SuperThrive Tree Hormone (Growth Field Test)
To test whether SUPERthrive helps trees grow, compare label-treated trees with similar untreated trees while keeping all other care the same. Record a baseline, measure the same growth after one full growing season, and report results for every tree. A small, poorly controlled trial cannot prove the product works or that growth gains mean stronger, safer trees.
A tree that looks slow to establish can make any growth aid seem worth trying. But if you change watering, fertilizer, pruning, or several products at once, you cannot tell what caused a difference. A careful field test gives you a more useful answer: whether a specific product, used as its current label directs, changed a measured outcome under your site conditions.
In my work with urban trees, I have learned that a greener canopy or longer shoot is not, by itself, proof of stronger roots or better structure. Treat this as a small, controlled comparison, not a promise of faster growth. The exact formulation and directions matter, so check the container in hand rather than relying on another bottle’s instructions or an online dose.
What this tree growth test can tell you
A field test compares treated trees with untreated trees under similar conditions. It can show whether the treated group changed more on a chosen measure during the test period, but it cannot establish that the product will work for other species, sites, or years.
SUPERthrive products and labels may differ. Before planning, record the exact product name and formulation, lot number, and current label directions. Do not assume that an application rate or method from a different product version applies to yours.
Also define the question narrowly. For example: “Does this label-directed treatment change annual shoot extension in these young trees after one growing season?” That is answerable. “Does it make trees healthier?” is too broad unless you define what “healthier” means and measure it.
A growth response is not proof of improved structural strength, lower failure risk, or a cure for poor planting conditions. The test also does not replace sound watering, soil care, pest diagnosis, or qualified arboricultural advice.
Plan a fair comparison before applying anything
A control group is the set of trees that receives no test product. Comparing it with a treated group helps separate a possible product effect from normal differences in weather, soil, and tree growth. Choose and mark trees before you mix the product.
Choose and assign trees
Use trees of the same species, similar size, and similar age or planting history where possible. They should also have comparable light, soil, drainage, and irrigation. Avoid comparing a sheltered lawn tree with one growing in compacted pavement soil.
If the site has clear differences, such as an irrigated section and a dry one, divide it into blocks. A block is a small group of trees with similar conditions. Within each block, randomly assign trees to treatment or control. This spreads both groups across the site instead of putting all treated trees in one area.
Aim for at least 10 treated and 10 control trees where feasible. More trees generally make a comparison less vulnerable to one unusual result. If you have fewer, you can still keep records, but describe the result as a small, local observation rather than firm evidence.
Set one primary measure
Choose one main outcome before treatment. Annual shoot extension is practical: mark the same shoots, then measure their length in centimeters at the same seasonal stage the next year. Select shoots in a consistent part of the canopy and use the same approach on every tree.
Record baseline measurements before application. You can also note survival, leaf condition, or visible injury as secondary observations, but do not switch your main outcome after seeing which result looks best. Growth measures should be interpreted in context: shoot length alone does not show root health or branch strength.
| Trial item | Recommended approach | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Treated group | At least 10 trees where feasible | Shows variation among treated trees |
| Control group | Similar number, untreated | Provides a same-site comparison |
| Main measure | Marked shoot extension in cm | Makes growth measurable and repeatable |
| Timing | Baseline, then same seasonal stage after one full growing season | Limits seasonal measurement differences |
| Other care | Keep it the same for both groups | Helps isolate the product’s possible effect |
Check the label and prepare the site safely
The product label is the authority for application rate, route, precautions, storage, and disposal. Use only a method and rate permitted for the exact product and intended tree use. If the label does not clearly support your planned application, do not infer a rate from another source; ask the manufacturer or a qualified arborist.
Use a clean, graduated measuring device so you can measure the product and water accurately. Follow the label’s personal protective equipment (PPE) instructions. Avoid eye and skin contact, spray drift, and exposure to pets, workers, sensitive plants, and waterways.
Check site conditions before treating. Do not apply to drought-stressed, waterlogged, or otherwise compromised trees unless the label and a qualified arborist support that use. An excessive or unverified concentration can injure trees and make the test meaningless.
Keep a written record of the product formulation, lot, label rate, dilution, and application method. Also record date, weather, soil moisture, and the amount applied per tree. Prepare only the amount needed, and do not store diluted mixture unless the label explicitly allows it.
