Cyclanilide Spray Increases Branching in Containerized Whip Production

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® fol...