Tuesday, June 21, 2016

The Cost of Skipping Plant Health Care Services

cherry tree bloomsHow much is that shade tree worth to you? How would you feel if it was gone in a year from now? You know the neighbors on the other side of your privacy plantings or hedge? What would your backyard be like if those plants were suddenly gone? How much do you think it would cost to remove and replace that gorgeous, 20 ft. tall flowering tree that is the focal point of your front yard?

You could attach a figure to tree removal and tree planting, but the true value of your landscape plantings exceeds that number. This is especially true for a mature landscape. You simply cannot replace the 40 ft. shade tree. The new hedge you plant will take years to grow together. Buying a single, large ornamental tree could cost you thousands. They are irreplaceable.

White PinesWhy is my Pine tree turning brown? Why is that white stuff all over my Cherry tree? Why do all the leaves fall off my Crabapple in mid-summer? Why didn’t my Dogwood get any leaves this year? These are just a few of the hundreds of common questions our Certified Arborists get each year while visiting with property owners and managers. All of a sudden, a clue arises that something just isn’t right with a plant.

Good News:  A lot of the problems that eventually can kill or disfigure a trees, shrubs, and other landscape plants can be prevented with a customized Plant Health Care program.

The Bad News:  Most people wait until it’s too late.

japanese beetles on leafThe truth is that it’s not a matter of IF something will damage your trees and shrubs, it’s WHEN. For many varieties of plants, problems are extremely likely. If you’re going to plant:  Arborvitae, Ashes, Azaleas, Birches, Boxwoods, Cherries, Cotoneaster, Crabapples, Dogwoods, Douglas Firs, Euonymus, Firs, Hemlocks, Hollies, Honeylocusts, Junipers, Lilacs, Magnolias, Maples, Oaks, Pachysandra, Pines, Purpleleaf Plums, Pyracanthas, Redbuds, Rhododendrons, Roses, Spruces, Sycamores, Tulip Trees, or Yews you WILL see problems with plants. It’s just a matter of time.

Just because your plant didn’t show up on this list, doesn’t mean it’s in the clear. This is just a list of the most likely to be damaged on a regular basis. Virtually every plant on your property has a varying susceptibility to insect, disease, mite, or nutritional challenges. Most people assume that if everything looks fine, it is fine. The problem is that by the time you realize there is a problem, damage is already happening.

Preventive Plant Health Care Costs Less

arborvitae hedgeCase Scenario 1:  If you could spray that hedge of 30 Arborvitae, one time a year for bagworms for $100 (for example) and know that it wouldn’t be destroyed by bagworms, why wouldn’t you? Removing 30 Arborvitae, grinding their stumps, removing the grinding debris, and planting a new hedge (new 6 ft. tall now instead of the 12 ft. hedge you had) may run you approximately $5000, give or take.

ash treeCase Scenario 2:  If you could get your 50 ft. Ash tree injected every other year for $400 (approximately) and keep it alive for many  more years even with Emerald Ash Borer in Lancaster County, why wouldn’t you? It sure would be cheaper than paying the $3000 to remove it and replace it with a new shade tree that only measures up to about 15 ft. and will take 30 years to get the size of the Ash again.

boxwoodsCase Scenario 3:  Even on the smallest of tasks, tearing out the three, 4 ft. Boxwoods beside your porch, hauling them to the compost facility, going to a nursery and buying 3 new Boxwoods (now at about 2 ft) for $150, and spending half or better of your Saturday is costly. You could have had those Boxwoods treated along with your trees for a nominal increase while the technician was there a couple times throughout the year, instead of seeing them now destroyed by Boxwood Leafminer damage that has been occurring for the past 4 years unbeknownst to you.

How Much Does Plant Health Care Cost?

tree sprayingThe factors that impact pricing are:  species of plants, current problems, number of plants, size of plants, and layout of property. Every property is completely unique. When we visit a property to design a custom Plant Health Care program, the treatment schedule is driven by the species of plants. Each issue with each plant needs assessed and considered for standard measures or additional treatments. Depending upon how long the Tree & Shrub Care technician will be on the property and the amount of materials required, cost will be influenced. The layout of the property also is a factor in how long a visit can take.

There are immediate concerns, probable issues, and additional improvements and enhancements to plant health. This may also influence what treatments are proposed for each plant health issue. Our Certified Arborists design a customized plan to address issues throughout the year on various issues and price them accordingly on their proposal. These treatments may employ a number of tactics such as:  Insecticide Sprays, Miticide Sprays, Fungicide Sprays, Soil-Applied Systemic Insecticide Treatments, Granular or Liquid Fertilization, Tree Injection, Winter Protection Sprays. We will be happy to explain any of these applicable treatments and how they can help your plants.

If you would like a FREE consultation about the health of trees, shrubs, and plants on your property, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Consider what your trees and shrubs are truly worth to you. Preventatively caring for these plants can help your landscape to be healthier and live for many years to come.

Chad Diller - BIO

Let’s Talk About Your Plant Health Care Needs!

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