Plant Health Care
Protecting Plants from Plant Diseases and Pests
Why Plant Health Care is Essential for Your Landscape
At Earth-Wise, we believe that healthy plants are the cornerstone of a vibrant and thriving landscape. Our Plant Health Care (PHC) services are designed to provide comprehensive care tailored to the unique needs of your trees, shrubs, and plants. By focusing on preventive care, early detection, and environmentally responsible treatments, we help ensure that your landscape remains lush, resilient, and beautiful throughout the seasons.
Our Plant Health Care Services
Tree/Shrub Fertilizing
Our philosophy is to create healthy soils and better growing conditions, so your plants are more resistant to pests. Our fertilizers are a custom blend of organic products made especially for the difficult soils we find in the Aspen and Vail Valleys. Healthy soil equals healthy plants.
Trunk Injections
Trunk injections are an application method that allow us to deliver the needed product directly into the trunk of the tree. Thus, we avoid air-borne sprays and greatly reduce potential exposure to people, pets and beneficial insects. Another bonus: our trunk injection system does not require any drilling into the tree, which avoids the damage that drilling causes.
Soil Injections/Drenches
EWH regularly uses soil injections/drenches to treat a wide range of pests. These applications avoid air-borne sprays and greatly reduce potential exposure to people, pets and beneficial insects.
Basal Trunk Sprays
A basal trunk spray involves a low-volume backpack spray onto the bottom several feet of the tree. The product is then translocated throughout the tree, providing control of a wide range of pests. These applications avoid air-borne sprays and greatly reduce potential exposure to people, pets and beneficial insects.
Organic Pest Control
While not all pests can be managed with organic products, organics are a viable option for a long list of insect and disease pests. Horticultural oils, neem oil, insecticidal soaps and biopesticides such Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) offer control of many common landscape pests such as aphids, spider mites, scale insects and leaf feeding caterpillars and beetles.
Pheromones
EWH uses pheromone patches to control several beetle species – mountain pine beetle, spruce beetle and Douglas fir beetle. These patches are stapled to trees and signal the beetles that the trees have already been attacked, and they should find a different host tree. This treatment has proven effective, especially when used in conjunction with other strategies, such as clearing the property of trees that are already beetle infested.
Tree Spraying
There are times, due to the pest being treated or other application methods being cost prohibitive, that aerial spraying is the best option. When sprays are necessary, we choose products that are effective and have the least impact to the surrounding environment.
Consultations & Insect/Disease Diagnosis
EWH has a team of certified arborists who have the experience and knowledge to provide an accurate pest diagnosis and the best treatment options. Our focus is always to provide great results while maintaining an overall healthy ecosystem.
Air Spading
An air spade uses high pressure air to loosen soil, provide a less damaging way to excavate around trees and expose roots. EWH uses this tool to alleviate soil compaction, to remove soil from trees that have been planted too deep, and to locate and remove girdling roots.
Have one of our certified arborists come and design a plan to keep your plants healthy
Common Colorado Tree & Shrub Problems We Address
Iron Chlorosis
Yellowing leaves from alkaline soil
Pest Infestations
Spider mites, aphids, and scale insects
Beetle Infestations
Spruce beetle and pine beetle
Tree Diseases
Cytospora canker and fire blight
Winter Damage
Desiccation and frost damage
Drought Stress
Decline and water deficiency
Nutrient Deficiencies
Poor soil conditions
And More
Comprehensive plant health solutions
Why Choose Earth-Wise for Plant Health Care?
Certified Expertise
Our team includes ISA Certified Arborists with specialized training in plant health care, entomology, and soil science.
Local Knowledge
With over 30 years serving Colorado's mountain communities, we understand the unique challenges your trees face at altitude.
Customized Programs
We don't believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every PHC program is tailored to your property's conditions, plant species, and your goals.
Environmentally Responsible
We use integrated pest management principles, applying treatments only when needed and choosing products with the lowest environmental impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best time to start is now. Our Plant Health Care programs are designed to work year-round, with treatments scheduled based on the specific needs of your landscape and the life cycles of pests and diseases. Spring and fall are particularly important times for preventive treatments and fertilization.
Yes. We prioritize the safety of your family and pets. We use application methods like trunk injections and soil drenches that minimize exposure, and we always follow strict safety protocols. Our team will provide specific guidance for each treatment, and we offer organic options whenever possible.
Treatment frequency depends on the specific issues affecting your plants and your landscape goals. Some treatments like fertilization are typically done annually, while pest and disease management may require multiple applications throughout the growing season. Our arborists will create a customized schedule for your property.
Absolutely. Our ISA Certified Arborists are experienced in diagnosing tree problems and developing treatment plans for stressed or diseased trees. Early intervention is key, so we recommend scheduling a consultation as soon as you notice any changes in your trees' health or appearance.
Yes. We offer organic pest control solutions using horticultural oils, neem oil, insecticidal soaps, and biopesticides like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). While not all pests can be managed organically, we use organic products whenever they're effective for the specific problem you're facing.
Signs that your trees may need fertilization include yellowing leaves, poor growth, smaller than normal leaves, or early leaf drop. Colorado's alkaline soils often lack essential nutrients, particularly iron. Our arborists can assess your trees and soil conditions to determine if fertilization would benefit your landscape.
Protect Your Landscape Investment
Schedule a consultation with our certified arborists to discuss a Plant Health Care program for your property.
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