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Plant Health Care in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

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Burkholder PHC provides expert plant health care in Bryn Mawr for your valuable landscape plants and trees. Our specialists offer lawn care services such as soil testing, as well as landscape pest control services for insects like emerald ash borer or deer who destroy trees with their feeding and rubbing. Our certified arborists are equipped with advanced plant health care solutions to ensure your lawn thrives year-round.

About Bryn Mawr, PA

Located along Pennsylvania’s iconic Philadelphia Main Line, Bryn Mawr is a historical gem of suburban Philadelphia. Originally the area was part of an 800 acre plot purchased from William Penn by Rowland Ellis. He named the area Bryn Mawr, which means Great Hill in Welsh. In 1719 Ellis had to sell most of the acres to Richard Harrison, who named the farm Harriton. Ellis’s uncle had an adjoining tract of land, with his house on the grounds of the current Bryn Mawr College. This land was called Humphreyville, and was a thriving suburban town. The Main Line was built in 1832, and in 1869, all the town names were changed, and Bryn Mawr was once again the name chosen for the area to honor Quaker ancestors from Wales. Today, the area boasts an affluent community rooted deeply in history.

Landmarks and Things to Do In Bryn Mawr

Bryn Mawr is home to many landmarks, including Bryn Mawr College — a women’s liberal arts college founded in 1885. The Harriton House, a historic residence, stands as a testament to the area’s colonial past. Visitors to the area can explore the idyllic Bryn Mawr campus take a stroll at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute housed in an old theater, or choose one of many other things to see and do.

Bryn Mawr has been home to many famous people, including actress Katharine Hepburn, who attended Bryn Mawr College, and actress Jayne Mansfield.

Why Choose Burkholder Plant Health Care?

Burkholder Plant Health Care was founded on the principles of integrated pest management and staffed with credentialed scientists who understand plant pathology, pest biology, and the research behind effective treatments.

Our Scientific Credentials

  • ISA Certified Arborists with decades of combined experience in plant health care
  • Published research scientists: Our plant health care team has authored and co-authored over 80 peer-reviewed and extension publications on integrated pest management and tree health
  • USDA research background: Extensive work with the USDA Agricultural Research Service and cooperating universities developing biologically-based pest management techniques
  • University training in entomology, agroecology and horticulture from programs including University of Massachusetts, Penn State, and Temple University
  • 100% PA licensed commercial applicators meeting all state regulatory requirements
  • Active research: We develop and conduct our own collaborative field trials and stay current with emerging treatment approaches

When you work with Burkholder, you’re working with plant biologists who can explain why a treatment works, not just applicators following a protocol.

Expert Plant Health Care

set up for treating for Beech Leaf Disease - Burkholder PHC

Our plant health care manager Starker manages the entire team of PHC specialists and has a great deal of experience and expertise in plant health care. His history of over 30 years covers a wide variety of skills and experience, including

  • a degree in agroecology from University of Massachusetts, which he earned while acting as the field coordinator of the University of Massachusetts Tree Fruit Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program
  • work with the Insect Behavior and Ecology Program at the Appalachian Fruit Research Station with USDA-Agricultural Research Service in Kearneysville, West Virginia, developing and testing biologically based management techniques for key native and invasive pests of tree fruit
  • work as a Plant Health Care specialist, Arborist Representative, and manager

Starker has authored and co-authored over 80 research and extension publications, focusing on integration of biological, cultural, and chemical management of tree health. He has also made some discoveries in the field while working for Burkholder PHC. With our team and Starker’s over 30 years of experience, you can trust that Burkholder PHC will help ensure that your landscape plants and trees thrive and look beautiful year after year.

See Burkholder PHC Achievements

Trying to choose from the best plant health care companies in Main Line Philadelphia?  Read what some of our clients have to say about working with us!

Plant Health Care Services in Bryn Mawr

Our expert services are built around proactive care and long-term plant wellness. Our services include:

Tree Care Services: From canopy inspections to deep root feeding, our tree surgeons and certified arborists assess the overall health of your trees, focusing on structure, nutrient uptake, and signs of disease. We treat common regional concerns like Anthracnose, scale, and borers.

Pruning: Our expert pruning techniques promote strong structure, remove hazardous limbs, and improve airflow through the canopy—especially vital in older neighborhoods where trees are mature and competing for light and space.

Root Services: We identify issues like root girdling or soil compaction using advanced diagnostics, and we implement air spading, vertical mulching, and soil amendments to encourage healthy root systems.

