What is the difference between ArborHealth® and ArborKelp®?

ArborHealth® is a slow-release fertilizer that supplies macro and micronutrients and acts like probiotics for your trees and shrubs – it helps correct nutrient deficiencies, strengthen roots and enhance vigor. This proactively keeps plants healthy and helps protect them from threats like insect or disease. It’s made of the highest quality slow-release blend of essential micro and macro nutrients and our exclusive sea-kelp biostimulant, ArborKelp®. ArborKelp ® is our exclusive powerhouse biostimulant, designed to give a boost to trees or shrubs that may be stressed after pruning, or from insect damage, construction or transplant shock.It works be helping roots absorb existing nutrients more efficiently and raising the plant's tolerance for stress While ArborHealth ® includes ArborKelp® as an ingredient, the ArborKelp® treatment alone provides an extra boost of support for your soil.

Is it safe to fertilize newly planted trees and shrubs?

Most nursery stock arrives heavily fertilized, so adding more right away can stress the plant rather than help it. SavATree arborists typically apply ArborKelp® to new plantings instead, since it supports root establishment without the risks that come with extra fertilizer. A full fertilization program can begin the following year once roots are settled.

Why is ArborHealth® lower in nitrogen than store-bought fertilizers?

Excess nitrogen can drive fast, soft top growth that may be more susceptible to certain insects and diseases. ArborHealth® keeps nitrogen in a measured range and emphasizes micronutrients, organic carbohydrates, and microbial food sources that build long-term soil and plant health.

Can ArborHealth® or ArborKelp® be used on a tree that's already diseased or infested?

ArborKelp® is well-suited to plants under pest or disease pressure because it delivers nutrition without the high-nitrogen load that can contribute to conditions favoring certain fungi, bacteria, and insects. For an active diagnosis and treatment plan, an ISA Certified Arborist should evaluate the tree or shrub directly.

ArborHealth

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Trees and shrubs growing in residential and commercial properties face conditions that vary from a forest or woodland setting. Topsoil is often thin or compacted, fallen leaves get raked away before they can decompose, nearby construction has likely disturbed the root zone, and there is often no surrounding canopy contributing organic matter year after year.

SavATree developed ArborHealth® and ArborKelp® to address these gaps. ArborHealth® is our exclusive slow-release fertilizer formulated for woody plants and ArborKelp® is a seaweed-based biostimulant that supports the soil and root system.

ArborHealth®: The Slow-Release Fertilizer

ArborHealth® is SavATree's proprietary slow-release fertilizer, formulated specifically for trees and shrubs. The blend supplies essential macro and micronutrients alongside sea kelp, compounds that support root development, and carbohydrates that feed the soil microbial community.

Most off-the-shelf fertilizers stop at the three primary nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. ArborHealth® widens that nutrient profile and also maintains a measured level of nitrogen. Excess nitrogen can encourage rapid, soft growth that may be more susceptible to certain insects and diseases, creating conditions favorable to plant pathogens, so a measured nitrogen load paired with stronger micronutrient and microbial support produces healthier, more sustainable growth over time.

Because the formulation releases nutrients gradually, a single treatment can support a tree or shrub through a longer stretch of the growing season without the rapid-release cycle that fast-release products often create.

ArborKelp®: The Seaweed-Based Biostimulant

ArborKelp® is SavATree's exclusive biostimulant, derived from seaweed and applied as a complement to fertilization rather than a replacement for it. A biostimulant works on the plant and soil system itself, improving how efficiently roots absorb what's already there.

Applied to a tree or shrub's root zone, ArborKelp® encourages fine root development, supports nutrient uptake, and raises stress tolerance during dry weather and drought. As an organic compound, it also supports soil structure by stimulating microbial activity that supports nutrient availability.

Two situations where ArborKelp® is especially useful:

Newly transplanted trees and shrubs. Nursery stock typically arrives already fertilized, which means additional fertilizer right after planting can do more harm than good. ArborKelp® supports the root establishment phase instead, helping establishment and improving transplant success.

Trees and shrubs under disease or insect pressure. High nitrogen levels can create conditions that favor certain insects and diseases, so a high-nitrogen fertilizer can fuel the very problem an arborist is trying to manage. ArborKelp® supplies nutritional support without that risk, which is why SavATree ISA Certified Arborists often pair it with a targeted insect management, tree disease, or shrub disease treatment plan.

When ArborHealth® and ArborKelp® Are Used Together

When trees and shrubs are under long-term stress, from declining vigor, repeated pest pressure, drought damage, or compacted soils, SavATree ISA Certified Arborists often recommend ArborHealth® and ArborKelp® together. ArborHealth® supplies essential nutrients that may be lacking in the landscape, while ArborKelp® supports root growth, stress tolerance, and beneficial soil biology to help trees and shrubs make better use of those nutrients over time.

ArborHealth® PLUS and ArborKelp® PLUS

ArborHealth® PLUS and ArborKelp® PLUS are the customized versions of the two products. After laboratory soil analysis and an on-property assessment, an ISA Certified Arborist may recommend additions to the base formulation to address specific conditions the soil reveals. Common additions include:

Humic acids and other organic matter
Specific micronutrients such as iron or manganese
Sulfur or lime to adjust soil pH
Mycorrhizae and beneficial bacteria

The PLUS programs sit within SavATree's broader plant health care planning, so timing, application method, and follow-up are coordinated with the rest of the tree or shrub's care calendar rather than handled as a one-off treatment.

