Cambistat: More Than Just A Growth Regulator

Cambistat is a product that specializes in reducing tree canopy growth. Its active ingredient Paclobutrazol causes a hormonal change in trees which slows the growth of the canopy. It does this by interacting with two of the hormones that lead to canopy growth in trees.

• Paclobutrazol inhibits gibberellic acid, which is responsible for cell elongation. Thus, new cells are produced; however, their growth is limited.
• Paclobutrazol increases production of abscisic acid, which triggers stomata (leaf pores) to close; this helps thicken the cuticle, reducing water loss in drought conditions and also limiting fungal diseases’ entry into leaves.

Limiting canopy growth can be useful in many cases: trees under electrical wires, trees close to buildings, construction damage, and urban trees with limited root zones. Even large trees have benefited from this treatment; they can have a challenging time taking up essential nutrients and even water throughout a large canopy. By reducing the growth of the canopy over a three-to-four-year span, there are many benefits to the use of Cambistat for trees and shrubs to avoid stress.

When slowing canopy growth with Cambistat, the tree is able to reallocate that energy elsewhere. Most often, that energy is reallocated to additional root growth and improved natural defenses. One side effect to be aware of with the use of this product is that the leaves will often be smaller. As a result, your tree may look thinner for three to four years; but the benefits can often outweigh the change in appearance.

It is important for an ISA Certified Arborist to determine if Cambistat is an appropriate treatment for a tree. If you are interested in learning more, call Wachtel Tree Science.

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