Phc help

Crazy_Jimmy

Crazy_Jimmy

Participating member
Location
Texas
We started doing alot more air knife work this year and its got me really wanting to do more beneficial stuff.Im looking to start a PhC program maybe this year just fertilizing and soil ammendments.Maybe next year Oak wilt treatment and more of the certifed applicator stuff. Just looking for suggestions on fertilizers that are being used more on the organic side,something that really benefit tree health. thanks
 
I started with PHC for trees and Doggett bags. My BEST advice is to collect a soil sample EVERY TIME your thinking fert. When you show a client the results of a soil sample from their prized tree its almost impossible for them to say no to prescription soil amendment. Yeah it takes more time to pull a sample but it works. Your closing ratios will be through the roof and its very easy to add specific nutrients to the mix. You can also charge a premium for this service. Its also way better for the env.
 
I dont know about being easier , Ive never used a fert rig in my life-but Im sure it is.. I doubt I will ever be doing the application personally but im sure I could find someone who enjoys it. I just want my company to have alot of different options and Im tired of referring stuff out that we dont do. Good advice so far,I like the idea of soil samples in alot of situations.
 
My base mix is from Doggett. It works well and is reasonably priced. When I do Rx fert I bill 50% higher. The most important part is client retention. A sample sets me apart from others offering a generic mix. Anything that sets me apart from others will always keep clients coming back to me. I've been on hooks, crane, bucket, clearing etc etc. Not sure if I'd want to still ride the hook when I'm 55 but God willing I'll be pulling soil samples and putting my probe in the ground. From any angle I looked at PHC it was a great BUSINESS decision. Now it is all I do.
 
We should all be focused on PHC as our business. Pruning is a part of PHC. Having a pruning/removal business is like a plumber who only installs toilets. or something like that but not really.

PHC work also gives you the opportunity to identify work that needs to be done at a specific time in the future, sell that work in advance and have scheduled jobs on the books months in advance. This allows for continued contact with your clients in the form of reminder calls/email.

Taking the soil test one step further, have the soil analysis for microbial life done and develop a program that will improve biotic activity in the soil. Followup soil tests can be performed to measure the efficacy of the amendments. Fertilizer often is unnecessary if the soil is alive and active.

In the past I have used product from Nature's Pro and was more than satisfied with the results.
 
After reading the article about how 1 inch of compost/year spread throughout the root zone had much better results than all other fertilization alternatives......
 
[ QUOTE ]
After reading the article about how 1 inch of compost/year spread throughout the root zone had much better results than all other fertilization alternatives......

[/ QUOTE ]. Macro, what article is that? Where would I find it?
 
Just remember composts can vary. Whats in it? What is the Ph? I'm all for incorporating mulch or compost into the root zone but there is a place for Rx fert as well. Soil sampling will tell how much of what is required for that species. It also tells how much organic material is there. The biggest issue I see around here are Ph issues.
 
Chip, I agree the soil test is a sale closer and is necessary for proper phc. Do you send your samples off to a lab or do you have your own kit? What specific tests do you look at or request? My extension lab charges pretty high rates for some of the more exotic tests.
 
I send them out for analysis. I look at all of the results and amend as needed. Look at the soils ability to hold nutrients and Ph. I never liked the field tests.
 
We take soil samples and either do "in house" testing or send off to a lab depending on the client budget. In house we can perform very simple tests for N-P-K, soil structure, and organic matter content. If further analysis is needed, we send off to a private lab.

After testing, we custom blend our base fertilizer (SuperRoots) with our own compost tea and other nutrients as needed for each site. Its been working well for us for many years. We also use an air-spade to break up compaction and mix in compost/topsoil in addition to fert.

I highly reccommend SuperRoots from plant essentials llc. It's a great product with very low nitrogen which I have found is better for trees. See the link below:

http://plantessentials.biz/?page_id=13
 
Ive been told that the University of Maryland IPM short course is one of the best courses in the country. It is intensive and involves class time and lab time and would be a great boost to someone in your shoes as well as the seasoned pro ipm guy.
 
PHC Bio Pak plus. Fantastic low-nitrogen fert with microbial benefits. I've been using it at a rate of 4lbs/100gal for 4 years with fantastic results! Numerous near-dead trees have been brought back to life by this product. Especially good for root stimulation after construction damage/stress.
 
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