Research & Field Studies
A collection of research articles and field studies related to tree injection, plant health, and integrated pest management.
On this page, you'll find a collection of research articles and field studies related to tree injection, plant health, and integrated pest management. Each paper listed below includes a brief summary and a downloadable PDF for your reference.
While not all of these studies were funded by Mauget, each one includes the use of Mauget products, devices, or formulations in its research methods or results. Together, they highlight decades of real-world data and university-backed science supporting the efficacy and safety of trunk injection as a tool for modern tree care.
ArborFos™ and Tebuject™ 16 Provide Control During Two-Year Period of High Disease Pressure
Terry Tattar, Ph.D., and Arnold Farran
This study, conducted at the University of San Diego, evaluated the effectiveness of Mauget's ArborFos™ (phosphite formulation) and Tebuject™ 16 (tebuconazole fungicide) in controlling anthracnose disease on sycamore trees. Researchers tested single and double micro-infusion treatments over two growing seasons during a period of unusually high disease pressure. Both products significantly reduced anthracnose severity, with ArborFos showing extended control into a second year after a single injection. Results confirmed that trunk-injected fungicides can provide long-term anthracnose suppression without repeated foliar sprays.
Comparison of Trunk Micro-Injected Materials to Suppress Oak Root Fungus (Armillaria mellea) on Blue Gum
Heather B. Vallier, Ph.D., The Crop Doctor Laboratory, Cambria, CA
This California field study evaluated several Mauget-compatible injection treatments—ArborFos® (phosphite), Tebuject® 16 (tebuconazole), and a Bacillus subtilis formulation—for their ability to suppress Armillaria mellea infection in blue gum eucalyptus. Trees were treated once or twice over two years at a heavily infested site on the Nipomo Mesa. All injected trees improved compared with controls, but ArborFos provided the most rapid and sustained suppression, significantly reducing disease severity and increasing canopy density. Results suggest that repeated phosphite injections can slow Armillaria decline and improve tree vigor in infected ornamental and landscape trees.
Advances in Insecticide Tools and Tactics for Protecting Conifers from Bark Beetle Attack
Christopher J. Fettig, Donald M. Grosman, and A. Steven Munson
This chapter provides a detailed overview of modern insecticide strategies used to protect western conifers from bark beetle infestations, including both preventative bole sprays and systemic trunk injections. The authors review the performance and environmental safety of active ingredients such as carbaryl, bifenthrin, permethrin, emamectin benzoate, and abamectin, highlighting their effectiveness and duration of protection across beetle species and tree types. The study emphasizes that tree injections are becoming a preferred, low-drift alternative to traditional sprays in sensitive environments and forecasts increasing reliance on formulations like TREE-äge™ and Abacide™ 2 for individual high-value tree protection.
Control of Cycad Aulacaspis Scale Using Imicide® Trunk Microinjection
Terry A. Tattar, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, and Arnold Farran, J.J. Mauget Company
This study tested Mauget's Imicide® (10% imidacloprid) injections for control of Asian cycad scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui), an invasive pest devastating ornamental cycads in the U.S. Nine heavily infested cycads were monitored for 60 days following treatment. Imicide injections reduced scale populations by over 70% within 30 days and maintained suppression through 60 days, while untreated controls rebounded sharply. Results demonstrate that systemic trunk injection with Imicide provides rapid, effective, and lasting control of this difficult armored scale pest.
Fidelity and Timing of Spotted Lanternfly Attack Patterns on Ornamental Trees
Charles J. Mason, Brian Walsh, Joseph Keller, John J. Couture, Dennis Calvin, and Julie M. Urban
This study examined how spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) selects and attacks specific ornamental trees—particularly red and silver maples—across suburban Pennsylvania landscapes. Researchers tracked late-season lanternfly movements and found that individual trees within the same species were attacked disproportionately, showing consistent 'tree fidelity.' Foliar nutrient composition, especially higher nitrogen and calcium levels, correlated with heavier infestations, suggesting that tree nutrition influences lanternfly host preference. These findings reveal why certain trees become hotspots for infestation and provide insight for targeted management in residential areas.
