Tree Sterilization

[treeseer]

Washington DC uses Pinscher growth regulator on female ginkgoes to manage litter nuisance. Also said to be good on sweetgums. Any other success stories with this or other products?

 

[EastwoodGang4]

more info please

could you please elaborate on this product? i've never heard of such a thing. does it make the tree not flower? or does it prevent the fruit/seeds from forming?

 

[ATH]

Washington DC......

'nuff said. Those of us outside of the logic-free zone plant male Gingkos.

Sorry that I have no useful direct experience to add to this thread, but I couldn't resist.

 

[Castenea]

Have used the product. It is intended for use with the Wedgle. Pinscher in my experience tops out at about 70% reduction in fruit. Some of our clients are very satisfied with this amount of fruit reduction, others are unhappy because there is any fruit from the tree.

DC also uses a couple of other fruit removal methods because they are not satisfied with the results, as the sprays are very timing dependent and somewhat more expensive.

 

[Urban Forester]

Pinscher is the "brand name" from Arbor Systems (Wedgle) for Dikegulac Sodium (aka Atrimec, another brand name). I have had the same experience as 'Castenea'. While fruit reduction has been good (in my opinion) some of my clients that got ANY fruit were disappointed. Where I have had good results is in reduction of locust seed pods. I plan to try it this coming season on some Bradford pears. I have clients that want to reduce that fruit (God knows why???)

 

[Urban Forester]

'nuff said. Those of us outside of the logic-free zone plant male Gingkos.

That's classic

 

[S Mc]

'nuff said. Those of us outside of the logic-free zone plant male Gingkos.

An interesting cunumdrum is that you can only be assured that the tree you purchase is male if it is a clone. If started from seed, you won't know until maturity; if it produces fruit or not. And the trees don't mature until they are about 20 years old.

I am always amazed at people's expectations. No mess (so don't plant female trees), no pollen (so don't plant male trees), no leaves ....now wait a minute. Does anybody remember that they are TREES??? They have fruit, they have pollen, they have leaves. They are a living organism that reproduces and grows. It is tough sometimes getting that fact across to our clients.

Ok, sorry. Tired and a bit discouraged tonight.

Sylvia

 

[MarsCrash]

I've tried Florel on a ginkgo

It worked in '07, but this year there was a bumper crop (which I then had to clean from the customers yard). Oh well.

 

[treeseer]

was it treated this year? i hear it's an annual deal.

 

[MarsCrash]

Yeah, I did it both years

On May 6th in '07, and on May 7th in '08. The difference was in growing days, I think. The flowers on ginkgoes are hard to see, and you have to apply Florel (or any other ethephon) at full flower. It was warmer earlier in Detroit this year.

 

[Urban Forester]

It was warmer earlier in Detroit this year.

Good point... That may have been what got me this year too...