Apply the treatment and keep care consistent
Application means using the exact label-directed route and amount on the assigned trees. Measure the water and product, mix only at the label rate, and apply evenly by the permitted method. Do not improvise a stronger dose or combine products unless the label authorizes it.
- Confirm each tree’s treatment or control mark against your field sheet.
- Measure and mix the product according to the current label.
- Apply the label-directed amount only to treatment trees.
- Keep controls untreated with the product, while giving both groups the same ordinary care.
- Record application details and any unusual event, such as rain, irrigation, or accidental drift.
Keep irrigation, fertilizer, pruning, and pest treatments as similar as possible between groups. If a tree needs urgent care, do not withhold it for the sake of the test. Provide the care, record what changed, and note that the tree may no longer be directly comparable.
Measure after a full growing season
Use the same observer, ruler or tape, marked shoots, and measurement method each time. Measure at the same seasonal stage as your baseline, after one full growing season. Take photographs from fixed locations to document general appearance, but use the preselected measurement as your primary result.
For each tree, calculate the change from baseline:
Change in shoot extension = follow-up measurement − baseline measurement
Then compare the average change in treated trees with the average change in controls. Report the number of trees measured, individual results, and any losses or protocol changes. Do not hide trees that died, were pruned, or received different care; those events affect how readers should interpret the comparison.
A difference is inconclusive if the groups had different irrigation, pruning, pest pressure, soil conditions, or other care. One season or a small sample cannot establish broad effectiveness. Weather can also affect growth in both groups, which is why same-site controls are useful.
Worked examples: how to interpret a field test
These are hypothetical examples for interpreting results, not published trials or claims about product performance.
Example A: Comparable care. A property steward assigns similar maples across one site to treatment and control. After a full season, the treated group shows more shoot extension, but several individual trees overlap with the control range. The steward reports the measured difference, variation, and site limits, rather than claiming the product caused a guaranteed response.
Example B: Unequal watering. All treated trees receive regular irrigation, while control trees do not. If treated trees grow more, the test cannot separate the possible product effect from the watering difference. The result is confounded, meaning more than one factor could explain it.
Example C: Visible injury. Leaves or shoots show concerning symptoms after application. Stop further treatment, document the symptoms and conditions, and contact the manufacturer or a qualified arborist. Do not increase or repeat the dose to “correct” the result.
Records, cleanup, and limits of the result
Good records make a small test more credible. Note rainfall and irrigation, fertilizer, pruning, transplanting, pests, disease, and unusual weather throughout the season. Do not make one group receive extra care unless safety or tree health requires it; if you do, record the change.
After application, close and store the product as its label directs. Clean measuring and application equipment according to the label, and keep rinse water out of drains and waterways. Store the container labeled and securely closed.
If you see possible injury, stop treatment and seek advice rather than trying a new concentration. Even a clear growth difference in this trial does not prove stronger branch attachments, lower hazard, or lasting benefits. Good planting, suitable soil conditions, proper watering, and professional assessment remain important parts of tree care.
Frequently asked questions
Does SUPERthrive make trees grow faster?
A specific product may or may not affect growth under particular conditions. A controlled comparison using the current label rate is needed to assess a measurable change at your site. Do not assume a response is guaranteed.
What dose should I use on trees?
Use only the rate and application method on the current label for the exact product. Formulations and directions can differ, so do not borrow a rate from another bottle or an online recommendation.
How many trees do I need for a useful test?
Aim for at least 10 treated and 10 untreated trees where feasible. A smaller test can provide local observations, but results will be more sensitive to differences among individual trees.
How long should the test run?
Measure a baseline, then repeat at the same seasonal stage after one full growing season. A one-year result applies only to that test period and does not prove a lasting or general effect.
Can I compare treated trees with trees in a different yard?
That comparison is weak because soil, light, weather exposure, watering, and tree history may differ. Choose similar trees at the same site when possible, and spread treatment and control trees across comparable areas.
Should I change watering or fertilizer during the test?
Keep both groups’ care the same. If one group receives more water or fertilizer, any growth difference could be due to that change rather than the product.
Does longer shoot growth mean the tree is stronger?
No. Shoot extension measures growth, not structural strength, root condition, or failure risk. A growth response should not be used as proof that a tree is safer.
What if a treated tree looks damaged?
Stop further treatment, record symptoms and application details, and contact the product manufacturer or a qualified arborist. Do not increase the concentration or repeat the application as a remedy.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Nathan Pierce. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
