ShortStop® Tree Growth Regulator is used by Arborists and Landscape Professionals to slow the annual growth of trees and woody shrubs while maximizing the other benefits that accompany the TGR results. The active ingredient in ShortStop TGR is paclobutrazol (22.3%) and is sold in half gallon and gallon containers (approx 2 and 4 liters). ShortStop TGR is competitively priced and PGMS provides support that surpasses all others, from refined arborist rates to extensive background in remedial TGR treatments.


Become more Efficient, Provide Additional Services, and Offer more Therapeutic Solutions for your Clients’ Landscape


The Basics, the Biology, and the Business Solutions


The Basics of how it works:
Shortstop Tree Growth RegulatorShortStop Tree Growth Regulator slows the annual growth of trees and woody shrubs and indirectly creates additional benefits that help trees and woody shrubs withstand urban stress, such as poor soil, limited root space, & drought conditions (Watson 1996, Chaney 2005). The recommended application is sub-soil; either basal drench or soil injection. Growth control on trees varies between 2-4 years and on woody shrubs is about 2 years, depending on average length of growing seasons. For details about application steps or to see a map of length of control, click here.

To determine the volume needed for trees, the species is identified and the diameter at breast height (dbh) is measured. Tree species fall into twelve (12) rate categories and using the dbh of the trunk, the volume can be easily found on our slide chart. Click here to see or order our TGR Rate Slide chart.

NOTE: For over 20 years, Plant Growth Management Systems has refined the tree rates and application process for tree growth regulators. The improved rates, the crown size recommendations, and the differentiation between arborist & utility rates have prevented over-regulation of TGRs for the companies who have utilized them.


 

The Biology of ShortStop TGR:
Plant Growth ManagementThe active ingredient in ShortStop Tree Growth Regulator is paclobutrazol (22.3%). If the application is done during the time the tree is transpiring, the product moves up the tree and collects within the growing points of the branch, the sub-apical meristem. The product takes 20-35 days to move from the roots to the crown. If the application is done in late fall or winter, the product will stay in place until transpiration begins in the spring. Paclobutrazol will not move from the application site because it is water insoluble, thus can be applied at any time of the year (except when soils are frozen or super-saturated).

Once the paclobutrazol reaches the sub-apical meristems, it interferes with the production of gibberellic acid, causing a reduction in the elongation of the cells located there (Chaney 2005). The result is seen as shorter length between internodes on the branch. The overall growth control is 85-95%, except during the first year of application in which growth control is more likely to be 55-70%.

Because energy is reserved due to less cellular elongation, energy is redistributed from the crown to other parts of the tree, including the production of roots hairs and starch reserves. The reduced production of gibberellic acid indirectly manufactures more abscissic acid which helps the tree respond to stressful situations. Other changes occur following a TGR application that benefit trees and woody shrubs in difficult urban environments: smaller stomata, increased leaf hairs, thicker cutin, more chlorophyll production, and enhanced pest resistance. It is these benefits, along with the growth control, that provide a vast array of solutions for Arborists and Landscape Professionals to use with their client services.

Special Opportunities for Utilizing TGR Applications

(Read more by following the links below)



ShortStop TGR Label (Download - PDF)

ShortStop TGR MSDS (Download - PDF)



Other Tree Care Products
Learn more about our other tree care & vegetation management products.
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Qual-Pro - Imidacloprid

ROW Veg. Management Products


Links worth going to….

ISA
TCIA
GREENLEAF CHEMICAL

 

Equipment Page
Interested in EQ for TGR Applications



The Benefits transformed into Business Solutions:
Tree growth regulatorAn application of ShortStop Tree Growth Regulator produces beneficial changes that help with urban stresses in trees and woody shrubs. It can supply a solution to many dilemmas that may arise from your client’s landscape, such as trees damaged from construction or growing close to a picture window, a poolside or an electric line. Specific physiological changes in the leaf after a TGR application, such as smaller stomata, increased leaf hairs, and thicker cutin, can help clients’ trees grow in areas where drought is a common occurrence. Stress on trees growing in poor soil or limited space can be greatly alleviated after a TGR application because the ShortStop enhances root hair growth. For more thorough examples of transforming the benefits that trees or woody shrubs receive from using ShortStop TGR into business solutions see the chart below.

REFERENCES:
Chaney, W.R. 2005 Growth Retardants: A Promising Tool for Managing Urban Trees, FNR-252-W Purdue Extension Publications.
Watson, G., 1996. Tree Root System Enhancement with Paclobutrazol, JOA, 22(5):211-217.


Business Solutions; Creative Uses of TGRs to add to your Arborist Toolbox


Physical Enhancement:

Energy is redistributed
Resulting Advantage Profitable Treatment
Root hair growth increases Better root system creates healthier trees & shrubs
Increased carbohydrate storage Trees & shrubs thrive within urban stress
Root hair growth increases Reduces the impact of construction damaged
Root hair growth increases Enhances survivability during transplant phase
Root hair growth increases Aids in poor soil or limited growing space
Root hair growth increases Long term solution for chlorosis in trees
Root hair growth increases Decline is diminished in mature Oaks
Root hair growth increases Assists in establishing newly planted trees
Increased carbohydrate storage Assists in establishing newly planted trees

Physical Enhancement:

Thicker cuticle on leaf
Resulting Advantage Profitable Treatment
Reduces water vapor loss Helps trees & shrubs resist drought conditions
Changes the leaf physiology Increased pest resistance

Physical Enhancement:

Smaller stomata size
Resulting Advantage Profitable Treatment
Changes the leaf physiology Increased pest resistance
Reduces water vapor loss Reduces impact of drought & urban stress

Physical Enhancement:

Enhanced root hair growth
Resulting Advantage Profitable Treatment
Holds more water in soil Reduces impact of drought & urban stress
Utilizes available minerals Allows for more effective soil enhancements

Physical Enhancement:

Increased leaf hairs
Resulting Advantage Profitable Treatment
Reduces water vapor loss Aids landscape plants in drought-like conditions
Changes the leaf physiology Increased pest resistance

Physical Enhancement:

Reduction of gibberellic acid production
Resulting Advantage Profitable Treatment
Shorter length between internodes of branch Slows the growth of crowded landscape
Shorter length between internodes of branch Good alternative for utility electric trimming
Less elongation of cells in sub-apical meristem Control the growth of woody shrubs & hedges
Less elongation of cells in sub-apical meristem Prevent trees from shading pools, decks & patios
80-95% less annual branch growth Hinder overgrowth on golf courses and at resorts

Physical Enhancement:

Increased production of abscissic acid
Resulting Advantage Profitable Treatment
Helps trees in stressful circumstances Decline is diminished in mature Oaks
Helps trees in stressful circumstances Reduces the impact of construction damage

Physical Enhancement:

More chlorophyll created
Resulting Advantage Profitable Treatment
More green, healthy leave Long term solution for chlorosis in trees
Ability to produce more carbohydrates Help with decline in trees