Cyclanilide Spray Increases Branching in Containerized Whip Production

Abstract

Abstract A major goal in the production of tree whips is to produce appropriately sized, well-branched liners with a crown form similar to that of a mature tree. Pruning is used to induce lateral branching. This can result in poor tree quality, reduced growth and the practice is labor intensive. An alternative to mechanical pruning, foliar Cyclanilide® (CYC) sprays at 0, 56, 1 12 and 223 ppm were applied to container grown whips to determine its effect on branching of Amelanchier; Cercis, Malus and Tilia whips. Most species responded to CYC sprays with increased lateral branching if treated during active shoot elongation. Cyclanilide® sprays of 1 12 ppm produced the greatest number of branches. Sprays at 56 ppm resulted in reduced branching (relative to 112 ppm), while sprays of 223 ppm did not increase the number of branches, relative to sprays of 112 ppm, but reduced growth. Cyclanilide® sprays reduced height growth, relative to untreated whips, but did not alter height diameter growth. Cyclanilide® foliar applications to container -grown whips during periods of active shoot elongation increased branching in one-year-old whips that normally do not branch until the second year of production. Further, the origin of lateral branching can be controlled by timing of CYC application. The results indicate that CYC foliar sprays can be an important tool in the production of one-year-old branched whips.