Tree Supports: Cabling and bracing provide mechanical support to weak or damaged limbs, helping extend the life of valuable trees while minimizing risk to nearby structures.

Growth Regulation:  In tight urban or suburban spaces, excessive growth can be a liability. We offer plant growth regulators (PGRs) for clients looking to manage hedge size, reduce sucker growth, or improve flowering. These also help redirect energy from top growth to root and shoot health.

Cultural Management:  Proper cultural practices are the foundation of strong plant health. We advise clients on optimal watering schedules, mulch usage, seasonal timing, and plant spacing to avoid overcrowding and promote healthy growth.

Plant Pest Management:  Bryn Mawr-area landscapes can see seasonal outbreaks of aphids, scale, spider mites, bagworms, and more. Our team offers targeted plant pest management plans using low-toxicity treatments, horticultural oils, and mechanical controls when appropriate. We monitor and treat for:

  • Emerald Ash Borer
  • Spotted Lanternfly
  • Japanese Beetles
  • Lace Bugs
  • Needle Cast Disease

Soil Care:  Your soil is the life support system of your landscape. We begin every plant health care program with a thorough soil analysis to test for pH, nutrient deficiencies, and compaction. Based on the results, we apply organic matter, biochar, slow-release fertilizers, and other amendments to rebuild your soil from the ground up.

Weed Management: Invasive weeds can choke out desirable plants and disrupt nutrient cycles. Our programs target weeds at the source—root systems—and use pre-emergent and post-emergent control where needed.

Biological Control: We use biological agents like predatory insects and beneficial fungi to suppress harmful pests and diseases without relying heavily on chemical treatments. This approach helps maintain a healthy ecosystem on your property.

Deer Browse Deterrents:  In wooded Main Line areas, deer browsing causes year-round damage to ornamentals, evergreens, and young saplings. We apply safe, effective repellents and recommend planting strategies that reduce deer impact without compromising beauty.

Diagnostics:  Our certified arborists use plant tissue testing, soil analysis, canopy inspection, and lab-backed pest identification to get to the root of your problem. From sudden dieback to fungal infections, we provide detailed reports and action plans that go beyond guesswork.

Frequently Asked Questions About Plant Health Care

How Does Integrated Pest Management Work?

Integrated pest management is essentially a tool chest, consisting of the following items:

  • All available techniques for diagnosing problems
  • All methods for determining the need for treatment
  • All available treatment approaches

Burkholder PHC integrates diagnosis, treatment thresholds, and management tactics in real-time, on-site. Diagnosis generally consists of an evaluation of symptoms and formal pest identification. Treatment thresholds are used to determine how widespread a problem needs to be before it warrants treatment. Management tactics may consist of chemical tools, corrective or sanitation pruning, beneficial insects, or repellents.

This essentially becomes a biological cost-benefit analysis, which allows solving the pest problem with the least possible collateral damage or ecological harm.

Why is Weed Control Important?

Arborist with face protection spraying plants- FAQs about common invasive weeds - Burkholder PHC

The presence of weeds in ornamental landscapes poses significant challenges, directly impacting the health of preferred plants and diminishing the visual appeal of managed planting beds.

Weeds compete vigorously with desired landscape specimens for essential resources like water, sunlight, and soil nutrients. This competition often results in reduced growth and vigor among desirable plants, limiting their ability to enhance the aesthetic of the landscape.

The negative effects of weed infiltration are particularly pronounced during the initial stages after new landscape plants are installed. Weeds take advantage of the disruption caused by transplanting, quickly establishing themselves and outcompeting newly introduced plants for available resources.

Additionally, many weed species produce chemicals that hinder the root development of ornamental plants. This compounds the competitive advantage of weeds, further impeding the growth and establishment of desired plants.

In summary, the presence of weeds in ornamental landscapes undermines the health of preferred plants and detracts from the overall visual appeal of managed planting beds. Effective weed management strategies are essential to maintain the integrity and attractiveness of ornamental landscapes.

See More Frequently Asked Questions About Plant Health Care

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.


Get Excellent Plant Health Care in Bryn Mawr PA with Burkholder PHC

Burkholder PHC’s tree and plant health care specialists offer a free consultation We will inspect your trees and plants to determine if there are any problems such as insect infestation, disease, or soil deficiency, and then provide a comprehensive plan for achieving and maintaining the best health for the high value plants and trees in your landscape.

Is your community on our list? If you live in another community nearby, we most likely service your area as well. Contact us today at 484-630-5924 to find out more about our plant health care services or to schedule a consultation.