	Advancing the Science of Tree Care
	About Us \| Careers \| Contact Us \| Suggestions & Feedback \| Site Map \| Links & Resources \| Home

Using Cambistat to help manage

Urban Tree Stress

Why urban trees are stressed

Trees growing in urban areas and yards typically live much shorter lives than trees growing in natural settings. Some research shows trees only live to be about 10 years old in very difficult downtown settings. What makes urban sites and yards such stressful places for trees to grow?

Restricted root space – Building foundations, streets, driveways, and other obstacles limit the expansion of tree roots and significantly reduce the amount of water and minerals available to the tree.
Compacted soils – Urban soils are usually compacted from human activity, and this creates stress for a tree. Soils can become difficult for roots to penetrate, and compacted soils hold much less water and oxygen which are critical for tree health.
Competition – Most yards have a dense layer of turf that surrounds a tree. Turf aggressively competes for minerals and water, which reduces their availability to other plants. Adding several inches of mulch within the dripline of the tree reduces competition with turf, keeps the soil cooler, and holds more moisture.

Slower growing trees

A common myth is that a faster growing tree is healthier than a slower growing tree. The truth is that slower growing trees will outlive trees that grow faster, especially in situations where space and resources are limited such as yards. The chart below shows some important differences between a tree growing relatively faster or slower.

cambistat treated tree

Slower Growth is Beneficial
Tree Characteristic	Tree Growth Rate Comparison
	Faster Growth	Slower Growth
Resource Demand	Higher	Lower
Sensitivity to Resource Availability	Higher	Lower
Stored Energy Reserves	Lower	Higher
Root/Shoot Ratio	Lower	Higher
Sensitivity to Stress or Damage	More Sensitive	Less Sensitive
Overall Tree Durability	Less Durable	More Durable

An integrated approach

When caring for urban trees it is important to make a thorough evaluation of the site to accurately diagnose all stressing agents and tailor your recommendation to the specific circumstances. These must be dealt with so that your tree can live to its fullest potential. Utilize your arborist for a comprehensive maintenance program.

Benefits of Cambistat for Urban Trees

Cambistat is a soil applied product that is absorbed through the roots. Cambistat gently slows the growth of trees, allowing the tree to redirect some of its energy from canopy growth to defense chemicals, fibrous root production, and other uses. The resulting reallocation of energy makes your tree healthier and more durable.

Drought is a major cause of tree death and decline in the urban landscape. Research shows Cambistat increases drought resistance by helping the tree reduce water losses during dry, hot periods.

Cambistat changes some important physical traits of leaves. Leaves of treated trees tend to be greener (higher concentrations of chlorophyll) than untreated and have an enhanced protective barrier (thicker leaf surface and denser surface hairs).
thicker leaves

Research has shown Cambistat increasesfine root density in trees
denser roots

Please contact us for information on where to purchase Cambistat.

cambistat Convenient
pour spout >>>

Cambistat is a new generation tree growth regulator with superior formulation.

Situations for Use

Cambistat has a broad range of uses from slowing the growth of a tree planted too close to a house to being a component of a comprehensive management program to rehabilitate an injured root system.