Until recently, home and property owners have had to rely solely on traditional pruning practices for managing the shape and size of trees and shrubs in the landscape – but in some cases, pruning alone can be a costly option. Fortunately, another solution is now available - the use of tree growth regulators, also known as TGR’s. These products offer a valuable pruning alternative that is being increasingly utilized by arborists for general growth and size management. And interestingly, their use also comes with a number of side benefits that significantly enhance the overall health and appearance of trees and shrubs - so much so that TGR’s are now being prescribed on their own as a treatment option for Plant Health Care.
What are tree growth regulators and how do they work?
Tree growth regulatorsare products that mimic plant hormones to control growth patterns in trees - and in the hands of an experienced arborist, TGR’s can be a remarkably effective treatment for improving tree and shrub health.They work by inhibiting the production of specific plant growth hormones – called gibberellins - which are responsible for plant cell elongation, a physiological process that influences the above ground growth of trees and other plants. By limiting gibberellin synthesis, TGR’s slow down the growth of new shoots, and height and width increases in both trees and shrubs may be curbed significantly.
As a byproduct of reducing the rate of top growth, TGR’s redirect energy to other physiological processes that stimulate root development and bolster overall health, defense, and energy resources – promoting fine root growth, augmenting disease resistance, and increasing chlorophyll production. Over time, this results in trees and shrubs that are not only more compact and manageable but also better equipped to withstand environmental stressors – and their color and aesthetic appearance can improve significantly, looking greener, fuller and more naturally vibrant.
Taking a look at the incredible health benefits of TGR’S
The health benefits of TGR’s really are nothing short of amazing. One of the most significant effects is the stimulation of fine root development. This results in a more expansive, denser root system which greatly improves a tree’s capability to absorb water and soil nutrients – giving it a game changing advantage in being able to withstand the daunting challenges of drought and summer heat.
Other upsides of TGR’s include
- Reallocating energy toward bolstering defense mechanisms that make trees and shrubs more resilient to pest and disease attacks. This not only benefits the tree but also helps reduce the amount of pesticide inputs that would be going into the environment for treatments.
- With the use of TGR’s there is no canopy or leaf loss, which has multiple health and aesthetic advantages for both trees and shrubs. By limiting the amount of cutting, wounding to live tissue is minimized, which lowers exposure to pests and pathogens and lowers stress responses.
- TGR’s cause leaves and stems to grow thicker and denser, which further bolsters their ability to ward off pests and diseases while enhancing a fuller growth habit.
- TGR’s also increase chlorophyll production, which results in greener leaves with improved color and vibrancy. Since chlorophyll is responsible for photosynthesis, this augments the amount of energy resources that are made available to the tree.
Overall, tree growth regulators present a more progressive science-based approach to growth control and landscape management. They can be a win-win where pruning maintenance is reduced while enhancing other plant health benefits and property aesthetics – saving costs, beautifying landscapes, and offering both immediate and lasting returns on investment.
Pairing TGR’s with a Soil Health Program maximizes tree health benefits – completing the picture for a holistic approach to tree care.
As amazing as TGR’s are for promoting plant and tree health, their potential may be cut short if obstacles are left in place that interfere with a tree’s underground growth. Soil compaction is especially problematic – restricting root development and limiting soil porosity needed for water retention and gas exchange. So, relieving these issues with Monster’s Soil Health Program is crucial to the success of TGR applications - setting the stage for trees and shrubs to establish, grow, and thrive.
Tree growth regulators are a smart solution that not only saves money on maintenance expenses but offers additional environmental advantages.
Implementing tree growth regulators is an attractive money saving option that lowers costs and labor resources, reduces water usage, and curtails inputs for pest and disease management. TGR’s can also minimize the environmental footprint associated with property upkeep, as fewer pruning cycles translate into reduced fossil fuel consumption, lower carbon emissions, and less noise pollution in residential areas. For those looking to prioritize both economic savings and ecological stewardship, tree growth regulators represent an innovative approach that aligns tree care with broader sustainability goals.
In terms of sustainability, cost management, and plant health benefits – not to mention some head-turning curb appeal - tree growth regulators are one of the sharpest tools on the cutting edge of tree care. Talk to your Monster arborist about tree growth regulators and our other holistic Plant Health Care solutions – and take the health and beauty of your trees and landscape from the ordinary to the outer limits!