The "Root" of the Problem

While we at Del's do not specialize in this area, we are prepared to provide some general information and some solutions.

Trees and shrubs are affected by the environment in a number of ways. Beside the usual problems such as insects and disease, plants such as these are affected by the weather, animals, pollution (salt, acid rain, etc.), improper planting procedures and more. Even worse, plants susceptible to insects or disease are installed where they should not be which makes for both an unhappy plant and a more unhappy property owner.

Proper Plant Health Care

Most important is proper plant selection. If you are planning to add new plants to your home or office environment, discuss the suitability of each item according to need for light, water and soil quality with a professional or with someone at Cooperative Extension. Plants should be suitable for the climate and the most insect and disease resistant variety of the plant should be specified where possible.

You can also talk to a knowledgeable landscape architect or arborist and they can advise you as to which plants are best suited for your specific environment.

Building from the Bottom, Down

For both new and existing plants, check the quality of the soil to determine if there are deficiencies that can stress the plant which requires may require corrective action. We offer Essential, a soil amendment/biostimulant which can help correct problems in the soil such as excessive salt and compaction while providing amino acids and other nutrients that benefit the root zone. This product may also help plants stressed by drought.

Use Essential for both new plantings as well as for established trees or shrubs. A garden hose end application may be used for this purpose. The object is to get a sufficient amount of water out along with Essential so that it gets to the root zone.

Help for Established Plants

While spraying trees with insecticides or fungicides can be helpful, the size of some plants makes this impractical as a do-it-yourself project. We do offer solutions which minimize one's exposure to pesticides while helping plants affected by insects, disease or stress related to a number of environmental factors.

Easily installed implants containing acephate (Orthene) may be used for a number of insect problems on trees. Acecap 97 implants** are are installed by drilling into the plant to a depth just below the cambium layer. The number of implants needed is determined by measuring the tree at breast height (DBH) and multiplying by 3.14 (pi) to determine the circumference. One implant is needed for each 4 inches of circumference.

Acecap 97** implants can be used to treat many different insect problems including Emerald Ash Borer which is devastating trees in a number of states. It can also be used for common pest species such as gypsy moth, birch leaf miner, scale, pine tip moth and others. These implants are sold in a 3/8" implants and a 1/4" (Mini) implant.

Medicap MD implants contain a 12-4-4 fertilizer plus micronutrients Iron, Manganese and Zinc. They are applied as described above. These fertilizer implants can give a healthy plant a boost or aid a tree that is suffering the effects of iron, manganese or zinc deficiency. Once installed, the implants can remain effect for up to two growing seasons.

Acecap Mini** and Medicap Mini implants are 1/4" in diameter and can be used for plants of 3" diameter or less.

Professional Care of Trees and Shrubs

While many individuals enjoy taking care of the landscape around their home, a lot of us are really too busy to pay attention. Ask the professional about proper plant maintenance.  An arborist that is involve with plant health care services such as fertilizing, pest monitoring and pesticide applications when needed is a good approach for the busy household.

In addition to offering these services, an arborist can also provide the physical maintenance such as pruning and trimming to best maintain the plants around your home or office.