Plant health care is more than a buzzword in the tree service industry. For Kathy Glassey, a 35-year veteran and ISA Certified Arborist, the future of tree care is now. Her philosophy is simple: every thriving tree begins with healthy soil. Through her work with Inspire Green, she helps homeowners understand tree health. She also guides tree service companies in building profitable plant health care divisions that create a healthy profit margin and lasting value.
The Foundation of Healthy Trees is Soil
Kathy believes that soil is the cornerstone of plant health care.
Trees planted in compacted, low-quality soil are far more likely to decline, attract pests, and eventually require removal.
She explains this with simple analogies: soil works like a sponge.
When compacted, it cannot hold water or nutrients, leaving roots starved.
Just as humans need balanced nutrition and hydration, trees need biologically diverse, living soil to thrive.
For homeowners, Kathy simplifies the science with demonstrations.
She demonstrates how a soil probe can resist compacted ground and how planting trees too deeply can lead to root flare issues.
These visuals help people understand why soil management matters.
Plant Health Care as the Future of Tree Service Companies
For tree service companies, plant health care is a game-changer.
Kathy emphasizes that PHC creates recurring revenue streams, boosts profitability, and increases company value.
Compared to general tree work, PHC requires less equipment, lower labor costs, and generates steady client relationships.
She explains that climbers and crews already on-site can be trained to identify tree health concerns.
This adds value to each visit and builds long-term trust with clients. Companies that adopt PHC often see revenue equal to or greater than a full day of tree removal with fewer costs.
Educating Homeowners: Making Plant Health Care Simple
Many homeowners think of tree services as trimming, pruning, or removal.
Kathy helps bridge that gap by comparing PHC to personal health.
Trees need proper nutrition, water, and protection, just like people.
Seasonal education and communication play a significant role.
Sharing alerts about invasive insects like box tree moth at the correct times throughout the year helps homeowners recognize problems before they become costly.
Kathy encourages tree services to keep messages simple: show what to look for, explain why it matters, and offer timely solutions.
The cost of plant health care may seem high at first, but she reminds clients that preventive care is always less expensive than removing and replacing mature trees.
How Tree Services Can Start a Plant Health Care Division
Starting a PHC program does not need to be overwhelming.
Kathy recommends beginning with soil amendments and fertilization, which form the base of every healthy program.
From there, companies can layer in pest management and disease suppression.
Steps for getting started include:
- Obtaining required pesticide certifications.
- Training crews on soil and plant health basics.
- Working with expert consultants or attending TCIA and ISA workshops can be beneficial.
- Partnering with trusted distributors for targeted products.
She stresses compliance and professionalism: doing PHC the right way ensures safety, effectiveness, and credibility.
Evolving Industry: From Pesticides to Soil Health
Kathy has seen significant changes in tree care over three decades.
When she started, broad-spectrum pesticides were common, often mixed in combinations that harmed both applicators and the environment.
Today, treatments are more precise, targeting specific pests at vulnerable life stages.
The most significant shift has been the recognition of soil biology.
Healthy soil microbial diversity is now understood as essential for resilient trees.
This evolution reflects a broader cultural shift toward sustainable, science-based practices in arboriculture.
Kathy’s Legacy and Mission with Inspire Green
Inspire Green is more than a company.
It is a family business built with Kathy’s son and husband.
Her mission is to help tree companies nationwide adopt plant health care, avoid costly mistakes, and build stronger businesses.
She emphasizes collaboration and openness, encouraging arborists to share knowledge and learn from one another.
Her legacy is rooted in education, mentorship, and a passion for seeing both trees and companies thrive.
Ready to Grow Your Tree Service?
Plant health care is no longer optional for tree services that want to stand out, grow profitably, and build lasting client relationships.
Kathy Glassey proves that healthy soil and proactive care are the foundation of stronger trees and stronger businesses.