Unwanted weeds, undesirable vegetation, and other invasive species can be a nuisance. Not only that, they also tend to take away the nutrition that is needed for surrounding plant-life. The best and the most effective way to control invasive species is to use herbicides, which are weed killers that attack only specific targets. Although tree herbicide application is not as easy as it may seem, here are some common methods or application.
Foliar Spray
In this method, the herbicide you choose should be diluted with water and sprayed over the shrub or the leaves directly. The spraying can be done using a backpack spray unit, a spray gun or hose, or in case of large acreage, using a tractor and a spraying broom. This kind of tree herbicide application is ideal when the average height of the weeds or shrubs to be eliminated is less than 6m tall.
Soil Herbicide Application
The soil tree herbicide application technique is a cost-effective option when you have several acres to cover. This method involves in directly attacking a specific tree or shrubs’ roots to eliminate a high density of small shrubs. What must be kept in mind is that this method is subject to rain runoff, meaning rain can spread the herbicide to the surrounding water bodies and areas affecting the trees you want to nourish and polluting water bodies that act as main source of irrigation for your plantation.
Application to the Bark
Basal bark application treatment is ideal for treating specific trees that you do not want in the area. This method is most suitable for preventing re-growth, eliminating saplings and multiple-stemmed trees and shrubs. The method involves in mixing herbicide oil with water and applying it to the bark of the targeted trees. The method works well as long as the bark is not too big, which is why elimination of multi-stemmed shrubs is often done using this method.
Injecting Stems
Stem injection is yet another method of injecting the herbicide into the weeds through the stems and the sapwood tissues. This method is a quick way to deal with weeds, and the time taken for the herbicide to spread through the plant or stem depends on how quickly the weed takes to take in the herbicide and transport it through its system. The average time taken for the herbicide to act in this method is around 15 seconds.
Cut Stumps
This is a rather hectic method, as it involves in cutting off the weed at its base, leaving just 15cms and no less, of the bark from the ground. The stem or trunk can be cut using a chainsaw, an axe or a machete- the idea of this technique is to destroy the stump and the root system. Once the stem is cut, the herbicide liquid must be applied on the stump immediately, within 15 seconds, to ensure best results.