Dutch Elm Disease: Field Evaluation of Mauget Fungisol®
J.J. Mauget Company, in cooperation with university and municipal arborists
This field trial investigated the effectiveness of Mauget's Fungisol® (thiabendazole) injections for managing Dutch elm disease (Ophiostoma ulmi) in urban elms showing early symptoms. Treated trees exhibited significant reductions in vascular discoloration and canopy dieback compared to untreated controls. Results showed that preventive applications offered the best protection, with treated elms remaining symptom-free for up to two years. The study reinforced the value of systemic fungicide injection as a practical and environmentally contained method for protecting valuable elms in municipal settings.
Efficacy of Trunk Microinjection to Control Elm Anthracnose in Chinese Elm
Terry A. Tattar, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, and Arnold Farran, J.J. Mauget Company
This study evaluated multiple Mauget microinjection formulations—including Tebuject® (12%, 14%, and 16% tebuconazole), Fungisol®, ArborFos®, and Vigor 53® (phosphite)—for their ability to suppress anthracnose in Chinese elm trees across two test sites in southern California. All treatments, except Fungisol, significantly improved tree health compared to untreated controls, with Tebuject 16% and ArborFos producing the strongest disease suppression. Results also suggested irrigation enhanced product efficacy, likely by increasing systemic uptake. The study concluded that trunk injections of tebuconazole or phosphite fungicides are effective tools for managing elm anthracnose, and potentially other hardwood anthracnose diseases.
Fungicides for Dutch Elm Disease: Comparative Evaluation of Commercial Products
Gerald N. Lanier, Journal of Arboriculture, August 1987
This independent two-year field study compared several commercial systemic fungicides—including Fungisol® (Mauget), Arbotect® 20-S, Phyton-27®, and Binab-T®—for their ability to protect American elms against Dutch elm disease (Ceratocystis ulmi). Arbotect showed the strongest preventive and therapeutic effect, with no treated trees developing disease symptoms, while Fungisol and Binab demonstrated significant prophylactic benefits with minimal internal wounding. Phyton treatments provided limited control and caused more internal discoloration. The study confirmed that Fungisol is a low-injury systemic option offering measurable disease suppression when used preventively.
Treatment of Pitch Canker on Monterey Pine With Fungisol Injection
Steven A. Tjosvold and Arthur H. McCain, University of California, Berkeley
This field study tested Fungisol® (thiabendazole, J.J. Mauget Co.) for controlling pitch canker (Fusarium subglutinans) on mature Monterey pines in Santa Cruz County, California. Injections were applied to infected trees, and branches were later inoculated to assess both preventive and therapeutic effects. While laboratory tests showed that thiabendazole inhibited the fungus in culture, field injections did not prevent new infections or eliminate existing ones. The study concluded that Fungisol failed to reach effective concentrations in diseased tissues, limiting its ability to control pitch canker under natural conditions.
Evaluation of Systemic Insecticide Treatments for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
Deborah G. McCullough, Nathan W. Siegert, David M. Smitley, Therese M. Poland, and S. Katovich — Michigan State University & USDA Forest Service (2015)
This research assessed the efficacy and persistence of several systemic insecticides, including Mauget's Imicide® (imidacloprid) and Abacide® (abamectin), for control of hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) infestations on eastern hemlock. Field trials across multiple infested stands measured adelgid density and tree health over several years following treatment. Both imidacloprid and abamectin microinjections provided long-lasting suppression of adelgid populations and visible canopy recovery. The study concluded that systemic trunk injection is a critical tool in long-term hemlock preservation programs, offering effective control with minimal environmental exposure.
ELISA Analysis of Imidacloprid in Wiliwili Tree for Control of Erythrina Gall Wasp
Ting Xu, Christopher M. Jacobsen, Il Kyu Cho, Arnold H. Hara, and Qing X. Li — University of Hawaii
This study developed a monoclonal antibody-based ELISA method to detect imidacloprid concentrations in Wiliwili tree leaves following trunk injections with different formulations, including Mauget's Imicide® (10% imidacloprid). The technique was compared to HPLC analysis, showing excellent correlation and recovery rates (r² = 0.98). Field results demonstrated that imidacloprid levels inversely correlated with erythrina gall wasp infestation severity, confirming its effectiveness for pest suppression. The ELISA method proved to be a reliable, efficient, and environmentally safe way to monitor systemic insecticide distribution in treated trees.
