Growth Retardants: A Promising Tool for Managing Urban Trees

This publication has been reviewed by: Dr. Jeff Stringer, Un. of Kentucky; Dr. George Parker, Purdue University; Dr. Burnell Fischer, IDNR Division of Forestry; Dr. John Kershaw, Un. of New Brunswick; Mr. Ron Rathfon, Purdue University Trees and shrubs often grow too large for the available space in urban areas. In the past, costly mechanical trimming was the sole method available to arborists and utility foresters to reduce tree and shrub size. Consequently, chemical growth retardants were developed as an inexpensive approach to limit size and the growth rate of trees and, at the same time, to enhance their tolerance to the harsh environmental conditions of urban areas.