borer Treatment. Systemic injections involve using a type of drill syringe to put the substance into the trunk of a tree, which allows the tree’s xylem (vascular) system to circulate the substance into the rest of the tree.

Horticultural Oil Applications

Horticultural oils are used to control or prevent infestations by certain pests, such as aphids. The oils allow treatment with a low environmental or ecological impact on the surroundings.

Deer Management

Deer are beautiful, but they can cause serious damage to trees and plant life in residential landscapes. Stein Tree Service’s PHC services include deer repellent programs aimed at controlling deer presence in your yard and protection of your valuable plant life.

Tick Control

Ticks are a threat to people because they carry diseases, such as lyme disease, so their presence in your landscape is an unwelcome one. During our regular inspections, we can identify the presence of tick infestations and determine the best way to treat them.

Any of these services can be included in your individualized treatment plan, and are also available ala carte for specific landscape problems. Proactive plant health care is a long-term investment that protects your landscape, home, and finances. Don’t wait until a tree becomes a hazard—schedule a consultation today to keep your trees and plants thriving!

Why Choose Stein Tree Service?

With over 40 years of experience, Stein Tree Service is Delaware’s oldest independently owned tree care company. Our team is comprised of ISA Certified Arborists and tree care specialists dedicated to providing exceptional service. We are committed to enhancing the beauty and health of your landscape through effective and environmentally conscious practices.

Some of the benefits of Choosing Stein Plant Health Care Services

FREE
Consultation

We offer a free consultation with our experts to evaluate your landscape and its current or potential problems. We provide a solution based on YOUR landscape needs.

Expert Care by Certified Arborist

Our arborist is ISA-certified and experienced in all types of plant and tree problems, including pests like emerald ash borer, plant and tree disease, and damaged trees.

Affordable
Care

Stein offers competitive rates for plant health care and for all our services, including tree removal and emergency storm cleanup. We provide excellent value, balancing quality service with cost-effectiveness.

Licensed and Insured

We are fully licensed and insured, protecting your interests as well as ours. While our team consists of highly experienced professionals, our comprehensive insurance coverage means you’re protected against any unforeseen incidents. 

What Our Clients Say About Us

Choosing a professional to care for your landscape’s plants and trees is a big decision, and great references can help make the choice easier. We get a lot of our business from word of mouth endorsements, because we are committed to treating your landscape like our own. See what a few of our clients have to say:

Dave Coomber
Rich Gott
Loren Lieberthal

    Frequently Asked PHC Questions

    We get a lot of questions about plant health care, so our arborist answers a few common ones below.

    How do I know if my trees need PHC?

    If your trees exhibit any of the following signs, they may benefit from a Plant Health Care program:

    • Visible pests or disease symptoms (e.g., discolored leaves, abnormal leaf drop, or bark damage)
    • Slow growth or weak branches compared to previous years
    • Yellowing or wilting leaves, which can indicate soil nutrient deficiencies or root problems
    • Fungal growth or decay around the trunk or roots
    • Soil compaction or poor drainage that can affect root health

    Even if your trees appear healthy, PHC is a preventive approach, ensuring they remain strong and resilient against future issues. Regular inspections by an ISA Certified Arborist can identify potential problems before they become serious.

    How Long Does it Take to See Results?

    The timeline for results varies depending on the type of treatment and the health of the tree:

    • Pest control treatments often show improvement within a few weeks as pest populations decrease.
    • Fertilization and soil amendments can take several months to improve tree vigor, as nutrients gradually integrate into the soil and roots.
    • Fungal and disease treatments typically require ongoing monitoring, with results visible within a growing season.
    • Pruning and structural support provide immediate safety benefits, though improved tree health is seen over time.

    A comprehensive PHC program provides long-term benefits, and consistent care ensures continued improvement and resilience.

    Is PHC Safe for Pets and Children?

    Yes! At Stein Tree Service, we prioritize eco-friendly and pet-safe treatments in our PHC programs. We use:

    • Organic and environmentally responsible products that minimize chemical exposure
    • Targeted pest control solutions that reduce harm to beneficial insects and wildlife
    • Soil and root care techniques that improve tree health naturally, without synthetic chemicals

    For any treatments requiring temporary precautions, our team will provide clear guidance to ensure the safety of your family and pets.

    What is a Certified Arborist?

    An ISA certified arborist is a tree care professional who has taken the time and effort to acquire extended training and education and has passed the certification exam through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). The extensive exam covers all aspects of tree care to ensure each Arborist has the experience and knowledge required to address all potential problems.

    Stein' Tree Service new certified arborist, Daulton Weit

    Meet our Certified Arborist

    Daulton Weit is an ISA-certified arborist with 15 years of experience in the green industry. From the Wilmington area, he got his degree in horticulture from Williamson College of the Trades in Media, Pennsylvania. Weit also has a Delaware Pesticide Applicator Certification and the Penn State Tree Climbing School Certificate. His skills, knowledge and experience make him very well-qualified to diagnose and treat soil, plant, and tree issues in local landscapes

    Our PHC Services are available in Delaware and Pennsylvania. Some of our service areas are listed below.

    Take the First Step Toward Healthier Trees – Schedule Your Free Consultation With our ISA Certified Arborist today!

    Investing in our Plant Health Care services ensures that your trees and shrubs receive the expert attention they need to flourish, adding value and aesthetic appeal to your property. Contact us today to schedule a FREE consultation and take the first step toward a healthier, more vibrant landscape.

    REQUEST A FREE, NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION