If you’re looking for trusted, expert plant health care in Gladwyne PA, Burkholder PHC has you covered. Our certified arborists, tree surgeons, and plant health specialists offer strategic, science-backed solutions for maintaining the health and beauty of your landscape. From advanced diagnostics and soil care to tree supports and pest management, we handle it all—because your plants deserve more than just seasonal attention. They deserve care that’s proactive, precise, and local.

About Gladwyne, PA

Gladwyne, (19035) was once known as Merion Square. This historic suburban community is located in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, along the Schuylkill River on Philadelphia’s Main Line, about 12 miles northwest of Center City Philadelphia. While other Main Line towns grew rapidly around the railroad, Gladwyne followed a different path. Its distance from the rail lines, combined with deliberate efforts by residents to conserve open space, helped it retain a rural village feel. Historic homes, stone bridges, and mill ruins still dot the landscape—reminders of its colonial roots and early milling industry along Mill Creek.

Nature lovers in Gladwyne are never far from scenic trails and green spaces. The Bridlewild Trail System, a beloved local network of walking and horseback riding paths, winds through the area’s woods and estates. Rolling Hill Park offers over 90 acres of preserved meadows, forests, and historic mill ruins. You’ll also find the Henry Foundation for Botanical Research—50 acres of curated woodland gardens, native species, and rare plants.

Another standout is Woodmont, a 72-acre National Historic Landmark estate known for its French Gothic mansion and sweeping views. Together, these landmarks reflect the town’s quiet beauty and its deep commitment to conservation.

Native Plant Life in Gladwyne, PA

Incorporating native plants into yards and gardens is a good way to ensure long-term beauty and resilience. because they can thrive in local conditions.

Gladwyne’s ecological variety includes a blend of Piedmont hardwood forests and rolling meadows. Some native species that thrive here include:

Eastern Redbud
Flowering Dogwood
Black Gum
American Beech
Red Maple
Sweetbay Magnolia

By incorporating native plants into your landscape, you not only support local wildlife but also reduce maintenance, as these species are well adapted to our climate and soil. By pairing native species with expert plant health care practices like soil care, pest management, and proactive monitoring—you create a healthier, more resilient ecosystem in Gladwyne.

Eastern Redbud after structural Pruning | Plant Health Care in Wayne PA | Burkholder PHC

Common Plant Problems in the Gladwyne, PA Area

Despite the beauty of the landscape, plants in Gladwyne face challenges such as:

Clay-heavy or compacted soil
Deer browsing
Poor drainage in older properties
Pest pressures from Spotted Lanternfly, Japanese beetles, and scale insects
Powdery mildew and root rot due to humid summers

Early detection and proper plant health care solutions can keep these issues from escalating into costly damage. The experts at Burkholder PHC are here to diagnose and treat issues like these, keeping your Gladwyne landscape healthy and thriving.

Our Plant Health Care Services include

We offer a full suite of plant health care solutions to protect and nurture the valuable trees, shrubs, and ornamentals in your landscape.

Expert Tree Care Services

From structural assessments to seasonal monitoring, our tree specialists provide complete care. Certified arborists assess risk factors and provide action plans for preserving your most valuable trees.:

- - Pruning & Shaping: Strategic pruning promotes structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
  - Root Services: We assess root health to resolve compaction, girdling or other issues and encourage healthy root growth.
  - Tree Supports & Bracing: When trees are vulnerable or leaning we offer supports to protect trees from storm damage and structural issues.

Cultural Management: We offer recommendations to adjust care strategies for Gladwyne’s microclimates, and incorporate best practices in mulching, irrigation, and plant selection to keep your landscape resilient.

Biological Control: When needed, we use biological controls like beneficial insects and fungi to naturally combat harmful pests, preserving ecological balance in your landscape.

Plant Pest Management: Our licensed plant health care professionals diagnose and manage insect problems such as:

Aphids
Spider mites
Scale
Emerald Ash Borer
Leaf miners

We use integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that focus on early detection and low-toxicity treatments, minimizing impact on beneficial species.

Soil Care: Soil is the foundation of plant health. We perform soil testing, recommend amendments, and offer treatments to optimize nutrient levels and support strong plant growth from the ground up.

