Discover how herbicide treatments can be effective, even in the coldest months.
Change of Seasons, Change of Mindset
Leaves are falling, temperatures are starting to drop across the country, and many vegetation managers are already preparing for spring by winterizing their spray equipment. However, with the turn of the season comes additional opportunity to control undesirable vegetation and, with a few small changes in technique and mindset, vegetation managers can extend their treatment window, get a jump-start on next year, and continue to deliver results.
Fall Management Programs
Selective fall herbicide applications are an excellent way for vegetation managers to control winter annual weeds. Utilizing pre- and post-emergent herbicides will often reduce the number of early-germinating summer annual species, allowing for desirable grasses and forbs to thrive upon spring green-up. When total vegetation management is desired, lower temperatures will allow the herbicide(s) to overwinter, preventing spring growth of unwanted plants. This is especially effective in the northern and western regions of the U.S. As always, choosing the right herbicide is the most important aspect to ensure control of targeted vegetation. For bare-ground management programs, long-lasting, non-selective herbicides, like Alligare's Ballast, offer extended control of a wide range of species.
No Leaves, No Problem
The change of seasons provides an excellent opportunity to control woody species like small trees and brush. Woody plants are susceptible to herbicides year-round when proper application techniques are used - even deciduous species that have entered a state of dormancy. Vegetation managers have options when it comes to controlling dormant trees and brush. When making a decision on what technique should be used, the size and density of the target species should be considered, as well as surrounding desirable vegetation and infrastructure.
BASAL BARK APPLICATIONS
Basal bark applications are ideal for plants up to six inches in diameter and when there are fewer than 500 targeted stems per acre. This method includes mixing herbicide(s) with oil to carry the product through the bark, into the vascular tissue, and ultimately into the root system of the plant. To maximize efficacy, the solution must be sprayed onto the lower 12 - 15 inches of the stem/trunk down to the soil line, including all exposed flare roots. For multi-stemmed species, all stems should be treated. This method allows the applicator to selectively treat individual plants, reducing potential injury to neighboring vegetation. These applications are extremely useful in sensitive environments and in areas where the "brown-out" associated with traditional foliar applications may be deemed unacceptable. When performing basal bark applications, Alligare recommends mixing Triclopyr 4 at 25 percent in oil using a backpack sprayer or handheld, pressurized spray bottle as the preferred delivery system for the herbicide solution.
DORMANT STEM APPLICATIONS
Dormant stem treatments can be used to control susceptible woody plants and vines with stems less than two inches in diameter. Similar to basal bark applications, the spray solution is absorbed through the stems and branches of the target species and then translocated to the root system. This application method works best in dense areas and when trees and brush are less than 10 feet tall. Plant stems can be treated with both low-volume or broadcast applications. In both instances, mixing triclopyr ester with crop oil concentrate or methylated seed oil in water has been proven to be an effective solution. Consider adding Alligare’s Whetstone to the mix to expand the spectrum of species controlled. Dormant stem applications provide vegetation managers an excellent tool to expand the treatment window and is a preferred method of application by many departments of transportation due to the reduced "brown-out" effect along roadsides.
CUT-STUMP-TREATMENTS
Cut-stump treatments involve cutting down a targeted plant and then applying a herbicide solution directly to the stump surface. This is an effective way to prevent regrowth of woody species and large vines. For multi-stemmed species, all stems should be cut and treated. As a best practice, cut as close to the ground as possible, leaving a one to two-inch stump. For stumps and stems smaller than six inches in diameter, the entire cut surface should be treated. For larger species, the most critical area of the stump to treat is the cambium, which is the layer just inside the bark. If the herbicide is being applied immediately after cutting, the most common solutions involve mixing glyphosate or Triclopyr 3 at a 50 percent rate in water. For older cuts, a 25 percent solution of triclopyr 4 ester in basal oil can be used; however, the entire root collar (bark area) and any exposed roots must also be treated. Cut-stump treatments are ideal in urban settings and in right-of-way environments where dead plant material may pose a safety risk.
Overgrown and undesirable vegetation can pose a risk to infrastructure and industrial facilities and prove to be hazardous when left untreated in transportation and energy corridors. The threats that these unwanted plants pose do not go away when the calendar changes. With a few modifications in approach, vegetation managers can continue fighting these problematic species, even in the coldest months.
