Plant Health Care
Our Approach
At Rooted Arbor Care, our Plant Health Care program is built on the practice of Integrated Pest Management, or IPM. The IPM approach promotes healthy plants by combining the use of pesticides with other evidence-based strategies for controlling pests. IPM integrates cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical controls to mitigate damage to trees and shrubs caused by insects and disease. This strategy allows pests to be managed without excessive chemical use, protecting beneficial organisms and decreasing risk of pesticide resistance. Solution driven IPM strategies ensure that your plant health care investment is maximized by focusing on the most responsible and efficient means to solve your plant health concern.
Pest Management
Missouri is home to a myriad of different pests including aphids, bagworms, and scale insects. Perhaps most infamous in our region for tree damage are the tiny wasps who cause Texas Horned Gall in Pin Oaks, and the Emerald Ash Borer. While the effects of these insects can be devastating, damage can often be minimized by treatment with pesticides and other control methods. Our team of ISA Certified Arborists and Licensed Pesticide Applicators can create a customized treatment plan for your infested or vulnerable trees.
Disease Treatment
Working with our team of ISA Certified Arborists and Licensed Pesticide Applicators is imperative to properly prevent, identify, and treat bacterial and fungal diseases affecting your trees and landscapes. Our team of tree experts will craft a site-specific IPM approach using appropriate methods including soil & trunk injections and foliar spray applications to prevent or control common pathogens in our Missouri trees, such as fire blight, Anthracnose, Hypoxylon Canker, Oak Wilt, and Armillaria Root Rot.
Mechanical Interventions
Mechanical interventions are sometimes overlooked when treating unhealthy trees, but can often be the simplest and most effective interventions. Mechanical Interventions include removing weeds or other competing vegetation, targeted pruning to increase airflow in disease-prone trees, and air excavation for safely extracting compacted soils without harming fine root fibers. Construction site Tree Protection Zones are also an excellent tool we use to help prevent soil compaction.
Managing Nutrient Levels
Trees depend on healthy nutrient levels to grow and thrive. When nutrient levels are imbalanced, trees are more susceptible to disease. Healthy trees have a better chance at surviving various stressors and having a long life. Our ISA Certified Arborists and plant health experts consider factors such as irrigation, soil composition, fertilization, and appropriate mulch usage to determine the type of intervention from which a struggling tree may benefit. Call us today for a soil evaluation!
Spotlight on Emerald Ash Borer: The Devastating Effects on Ash Trees in Missouri
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has had a devastating impact on Ash trees throughout Missouri. Since its arrival in the early 2000s, this invasive beetle has spread rapidly, infesting Ash trees and causing widespread damage. The larvae of EAB feed on the inner bark of Ash trees, disrupting their ability to transport water and nutrients, eventually leading to their decline and death. As a result, many Ash trees in Missouri have succumbed to EAB infestations, posing safety risks due to weakened and potentially hazardous trees.
The effects of EAB on ash trees in Missouri are particularly concerning because ash trees are a significant component of the state’s urban and rural landscapes. They provide valuable ecosystem services, such as shade, wildlife habitat, and aesthetic beauty. The loss of ash trees not only impacts the visual appeal of neighborhoods and parks but also affects the overall health of urban forests and natural ecosystems.
For homeowners and property managers in Missouri, the presence of EAB underscores the importance of proactive tree care and management. Regular inspections by certified arborists can help detect early signs of EAB infestation, allowing for targeted treatments to protect valuable ash trees. Treatment for ash trees that prevents emerald ash borer infestations are designed to protect the trees by creating a barrier that deters or kills the beetles and their larvae. Regular and timely application of insecticides, especially during the beetle’s active season, can significantly reduce the risk of infestation and preserve the health of ash trees. Additionally, timely removal of infested trees can prevent the spread of EAB to healthy trees nearby, preserving the vitality and diversity of Missouri’s tree population.
Rooted Arbor Care is dedicated to helping clients address the challenges posed by EAB and other tree pests. With our expertise in tree care, including EAB detection, treatment, and tree removal when necessary, we strive to safeguard the beauty and health of ash trees and the surrounding environment. If you have an ash tree you are concerned about, call us today for a free consultation. One of our arborists will assess your tree and provide recommendations for solutions tailored to your needs and the specific challenges your trees face.
Emerald ash borers create tunnels under the bark of ash trees as their larvae feed on the tree’s inner layers, disrupting its nutrient transport systems.
The silent devastation: A row of once vibrant ash trees, now casualties of the invasive emerald ash borer.
Contact Us
512 Sonderen St.
O’Fallon, MO 63366
