Profile 2SC - Tree Growth Regulator

Health and the Environment

Profile 2SC has a "caution" signal word on its label, the lowest human-hazard signal word category allowed under federal regulation. This classification is based on the concentrated form of a product. To receive registration, more than 120 environmental and toxicological studies on Profile 2SC have been reviewed and accepted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While the EPA has evaluated the toxicity of Profile 2SC as a concentrate, licensed professionals add 11 gallons of water to every gallon of Profile 2SC to create an even more diluted solution before applying the tree-growth regulator (TGR) around the base of the tree. Applicators wear long-sleeved shirts and gloves, as required by the Worker Protection Standards, so they can avoid direct contact during product mixing. Once the product is injected into the ground, it is absorbed through the less suberized roots just below the soil line. Here the bark is more permeable to Profile 2SC due to a thinner cork layer. In addition, breaks in the outer root tissue created by normal growth processes provide pathways to the xylem. It is then carried in the transpiration stream to the tree crown. This closed injection environment reduces product exposure to people and wildlife.

History and Testing

TGR technologies have been available for nearly three decades. Researchers have conducted numerous and thorough tests on TGRs during that time, enough to develop a large research database. In addition, the nursery and florist industries have used growth regulators for many years to produce more compact and marketable plants. The same basic chemistry used for smaller plants is also available for trees. The data package on the active ingredient in Profile 2SC, paclobutrazol, goes back to the early 1970s.

Profile 2SC and the Tree

It's unlikely you can over-regulate a tree if you follow label and rate card instructions. In historical cases of accidental overdose with trunk-injected TGRs, trees exhibited signs of severe regulation. They typically resumed normal growth processes in time, with little indication of permanent adverse effects. Because of the mode-of-action of Profile 2SC, it's unlikely for it to adversely affect a tree. In fact, research from the Morton Arboretum, Purdue University and utility field trials shows that trees treated with Profile 2SC may have a better ability to survive some diseases and infestations and to withstand environmental concerns like drought, pollution and temperature extremes. From this work, it appears that, by reducing tree stress, Profile 2SC may give the tree greater ability to withstand some harmful conditions.

Profile 2SC and Groundwater

Movement of Profile 2SC in soils have been evaluated in both laboratory and field studies. The results of the laboratory studies assess the potential mobility of Profile 2SC as "low" based on experiments to determine the movement of the active ingredient, paclobutrazol through various soil columns. The field evaluations consisted of soil dissipation studies on Florida sand, West Virginia clay loam and California sandy loam. Profile 2SC was applied to the soils as a subsurface injection at several times the maximum label rate for a large tree. The results indicated that Profile 2SC was not highly mobile in soil; it remained high localized at the points of application up to 12 months after treatment. The majority of the solution stayed within the top 16 inches, with only trace movement downward. Based on this company study, it can be concluded that groundwater contamination is unlikely. Moreover, Profile 2SC is essentially used in a spot treatment application so that even with trace movement from a particular tree, there is a large overall dilution factor on a per area basis.

Profile 2SC and Surrounding Vegetation

Note that application of Profile 2SC may result in localized, temporary discoloration of turfgrass immediately adjacent to the treatment site. In addition, shrubs and flowers directly in contact with treated soil will exhibit signs of regulation. These are natural responses of the vegetation and can be severe if their roots extend into the treatment zone.

