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Tree-Hold diluted in a combination o£ water and water-base, 

 interior-grade, white latex paint has given good control o£ water 

 sprouts at our Horticultural Research Station in Belchertown. However, 

 more experience is needed to determine its effectiveness when used 

 alone or in combination with herbicides for the control of suckers 

 because failure of Tree-Hold to control dense sucker growth under 

 mature trees has been reported. Thus, we suggest the use of Tree-Hold 

 on a trial basis only for sucker control. 



Mixing for Water Sprout and Sucker Control 



For the control of water sprouts use 10 fluid ounces (2/3 pt) of 

 Tree-Hold and make up to a volume of 1 gallon with a combination of 

 water and interior-grade latex paint. The latex paint "marks" the 

 treated areas and makes the mixture more viscous, thus restricting the 

 NAA to the treated area. It has been our experience that at least 4 

 pints of latex paint should be used in each gallon of treating solution. 

 Be sure to use an interior-grade latex paint and one that does not con- 

 tain a mildewcide. 



For spraying suckers on a trial basis, mix 10 fluid ounces of Tree- 

 Hold with sufficient water to make 1 gallon of spray mixture. Eight 

 gallons of Tree-Hold are required for 100 gallons of spray. 



Control of Water Sprouts 



Prune water sprouts and then apply Tree-Hold mixture thoroughly 

 over the cut surfaces. It can be applied with a paint brush or a small 

 compressed air sprayer. We found that a 1-1/2 gallon compressed air 

 sprayer with a 12-foot hose worked well, and that attaching a sponge 

 to the nozzle was useful for swabbing the mixture on pruning cuts. The 

 treatment can be applied anytime weather permits before growth starts 

 in the Spring. Areas where pruning cuts have been made should be 

 covered thoroughly, but drip on to other parts of the tree should be 

 avoided. The Tree-Hold mixture can kill buds . Be sure to follow the 

 label . 



Control of Suckers 



Prune the suckers during the dormant season. The Tree-Hold mix- 

 ture can be sprayed on the stubs during the dormant season or when the 

 new shoots from the suckers are 6 to 12 inches in height. However, the 

 most effective timing is when the suckers are actively growing. Since 

 the Tree-Hold mixture contains 10,000 ppm NAA, the label restricts its 

 use from bud swell through 4 weeks after petal fall to eliminate the 

 possibility of fruit thinning and leaf damage. Therefore, the Tree- 

 Hold mixture should be sprayed in late-June to mid-July when the suckers 

 are 6 to 12 inches in height. Coverage should be thorough. 



The Tree-Hold mixture is too expensive to apply as a band applica- 

 tion under the trees. Since the population of suckers is generally 

 more dense near the trunk and very troublesome inside wire mouse guards, 

 the spray may be limited to these areas using a compressed air sprayer, 

 a weed sprayer with an air gun, or a weed sprayer and boom with a trunk- 

 directed nozzle. 



