Grace Ditch of Tree133 prepares a large American elm for macro-infusion to protect against Dutch elm disease, a vascular wilt pathogen. Photo courtesy of Craig Bachmann.

Plant health care (PHC) is evolving. What was once often approached as a series of treatments is increasingly being redefined as a diagnostic, systems-based discipline – one that prioritizes soil health, underlying stress factors and long-term tree preservation over short-term fixes.

That shift is being driven, in part, by practitioners who are rethinking how PHC is applied in the field. Rather than defaulting to reactive solutions, they are asking better questions, using more targeted interventions and, in many cases, doing less – more intentionally.

The four arborists featured here share that mindset. Their approaches vary, but they are united by a common goal: to better understand the causes of decline, improve decision-making and extend the life of trees in the urban forest.

The result is a more measured, more effective model of care – one that not only benefits trees but also strengthens the value arborists bring to their clients and communities. For tree care businesses, these ideas could translate into better outcomes in the field, more efficient operations and stronger long-term relationships with clients.

Diagnostics first

Ezekiel T. “Tree” Willard of Boise’s Idaho Tree Preservation brings a deeply technical and preservation-focused approach to modern arboriculture. An ISA Board Certified Master Arborist with more than 25 years in the green and tree industry, he also holds credentials as a TRAQ, CTWCS and ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist, along with being a CTSP and Qualified Trainer.

Beyond the impressive credentials, what distinguishes Willard’s work is how he integrates advanced diagnostics with a measured, preservation-first mindset. Rather than defaulting to removal when trees show signs of decay or structural concern, he focuses on gathering better information to support more informed decisions – particularly when working with large, mature trees.

“My approach is holistic, in that most pests are secondary,” he says. “Correcting and improving the soil is critical, and helping trees get to where we don’t need the chemical intervention is a crucial part of our approach.”

That same philosophy extends to risk assessment. Willard incorporates tools such as sonic tomography, LiDAR scans, biomechanical modeling, micro-resistance drilling and static pull testing to build a more complete picture of a tree’s condition. But just as important is how – and when – those tools are used.

“Of course, this all starts with the most important tools: our training, our eyes and our brains. Not every tree requires advanced assessment. For me, having those tools when I need them is a crucial part of my approach – but they are not the first step.”

Willard points out that the ANSI A300 defines a qualified professional as: An individual who, because of training AND experience, has demonstrated the ability to perform assignments safely and effectively, and, where required, is properly credentialed in accordance with federal, state or local laws and regulations.

“This means we need both academic training and field experience,” he says. “So get that training – and, as Shigo said, ‘touch trees.’”

As research continues to show that trees are often more resilient and adaptable than previously understood, Willard sees an opportunity for the tree care industry to evolve. “I feel like we might be seeing more preservation arboriculture, or at least more interest in it.”

His goal is to help shift both professional and public perception away from fear-based decision-making. “I’d like to help turn professionals away from removing trees because of the fear of being sued,” he explains. “We have ways of getting information about these trees, testing them and making better decisions rather than cutting them down because we think they might be compromised. I’d like to lead more people to preservation when appropriate.”

Rethinking workflow

When it comes to plant health care, Alex Shy of Shy Tree Arboricultural Services in Jessup, Maryland, approaches the work with a diagnostic mindset. Offering both general tree care and PHC, he draws on a background that blends field experience with time spent in a plant diagnostic lab at West Virginia University.

“I felt like a CSI detective for plants,” he says. “Early on, I realized that a lot of what we do in this industry is reactive. We remove trees when they decline or are perceived to be hazardous, instead of understanding why they decline in the first place.”

That realization pushed Shy toward a more preservation-focused approach. “PHC is where arboriculture actually becomes arboriculture,” he says. “Most tree problems don’t start in the canopy – they start below ground, in the soil and root system.”

As his PHC work expanded, Shy began to encounter a different kind of challenge – not in tree biology, but in workflow. Coordinating soil treatments, air excavation and chemical applications often meant juggling multiple pieces of equipment and building rigid schedules around them. Over time, those inefficiencies began to add up.

