TGRs - Cambistat

ABOUT TREE GROWTH REGULATION
Gibberellic acid is the plant hormone responsible for cell elongation.  Tree growth regulation takes place by inhibiting the formation of gibberellic acid in the isoprenid pathway in the subapical meristems of the tree.
A reduction in vegetative growth is advantageous for trees in many situations.  Most directly, this technology delays trees from growing into power lines.  This is most important with high maintenance trees, “cycle buster” trees, trees that are difficult to access, and costly trees to trim – allowing companies peace of mind in providing safe, reliable power.

ABOUT CAMBISTAT®
Cambistat is a soil-applied tree growth regulator that reduces growth.  A single application provides these benefits for multiple years depending on use and location.  Using the highest percentage of active ingredient (AI) of a molecule called paclobutrazol, which belongs to a highly active group of growth regulating compounds called triazoles.  Cambistat is the newest generation of tree growth regulators that reduces shoot growth by 40-70% and induces secondary responses that are beneficial to tree health.  This occurs by inhibition of the formation of gibberellic acid in the isoprenoid pathway in the subapical meristems of the tree.

ABOUT THE BENEFITS
Growth reduction results in improved reliability, reduced costs, safer working conditions, and improved customer relations.  The benefits from Cambistat will typically last for three years from only one treatment.  To maintain growth control, suggested retreatment should happen every three years, or when normal growth resumes.

ABOUT PREDICTABLE RESULTS
Sight-line Solutions and the Rainbow Treecare Companies are rooted in science.  In order to deliver products with predictable results, the research must reflect the reality.  Cambistat is the most researched product on the market.  Scientists have been researching the active ingredient in Cambistat, paclobutrazol, for over 25 years.  There are over 30 research trials in progress across the United States to ensure we have current data.  We realize each region has different needs, and due to our extensive research there are over 100 species of trees approved on the label for treatment.  

ABOUT CAMBISTAT APPLICATION
As with any treatment, proper application is imperative for success.  Proper application comes from using verified protocols, precise equipment, and trained applicators.  Protocols have been developed to determine proper dosage rates by species, diameter at breast height (DBH), and canopy size.  There are two types of application methods: basal drench or soil injection.  Sight-line Solutions provides highly trained applicators or provides training to application companies.  Sight-line Solutions has developed a comprehensive training program to ensure every applicator that steps in the field has an understanding of the protocol, the method, the equipment, the importance of proper documentation, and the objective.  The culmination of all the proper application components is predictable results.

ABOUT COST REDUCTION
Line clearance costs can be reduced in multiple ways.  The most common ways are: first, by extending the overall cycle period by one or more years, and second, by holding fast growing “cycle buster” trees until normal trim rotation.  Trimming residue (biomass) is also reduced on treated trees which in turn helps improve crew productivity and reduces disposal costs.  Reducing costs on line clearance allows the utility to incorporate more tools into their Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) plan.  

ABOUT GETTING STARTED
There are many beneficial ways to begin a TGR program.  Treating short clearance trees or “cycle buster” trees is a way for a utility to receive a quick return on investment (ROI).  Treating trees with difficult access or trees with high amounts of manual labor are ways that a utility can achieve a large ROI.  Working with sensitive customers to reduce frequency or amount of trimming is another common approach to getting started.  Sight-line Solutions can analyze your utility system and determine where Cambistat can be incorporated into your IVM program.