Plant Health Care
Plant Health Care improves the appearance, vitality and safety of trees.
Service Offered
- Tree Fertilization
- Systemic Insecticides
- Tree Spraying
- Deep Root Watering
- Tree Growth Regulators
Common Insect And Diseases
- Caterpillars
- Turpentine Beetle
- Whiteflies
- Aphids
- Fireblight
- Anthracnose
The base of a tree can often be overlooked, but paying close attention can help a tree thrive. Using proper ground cover, such as correctly applied mulch, can significantly benefit a tree by conserving moisture, moderating soil temperature, reducing competition from turf, and protecting the root zone from damage caused by lawn equipment.
This is especially important because trees depend heavily on fine feeder roots located near the soil surface. These roots are essential for absorbing water and nutrients. When this root zone becomes compacted, damaged, overly dry, or overcrowded by grass, a tree’s health can gradually decline.
A properly installed mulch ring can support healthier root conditions, but it must be done correctly. Excessive mulch or mulch piled directly against the trunk can lead to moisture retention issues, decay, and other health concerns.
Depth, placement, and material all matter which is why professional guidance can be valuable in protecting your trees in the long term.
Fertilization is not always the solution when a tree appears stressed. In many cases, a tree may be suffering from compaction, root injury, drainage issues, overwatering, underwatering, planting depth problems, or site-related stress rather than a nutrient deficiency.
However, there are situations where fertilization is beneficial — particularly in nutrient-depleted soils, disturbed landscapes, or sites where trees are not receiving the organic inputs they would naturally benefit from in a healthier ecosystem.
Determining whether fertilization is appropriate requires careful observation and sometimes soil analysis. The goal is not to overfeed a tree, but to assess whether the soil environment is supporting healthy growth and whether targeted fertilization can improve vigor, resilience, and overall health.
Our team of qualified arborists understand when fertilization is helpful, when it is unnecessary, and how to develop recommendations based on both tree condition and site-specific factors.
Deep root watering helps trees with drought stress. Systemic insecticide treatment and trunk injections keep your trees healthy and pest free! Tree growth regulators increase root hair growth, reduces water vapor loss and aids tree in withstanding urban stress.
Please contact us to speak with one of our Certified Arborists or QAL experts at Bay Area Tree Specialists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you provide tree health assessments or disease diagnostics?
- Tree health assessments
- Disease and pest diagnosis
- Tree risk evaluation and recommendations
- Arborist reports when needed (for planning, permitting, or documentation)
Do you offer tree fertilization and mulching services?
Yes. We provide tree fertilization and proper mulching as part of our Plant Health Care approach. These practices improve nutrient availability, soil health, moisture retention, and root protection.
Do you provide long-term tree management plans?
Yes. We develop proactive tree management plans. Typically 5 year plans with tree tagging and mapping, designed to improve safety, preserve canopy, control long-term costs, and support responsible asset management.
Do you offer regular tree maintenance programs?
How much do tree maintenance plans cost?
- Number of trees and service frequency
- Species, size, access, and risk level
- Disposal needs and site constraints