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TreeSpecialist · 15th April 2008, 04:42 AM

TGR's are curious things to play with - a little like juggling dynamite.

Several years ago, TGR's were going to save the utility companies millions of dollars. Several of my utility friends have told me the horror stories they experienced with the various products. No utility around here are using TGR's as a result. If they worked predictably, you can bet that the utility folks would have no problem with using them every day.

If you can believe even half of the literature that accompanies the product you mentioned, it sounds too good to be true.

In the right tree, at the right time, with the correct dosage and the right delivery system, TGR's do marvelous things to the tree - short term. Smaller leaves, slower growth, but with more leaves and more leaf surface and increased levels of chlorophyll resulting in a darker green color.

The problem I have with paclobutrazol is that the formula (dosage) is different between different species and that they keep changing.

Too much can result in leaves 1/5 to 1/10 the normal size.

Too little results in no change at all.

In areas where ground water is a concern (most of where I live), I worry about dumping chemicals on the ground and where they will end up.

Also, if something is designed to be absorbed right through the suberized root collar, then how easily could it be absorbed through your skin.

The solution for silver leaf maples is to reduce their crowns - kept them compact. Or as we do around here, a single cut about 1 inch above grade does the trick. Replacement with a more appropriate species seems to be a better choice than pouring chemicals around the base of a tree in an effort to make it something it never will be.

Just my 2 cents.....

15th April 2008, 04:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
TreeSpecialist Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 122	Re: TGR s TGR's are curious things to play with - a little like juggling dynamite. Several years ago, TGR's were going to save the utility companies millions of dollars. Several of my utility friends have told me the horror stories they experienced with the various products. No utility around here are using TGR's as a result. If they worked predictably, you can bet that the utility folks would have no problem with using them every day. If you can believe even half of the literature that accompanies the product you mentioned, it sounds too good to be true. In the right tree, at the right time, with the correct dosage and the right delivery system, TGR's do marvelous things to the tree - short term. Smaller leaves, slower growth, but with more leaves and more leaf surface and increased levels of chlorophyll resulting in a darker green color. The problem I have with paclobutrazol is that the formula (dosage) is different between different species and that they keep changing. Too much can result in leaves 1/5 to 1/10 the normal size. Too little results in no change at all. In areas where ground water is a concern (most of where I live), I worry about dumping chemicals on the ground and where they will end up. Also, if something is designed to be absorbed right through the suberized root collar, then how easily could it be absorbed through your skin. The solution for silver leaf maples is to reduce their crowns - kept them compact. Or as we do around here, a single cut about 1 inch above grade does the trick. Replacement with a more appropriate species seems to be a better choice than pouring chemicals around the base of a tree in an effort to make it something it never will be. Just my 2 cents.....