Anyone ever use Cambistat?

18 years ago

The tree company that we've successfully used several times before made an optional recommendation to apply Cambistat growth regulator to a very large Red Maple in the front yard. The maple has always done well in the 12 years we've lived there but we have to get it pruned every 3-4 years when it starts growing too far over the house and sidewalk.

I haven't found much in the way of "real life experience" with Cambistat; most of the things on the web are product information and advertising by tree companies. If the stuff works as advertised with no bad side effects (including shrubs and plants near, but not extremely close to the tree) I might be willing to try it to extend the time between prunings.

On the other hand, I'm tempted not to mess with a good thing and just bite the bullet and prune more often since the tree always bounces back just fine.

Larry

Featured Answer

wisconsitom

18 years ago

Larry, I'm hoping others will contribute more substantial info, but we (the municipality for which I work) had a private tree care firm apply Cambistat along with a systemic insecticide, to young green ash trees in concrete pits in our main commercial district. The idea, not mine BTW, was to prevent unruly growth in these trees and to enhance their root/shoot ratio. The reason I don't feel I'm offering you much is that it did not appear to work! The firm that made the application is a good one with highly competent workers on staff. For whatever reason, it was difficult at best to see any difference between these trees growth and that of numerous others planted that same year without such treatment.

+oM

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Comments (6)

quirkyquercus
18 years ago
Paclobutrazol is another PGR that I read about more often. Any experience with that one WiTom?
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wisconsitom
18 years ago
Quirky, I've long had an interest in that stuff, but thus far, no, I've never used it myself.

+oM
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
18 years ago
hi

are you 'pruning' this tree properly ... or are you 'topping' this tree ....

i dont understand how a properly pruned tree needs to be pruned every 3 or 4 years .... so i suspect it is being topped ....

i doubt you will find anyone here .. who approves of such ...

in my world.... i would not support the tree cutters college fund on repeated toppings, nor his suggestion of sprays that will cause a tree to be dwarf .... either the tree was properly selected for the location or it wasnt ... if you live on a postage stamp lot... you cant grow a 300 foot redwood ....

ergo .... i would tend to lean toward removal and replacement with a tree choosen to fit the spot.. rather than repeated applications of my checkbook to the tree cutters bank statement ...

good luck

ken

PS: on top of which.. having not gotten enough money from you for the repeated cuttings.. he now wants to start spraying the thing .... i suggest at least 3 new opinions on this tree from 3 different arborists .... opinions are free .... and opinions from people who can actually see and visit the tree are much better than our speculation .... though we can help delineate the issues for you ....
FloridaRes
11 years ago
My HOA is seriously considering using the growth deterrent to slow growth of oaks that line our streets. The arborist indicated it would cost up to $500 a tree. Anyone had experience with this on oak trees?
PRO
ArborDocs
8 years ago
I have used Cambistat for a number of years. When applied correctly, it has about a 3-5 year residual (or control). As with any chemical, there are pros and cons. If you have questions, there are many comments on the internet. As for me, I use it on trees that need to focus more on health than growth (root loss for one). I have seen it work very well but I question $500 a tree and the rate may have been wrong for the one that doesn't work. The product works by breaking the hormone that causes elongation limiting annual growth at the tips. The biggest concern I have when using it is that it affects all plants within the root zone of the tree. Grass, mondo, shrubs and understory trees will have some effect by the chemical (reduction in size of leaves and stunted grass and ground cover). I don't use it when the root zone is full of other plants as my customers will not like the effects. Hope this helps.