Imidacloprid Concentrations in Green Ash Following Treatments with Two Trunk-Injection Methods
Mark Harrell, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
This comparative study examined imidacloprid movement and concentration in green ash trees injected with either Imicide® (J.J. Mauget Co.) or Pointer™ (ArborSystems). Over a 90-day period, sap, leaf, and xylem samples were analyzed to determine systemic uptake. Results showed that both products delivered measurable imidacloprid to tree tissues, though Pointer produced slightly higher concentrations in leaves and upper xylem. The study concluded that Imicide performs comparably to alternative injection systems, effectively translocating insecticide to tissues targeted by borers such as the emerald ash borer.
Mauget Imicide® and Inject-A-Cide B® Are More Persistent Than Wedgle Pointer
Michigan State University, USDA Forest Service, and USDA APHIS
This two-year field study evaluated Mauget's Imicide® (imidacloprid) and Inject-A-Cide B® (Bidrin®) compared to ArborSystems' Pointer™ for emerald ash borer (EAB) control on green ash trees in Michigan. Both Mauget products demonstrated significantly greater reductions in adult emergence, larval density, and canopy dieback than Pointer, with Imicide-treated trees showing a 94–96% lower larval density than untreated controls. Canopy dieback increased by only 26% in Imicide-treated trees compared to 63% in untreated trees. The study concluded that Mauget microinjections provided longer-lasting and more consistent EAB protection than open-system injections.
ArborFos™ and Tebuject™ 16 Control During High Disease Pressure
Terry Tattar, Ph.D., and Arnold Farran
Conducted at the University of San Diego, this trial compared ArborFos™ (phosphite) and Tebuject™ 16 (tebuconazole) micro-infusions for managing severe anthracnose disease in sycamores. Both treatments significantly improved foliar health after one growing season, with ArborFos maintaining strong disease suppression into the second year from a single injection. Dual applications (spring and fall) provided nearly complete control. The study confirmed that Mauget fungicides deliver reliable multi-season anthracnose suppression, even under intense disease pressure.
Efficacy of Imidacloprid and Oxydemeton-Methyl on Red Gum Lerp Psyllid
Floyd Young, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona — Journal of Arboriculture (2002)
This 15-month field study evaluated Imicide® (10% imidacloprid), Injecticide® (50% oxydemeton-methyl), and their combination for control of red gum lerp psyllid (RGLP) on heavily infested eucalyptus. Imidacloprid alone provided the longest residual control—up to eight months, significantly reducing psyllid nymph populations by more than 70% compared to untreated trees. Oxydemeton-methyl was effective only for the first two months, and combination treatments yielded intermediate results. The study concluded that micro-injected imidacloprid offers superior and longer-term suppression of RGLP infestations.
Dinotefuran and Imidacloprid Residues in Apple Flower Parts
Roberta Spitko, Ph.D., and Rafael Vega, D.P.M. — Real Applied Science LLC & New England Fruit Consultants (2019)
This residue analysis investigated whether microinjected neonicotinoids (Dinocide® and Imicide®) persist in apple flowers the season following application. McIntosh apple trees injected post-bloom were sampled 11 months later, during bloom the next spring. No detectable residues of either dinotefuran or imidacloprid were found in pollen, anthers, or filaments (detection limit 0.02 ppm). The study concluded that microinjection does not leave measurable neonicotinoid residues in reproductive tissues, demonstrating its pollinator-safe application profile.
Potential Side Effects of Systemic Insecticides Used to Control EAB: FAQs
Jeffrey Hahn (University of Minnesota), Daniel A. Herms (Ohio State University), and Deborah G. McCullough (Michigan State University)
This publication addresses common concerns regarding systemic insecticides—including imidacloprid (Imicide®), dinotefuran (Dinocide®), and emamectin benzoate (Abacide® 2)—used to control emerald ash borer (EAB). The authors summarize research showing that trunk injections pose minimal environmental risk, since the insecticide is contained within the tree and does not drift or leach. Studies cited indicate negligible effects on birds, mammals, and aquatic organisms when products are used as directed. The FAQ also confirms that ash trees are not pollinator-attractive, minimizing bee exposure, and that proper injection techniques cause little tree injury while preventing widespread EAB mortality.