Profile 2SC and Fruit/Nut Trees

Non-bearing trees of all types can be treated, but the label of Profile 2SC in the United States restricts the use of Profile 2SC on nut and fruit trees as well as sugar maples that may be tapped for sugar. The reason for this label statement is that residue tolerances must be established by the EPA before any product can be used on food crops in the United States. Obtaining residue tolerances for different fruits, nuts or maple sugar would entail extensive analysis of these food products from treated trees. In the absence of residue data, the EPA requires that restrictions be put on the label to ensure that these trees are not treated. For business reasons, this product has been restricted at this time from use in the United States on trees that can be harvested for food. The same active ingredient in Profile 2SC, paclobutrazol, is marketed by Zeneca Inc. in several countries outside the United States under the trademark of Cultar. Cultar growth regulator is used on a variety of fruit trees such as apple, pear, cherry and peach in several European countries, Australia and Japan. To achieve these registrations, the company conducted extensive residue work since these countries uphold similar or identical requirements to the EPA. In all cases, residue studies done with paclobutrazol under the registration requirements of each country led to the establishment of a tolerance on various fruit trees.

Profile 2SC and Mulch

TGRs have been used since 1989 and there have been no reported instances of biomass from Profile 2SC-treated trees causing any adverse effects. Additionally, results in studies conducted at Purdue University have shown that mulch from trees treated with TGRs will not have a negative impact on plants when used in conventional mulching. Further, since these studies were conducted on green "un-composted chips," the process of composting should further reduce any potential for paclobutrazol residue.

Precautions and Guidelines

It's important to take the necessary precautions when handling, mixing and applying Profile 2SC. Take the time to read the entire label carefully and utilize the product only according to label instructions. Always wear protective clothing including long sleeves, pants, socks, work shoes, rubber gloves and safety glasses. Applicator trucks should be equipped with an equipment cleanup kit and a spill kit including clean rags, an absorbing agent, empty pails, a shovel, garbage bags and water for rinsing. Profile 2SC is harmful if swallowed or absorbed through the skin so applicators should avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing. After handling Profile 2SC, wash thoroughly with soap and water. Remove any contaminated clothing and gear and wash it before reuse. Clean all application equipment thoroughly. And, as it should not be stored or used near heat or open flame, smoking is not recommended while handling or applying Profile 2SC.

Notice: Read the entire label. Use only according to label directions. Before buying or using Profile 2SC, read "Warranty Disclaimer" and "Limitation of Remedies" on the product label.

In case of emergency endangering health or the environment involving Profile 2SC, call INFOTRAC at 1-800-535-5053.

First Aid
If swallowed: Call a physician or Poison Control Center. Drink one or two glasses of water and induce vomiting. Do not induce vomiting or administer anything orally to an unconscious person.

If on skin: Wash with plenty of soap and water.

If in eyes: Flush with plenty of water. Get medical attention if irritation persists.

Environmental Hazards
Do not apply Profile 2SC through any type of irrigation system. Do not apply directly to water, to areas where surface water is present or to intertidal areas below the mean high water mark. Trees that are near a water well should not be treated. Finally, do not contaminate water when disposing of equipment washwaters (rinsate).

There is no need to avoid burning leaves and wood from a treated tree. Burning the trace amounts of Profile 2SC found in leaves or wood of a treated tree breaks the compound down into harmless elements.

Physical or Chemical Hazards
Do not use or store near heat or open flame.

Storage and Disposal
Keep the Profile 2SC container closed when not in use and always protect the liquid from freezing. In case of a spill or leak on a floor or paved surface, soak up the solution with sand, earth or synthetic absorbent and dispose of the waste in a utility row, substation or chemical waste area. Do not ship or store Profile 2SC with food, feeds, drugs or clothing. Prevent contaminating water, food or feed by properly disposing of Profile 2SC, its empty containers or equipment washwaters. Thoroughly flush all application equipment such as injectors after use. Open dumping is, of course, prohibited and the empty container should never be reused. Triple rinse all empty containers and offer them for recycling or reconditioning, or puncture and dispose of them in a sanitary landfill, by incineration or, if allowed by state and local authorities, by burning. If you do burn an empty Profile 2SC container, stay out of smoke.

Improper disposal of any pesticide, spray mixture or rinsate is a violation of Federal law. If you are unable to comply with label instructions, contact your state pesticide or environmental control agency, or the hazardous waster representative at the nearest EPA regional office for guidance.