Arbor care encompasses all practices that maintain tree health, vigor, and longevity in our challenging tropical environment. This includes disease diagnosis and treatment, pest management, nutritional support, soil improvement, and structural support. South Florida's unique conditions - hurricanes, salt exposure, sandy soils, year-round growth, and tropical pests - make professional arbor care essential. Our arborists provide preventive care to avoid costly removals, enhance storm resistance, manage tropical diseases, and ensure beautiful, healthy trees. Proper arbor care extends tree life by decades, protects property values, and reduces liability from failing trees.

Common disease symptoms in South Florida trees include yellowing or browning leaves (not normal seasonal change), premature leaf drop, dead branches in the canopy, bark peeling or cracking, mushrooms or fungus at the base, unusual growth patterns, and sap oozing from trunk. Specific regional concerns include lethal bronzing in palms (fronds dying from bottom up), ganoderma butt rot (white shelf fungus), laurel wilt in avocados, and whitefly infestations on ficus. Early detection is crucial - many diseases are treatable if caught early but fatal if ignored. Our free health assessments identify problems before they become irreversible.

South Florida trees face unique disease challenges including Lethal Bronzing (affects 20+ palm species), Ganoderma Root Rot (kills palms and hardwoods), Laurel Wilt Disease (devastating to avocados), Texas Phoenix Palm Decline, Rugose Spiraling Whitefly (affects 60+ species), Pink Rot (palms in humid conditions), and Black Sooty Mold (follows insect infestations). Environmental stresses like salt damage, hurricane wounds, and root damage from construction create disease entry points. Our warm, humid climate accelerates disease spread. Regular monitoring and preventive treatments are more effective and economical than crisis response.

South Florida's sandy soils lack nutrients, requiring regular fertilization for optimal tree health. Most trees benefit from quarterly fertilization (4 times yearly) with palm-special formulations for palms (containing manganese and magnesium). Newly planted trees need monthly feeding for the first year. Mature native trees may need only annual feeding. Our fertilization programs address specific deficiencies common here: magnesium (yellowing fronds), manganese (frizzle top), iron (chlorosis), and potassium (orange spotting). Proper fertilization improves storm resistance, disease resistance, and growth rate while extending tree life significantly.

Yes, we provide preventive and therapeutic treatments for lethal bronzing disease, epidemic in South Florida. Preventive antibiotic injections (oxytetracycline) every 3-4 months can protect valuable palms. Early-stage infections may respond to treatment if caught before spear leaf dies. Treatment includes trunk injection with antibiotics, nutritional support, and monitoring. Unfortunately, advanced cases are fatal - the palm must be removed to prevent spread. Susceptible species include coconut, date, Canary Island date, and Christmas palms. Prevention costs far less than removal and replacement. We monitor treated palms and adjust protocols based on response.

Our comprehensive tree health assessments examine overall structure and stability, disease and pest presence, nutritional deficiencies, root system health, storm damage potential, and soil conditions. Using advanced techniques including resistance drilling for internal decay, soil testing for pH and nutrients, and digital documentation, we identify current problems and future risks. You receive a detailed report with findings, treatment recommendations, priority rankings, and cost estimates. Assessments are crucial before property purchases, after storms, for insurance documentation, and as preventive care. Our arborists provide expert evaluation beyond basic visual inspection.

We offer integrated pest management (IPM) combining cultural, biological, and mechanical controls before considering chemicals. Natural approaches include improving soil health and drainage, proper pruning for air circulation, beneficial insect introduction, organic soil amendments, and resistant variety selection. Mechanical controls include pest barriers, trap placement, and infected tissue removal. When chemicals are necessary, we use targeted, low-toxicity options applied precisely to minimize environmental impact. South Florida's ecosystem requires careful balance - we protect beneficial insects, birds, and waterways while managing pests and diseases effectively.

Many trees can recover from hurricane damage with proper arbor care. Recovery potential depends on damage extent (less than 50% crown loss is recoverable), tree age and health before storm, species (natives recover better), and care quality after damage. Recovery treatments include proper pruning of damaged areas, structural support with cabling/bracing, aggressive fertilization program, pest/disease prevention, and deep root watering. Recovery takes 2-3 years typically. Some trees appear dead but resprout from roots - wait 6 months before removing. Our post-storm care has saved thousands of trees that seemed lost.

Deep root fertilization injects nutrients directly into the root zone 8-12 inches deep, bypassing South Florida's sandy topsoil that doesn't retain nutrients. This method delivers fertilizer where roots actively absorb, reduces runoff into waterways, provides longer-lasting nutrition, and improves drought resistance. The process uses specialized equipment to create injection sites around the tree's drip line. We customize formulations for species needs and soil conditions. It's especially beneficial for palms, stressed trees, compacted soils, and pre-hurricane preparation. Applications typically occur 2-3 times yearly for optimal results.

Yes, we offer comprehensive organic arbor care programs perfect for South Florida's sensitive ecosystem. Organic options include compost tea applications, beneficial microorganism inoculation, organic fertilizers, natural pest deterrents, and mulching programs. These methods improve soil biology, enhance natural disease resistance, support beneficial insects, and protect water quality. Organic care is ideal near water bodies, food gardens, pet areas, and environmentally sensitive properties. While organic methods may work slower than synthetic options, they provide sustainable, long-term tree health without environmental risks.

Preventive arbor care is the most cost-effective approach in South Florida. Key prevention strategies include annual health inspections, regular fertilization programs, proper pruning schedules, mulching for moisture retention, and lightning protection for valuable trees. Plant right tree in right place considering mature size, salt tolerance, and wind resistance. Maintain proper irrigation without overwatering. Protect trees during construction. Address small problems immediately before they escalate. Our preventive care programs cost a fraction of emergency treatments or removal, while ensuring beautiful, healthy, storm-resistant trees.