Talk to an ISA Certified Arborist

If you've noticed discolored foliage, sparse growth, dieback, have had recent large pruning or suspect your soil may not be the healthiest condition to support your trees and shrubs., an arborist can walk the property and recommend whether ArborHealth®, ArborKelp®, or a PLUS-level program is the right fit. Reach out for a complimentary consultation and we'll recommend the right next steps for your unique needs.

FAQs

ArborHealth® is a slow-release fertilizer that supplies macro and micronutrients and acts like probiotics for your trees and shrubs – it helps correct nutrient deficiencies, strengthen roots and enhance vigor. This proactively keeps plants healthy and helps protect them from threats like insect or disease. It’s made of the highest quality slow-release blend of essential micro and macro nutrients and our exclusive sea-kelp biostimulant, ArborKelp®.

ArborKelp ® is our exclusive powerhouse biostimulant, designed to give a boost to trees or shrubs that may be stressed after pruning, or from insect damage, construction or transplant shock.It works be helping roots absorb existing nutrients more efficiently and raising the plant's tolerance for stress

While ArborHealth ® includes ArborKelp® as an ingredient, the ArborKelp® treatment alone provides an extra boost of support for your soil.
Most nursery stock arrives heavily fertilized, so adding more right away can stress the plant rather than help it. SavATree arborists typically apply ArborKelp® to new plantings instead, since it supports root establishment without the risks that come with extra fertilizer. A full fertilization program can begin the following year once roots are settled.
Excess nitrogen can drive fast, soft top growth that may be more susceptible to certain insects and diseases. ArborHealth® keeps nitrogen in a measured range and emphasizes micronutrients, organic carbohydrates, and microbial food sources that build long-term soil and plant health.
ArborKelp® is well-suited to plants under pest or disease pressure because it delivers nutrition without the high-nitrogen load that can contribute to conditions favoring certain fungi, bacteria, and insects. For an active diagnosis and treatment plan, an ISA Certified Arborist should evaluate the tree or shrub directly.

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21137 reviews

National Average

(a month ago)

Tree came crashing down on my house. Andrew's team showed up the next morning with a crane and got the tree off the house in a few hours.. They knew how nervous I was about the lifting the tree over the house. They made it an easy process and cleaned everything up before they left. I would recommend them to anyone that has a tree issue or just needs a review of their trees. Andrew is an...

tara chandler

(2 months ago)

We had SavATree come out to trim our 2 Cherry and 1 Apple tree that had dead and over grown parts. Chris and Landon were so helpful and went above and beyond with the requests that we had. We asked for the large parts of the tree to be put on the side for fire wood and they cut the wood into small pieces for us all on their own to make it easier for the fire pit. They came on time, worked...

alexandria medeiros

(2 months ago)

Andy and the SavATree team did a great job! They arrived on time and completed the work outlined in the proposal to a high standard. When it was later noticed that one part of the project had been overlooked, they were quick to send a team back out to fix the issue and ensure customer satisfaction. I'd be happy to use them again.

Jeff Sadler

(2 months ago)

Olivia at SavATree was terrific. Her skillful in-person consultation was knowledgeable, detailed, professional and her proposal was prompt, easy to read, and accurate. I got four quotes. SavATree was a bit more expensive than the competitors but Olivia was the differentiator in the consultation/sales process. Before the day of service, Olivia came out a week before and put out "no parking"...

jamison4133

(2 months ago)

Andy and his team did a great job trimming the dead wood from the oak trees in my yard. I would definitely use them again.

Brian Kwik

(2 months ago)

Oswaldo was timely, thoroughly, and professional. He applied fertilizer and treatment for pest on a large tree. He showed excellent customer service by explaining what he was doing. I hope he returns next time to do the roots treatment on the old tree.

Miriam Lizcano

(2 months ago)

The quality of work this company provides cannot be overstated. Having Keith L., a certified arborist, to consult with prior to making any decisions was invaluable. Then to have three of the nicest, most professional individuals show up to do the work was an added bonus. Pencho, Edwin, and Junior worked together like a well-oiled machine. Junior, the crew leader, is phenomenally skilled at...

dl mattila

(2 months ago)

Outstanding workmanship, very reasonably priced, Workers have a great attitude and explain how the trees need to be trimmed. Have recommended Aspen Tree Service - SaveATree to our homeowners association.

Isaiah Knott

(2 months ago)

This is the second time we have hired Sussex Tree for tree removal. They came out quickly to give us an estimate after the big snow storm and their price was fair. We got on the schedule very quickly. Asa and his crew were polite, professional and had all the proper equipment on hand to ensure things were safe and our property was undamaged. They did a great job cleaning up afterwards too!

Rob & Mary Kunzig

(2 months ago)

Quick response to request for estimate with timely follow up. Upon acceptance of estimate the work was done soon after. The day the work was done it rained but work crew completed trimming and cleanup. Everything was to our satisfaction from Corey (arborist) to the work crew and follow up we couldn’t be more satisfied. Will use again if needs arise

Fred Shuck