Weed Management: We target invasive weeds that compete with your ornamentals and turf. Selective herbicides and hand-pulling methods are used where appropriate, especially around sensitive root zones or native plant beds.

Growth Regulation: We help manage plant and tree size, encourage blooms, and increase resistance to environmental stressors through the use of precise applications of growth regulators.

Deer Browse Deterrents: Our expert arborists implement deer deterrent systems to protect your landscape without harming the environment.

Diagnostics: When a plant starts to decline, our job is to find out why so we can treat it. Our diagnostics team investigates issues including:

Root rot
Leaf discoloration
Sudden dieback
Fungal infections
Insect infestations
Environmental stress

We provide detailed reports and recommendations based on laboratory results and on-site analysis.

Locations Served

We serve numerous locations along the Main Line, such as Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Chadds Ford, Chester Springs, and more. Explore our service areas to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Anthracnose Disease?

Anthracnose is a fungal disease that affects many types of trees, shrubs, and plants, especially in regions with cool, wet springs, such as southeastern Pennsylvania. This fungal foliar disease is aggravated by cool, high-humidity conditions, which favors disease development on susceptible tree species—flowering dogwood, sycamore, maple, ash, and oak.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what anthracnose involves:

Symptoms:

Irregular, brown, or black spots on leaves
Leaf curling, browning, and early leaf drop
Dieback of young shoots and twigs
In severe cases, repeated infections can weaken trees and reduce their ability to photosynthesize effectively.

Affected Plants:

Common in trees like dogwoods, sycamores, oaks, maples, ash, and elm, as well as ornamental shrubs and perennials.
It’s especially prevalent in dense plantings where moisture lingers.

How It Spreads:

The fungi overwinter on fallen leaves and twigs
Spores are released in spring and spread by rain splash or wind
Cool, wet weather encourages outbreaks

Management:

Proper pruning and cleanup of infected leaves reduce spore spread
Improving air circulation and reducing overhead watering help keep leaves dry
For severe cases, fungicidal treatments may be recommended

anthracnose spots on a leaf - plant health care in Narberth PA by Burkholder PHC

See More Frequently Asked Questions About Plant Health Care

How Can You Tell If Your Plants Have Problems?

Your observations are vital to keeping your landscape plants in good health. Most of the plants we work with are relatively long-lived, and each growing season should be a predictable process of dormancy through full vigor to senescence. Some of the most common symptoms in landscape plants include yellowing or browning of leaves, wilting, or leaf drop.

Expert Plant Health Care in Gladwyne PA

Our plant health care manager, Starker, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to every landscape in Gladwyne . With over 30 years of experience, he leads our team of PHC specialists in delivering top-notch plant care that integrates science and nature.

Starker’s impressive background includes:

Earning a degree in agroecology from the University of Massachusetts while serving as the field coordinator for the University’s Tree Fruit Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program
Contributing to the Insect Behavior and Ecology Program at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service’s Appalachian Fruit Research Station in West Virginia, where he developed and tested innovative management techniques for both native and invasive tree fruit pests
Working extensively as a Plant Health Care Specialist, Certified Arborist, and manager, blending hands-on expertise with a deep understanding of plant biology and pest dynamics

Starker has authored and co-authored over 80 research and extension publications, focusing on the integration of biological, cultural, and chemical methods for maintaining tree and plant health. His fieldwork with Burkholder PHC has even led to new insights and techniques in plant health care.
With Starker’s guidance and our experienced team of plant specialists, you can trust Burkholder PHC to protect and nurture your Gladwyne landscape, keeping it healthy, vibrant, and beautiful year after year.

See Burkholder PHC Achievements

Call Burkholder PHC for Expert Plant Health Care in Gladwyne

Burkholder PHC offers comprehensive plant health care solutions designed to protect your landscape investment. Our certified arborists and plant specialists provide inspections, soil testing, pest management, and custom treatment plans built around the needs of your property.

Let us help you protect the beauty, safety, and value of your trees and plants. Contact us today to learn more about our plant health care in Gladwyne PA or to schedule your consultation.

484-630-5924