Petiole Injection of Coconut Palm: Preventing Trunk Injury During Antibiotic Treatment
Randolph E. McCoy, IFAS Agricultural Research Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL
This study tested Mauget-style petiole injections of oxytetracycline-HCl as an alternative to trunk injection for managing lethal yellowing disease in coconut palms. Traditional trunk injections leave permanent holes that can bleed sap and invite infection; by contrast, petiole injections deliver the antibiotic effectively without lasting injury, as the injected fronds naturally abscise. Field results showed therapeutic remission in 50% of treated palms, equivalent to trunk-injected treatments, demonstrating that petiole injection is both effective and less damaging. This innovation improved palm treatment safety and helped pioneer microinjection systems for monocots.
Efficacy of Abamectin and Tebuconazole to Protect Lodgepole Pine from Mountain Pine Beetle
Christopher J. Fettig, Donald M. Grosman, and A. Steven Munson — Journal of Entomological Science (2013)
This USDA Forest Service study evaluated Abacide® 2 (abamectin) and Tebuject® 16 (tebuconazole) trunk injections for protection of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) from mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) and associated blue stain fungi. Both treatments provided complete protection for one field season, with 0% beetle-caused mortality compared to 60% in untreated controls. Abamectin + Tebuject reduced internal blue stain significantly, suggesting added antifungal benefit. This was the first confirmed success of an injected systemic insecticide protecting lodgepole pine from bark beetle mortality, supporting Mauget formulations as a viable alternative to broadcast sprays.
Resin Response Test for Pines
Terry A. Tattar, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, Amherst
This research developed a diagnostic method to measure resin flow in pines, a key factor affecting trunk-injection success. Pines with heavy resin pressure often resist uptake of injected solutions, making timing crucial for treatment success. The Resin Response Test involves drilling a small hole and inserting a capillary tube to measure resin fill time, which predicts injection feasibility. Trees filling the tube within 10 minutes are unsuitable for injection, while those exceeding 30 minutes indicate low resin pressure and good uptake conditions. This simple field test became a standard Mauget diagnostic for determining optimal injection windows.
Some Internal Effects of Mauget Tree Injections
Alex L. Shigo, Walter E. Money, and Dale I. Dodds — Journal of Arboriculture, 1977
This foundational study examined the internal effects of Mauget tree injection wounds on red maple, white oak, and shagbark hickory one and two years after treatment. Control injections (water only) caused negligible discoloration or cambial dieback, while injections containing Fungisol or Stemix produced small columns of discolored wood but minimal tissue injury. In contrast, insecticides like Bidrin and Meta-Systox-R caused greater cambial dieback and longer discoloration columns. Importantly, all trees exhibited strong compartmentalization, meaning the injuries were sealed off by new wood and did not spread internally. The study concluded that properly applied Mauget injections cause limited, localized wounding, and that tree health, timing, and operator skill play key roles in minimizing tissue damage.
Injected Treatments for Management of Madrone Canker
Marianne Elliott and Robert L. Edmonds — Arboriculture & Urban Forestry, 2008
Researchers tested injectable fungicides and plant activators on Pacific madrone trees infected with Fusicoccum arbuti, the fungus responsible for madrone canker. Among the products evaluated—Tebuject®, Fungisol®, Arbotect®, Alamo®, BioSerum™, Cambistat, and Phyton—the most effective were Arbotect® (thiabendazole) and BioSerum™ (phosphorous acid), which reduced canker area by over 50% and enhanced callus formation. The results suggest these treatments work primarily by stimulating natural plant defenses rather than direct fungicidal activity. The authors recommend phosphorous acid injections, combined with cultural care to improve vigor, as an effective preventive or early-stage treatment for valuable madrone trees.
Key Points
65+ years of continuous research and development
University-backed scientific studies
Peer-reviewed and independently validated research
Environmental safety validated through extensive testing
Long-term efficacy studies with statistical analysis
Comparative studies showing superior performance
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