Alex Shy’s Mobile Tree Spa, an integrated PHC unit he designed for efficiency. Photo courtesy of Alex Shy.

In response, Shy developed what he calls the Mobile Tree Spa, an integrated PHC unit that allows multiple services to be performed more seamlessly in the field. Rather than moving between setups, crews can shift more efficiently between soil work, air excavation and treatments, improving both flexibility and productivity.

He took a similar approach to diagnostics. Recognizing that many technicians lack a consistent framework for assessing tree health, he created the PHC Rx App, a tool designed to guide evaluations and standardize reporting. The goal, he says, is not to replace field expertise, but to support it.

For Shy, both innovations stem from the same idea: improving how arborists approach problems. By focusing on diagnostics, workflow and systems, he is working to make PHC more accessible, more efficient and ultimately more effective – not just in his own operation, but across the industry.

Start with the why

Applying a sea-kelp drench. Photo courtesy of Santigie Kabia.

Santigie “Tig” Kabia, founder of WHY Tree Service? LLC in Manassas Park, Virginia, has built his company around a simple but uncommon approach: start with why. Specializing in PHC, tree risk assessment, soil and root management and consulting, Kabia approaches tree care as a diagnostic process – one rooted in understanding cause before prescribing treatment.

That perspective shapes what makes his work stand out. For Kabia, PHC is not a service line or add-on, but a framework for how tree care should be practiced. It shifts the work from reactive to proactive, and from transactional to relational – focusing on long-term tree health, soil conditions and underlying causes rather than visible symptoms alone.

“PHC provides opportunities to educate and inspire others, instead of responding only when failure or decline is obvious or imminent,” he says.

Over the course of his career, Kabia has seen the tree care industry move toward integrated pest management, sustainability and a broader scientific understanding of tree care. But he believes the next step is more foundational.

“I’d like to see PHC become the baseline of tree care operations, not just an add-on service,” he says. “If the industry leans more heavily into diagnostics, soil-first thinking and ethical consulting, we elevate not just trees, but the profession itself.”

Kabia’s emphasis on root-cause diagnostics, soil health and client education reflects a broader shift in arboriculture – one that prioritizes understanding before intervention and positions PHC as the starting point, not the solution of last resort.

Practicing restraint

raig Bachmann of Tree133 applies a plant growth regulator to improve resistance to heat and drought stress.

Craig Bachmann, founder and lead arborist of Tree133 Professional Arborists in Seattle, Washington, has built his practice around the preservation of large trees through risk-mitigation pruning, support systems and targeted PHC.

What sets Bachmann apart is his approach to PHC – not for how much he does, but for how intentionally he does it. In an area of the industry often driven by recurring treatments and revenue opportunities, he has developed a program grounded in restraint, focusing on meaningful, science-based interventions rather than routine applications.

“PHC can be a difficult subject,” he says, noting that the temptation of easy revenue can sometimes compromise a company’s integrity. “At Tree133, we limit our PHC program to treatments for major ‘tree killers,’ such as bronze birch borer and Dutch elm disease, and will soon be treating for EAB, as it has recently been found in the Pacific Northwest. We also use plant growth regulators.”

Tree133 deliberately avoids many of the more ornamental or broad-spectrum treatments common in the industry, citing their environmental impact. Instead, Bachmann emphasizes targeted care and long-term tree health, aligning his work more closely with integrated pest management principles and environmental stewardship.

That same philosophy carries through to how he approaches business growth. Bachmann advocates for steady, sustainable development – building a strong client base and focusing on quality over rapid expansion. “Grow your business gradually,” he says. “Invest in developing a solid base of clients who value your work and refer you to others. That will create sustainable, long-term growth.”

Edward Morrow combines his knowledge as an accountant, arborist and author to help tree care professionals supercharge their careers. Under the TREE S.T.A.R.S. brand, he develops community urban-forestry programs and helps tree care businesses develop client-retention/engagement programs. Idaho Tree Preservation has been a TCIA member company since 2011, and Tree133 has been a TCIA member company since 2019.