Vegetation Management in Longleaf Pine Systems
Pat Minogue, Ph.D., R.F.
Associate Professor of Silviculture
Use of Herbicides in Longleaf Management
Silviculture
Habitat Management
Fuels Management
Improve Aesthetics
Longleaf Alliance WebsiteLongleaf Alliance Website
Herbicides for Habitat Restoration?
Herbicides, like fire, provide a site disturbance that shifts plant species composition.
Many commonly used forestry herbicides shift vegetation to favor wildlife habitats or certain native plants because of differential plant tolerances.
Oust®, Velpar® for broomsedge release in longleaf pine
Photo: Pat Minogue
Lower Gould Field (Oust)
Concentration (lbs ai/ac)
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3
wir
eg
ras
s c
row
n a
rea
(in
ch
2)
-4
-2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
-N
+N
Lower Gould Field (Velpar)
Concentration (lbs ai/ac)
0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75
wir
eg
ras
s c
row
n a
rea
(in
ch
2)
-4
-2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
-N
+N
Lower Gould Field (Arsenal)
Concentration (lbs ai/ac)
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3
wir
eg
rass
cro
wn
are
a (
inch
2)
-4
-2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
-N
+N
ARSENALOUST
VELPAR
Preliminary results,Dr. Cheryl Macowiak,University of FL
Herbicides labeled for “establishment and maintenance of wildlife openings”Trade Name Common Name Controls Selective to
Arsenal® AC Imazapyr Brush, Grasses, Broadleaves, Vines
Legumes,Blackberry,Pines
Escort® XP Metsulfuron methyl
Broadleaves,Legumes, Vines
Grasses
Plateau Imazapic Broadleaves Legumes,Perennial grasses
Accord XRT II Glyphosate Sprayed foliage By placement
Many other herbicides are labeled for this use site
Silvicultural Herbicide UsesSite Preparation
Herbaceous Weed
Control After Planting
Promote Desired
Associated Vegetation
Arrest Successional
Change - Hardwoods
Wiregrass is promoted by Oust®, low Arsenal rates
Site Prep Herbicides- Longleaf Pine
CommonName
Trade Name(also generics)
Label ProductRate Per Acre
Glyphosate Accord® XRT IIAccord® XRT
4-8 quarts1.5-8 quarts
Triclopyr Garlon® 4 Ultra 4-6 quarts
*Hexazinone Velpar® LVelpar® DF
2-6 quarts1.3-4 lb
*Imazapyr Chopper® Gen2Arsenal® AC
32-64 oz24-40 oz
*Sulfometuron Oust® XP 2-8 oz
*Metsulfuron Escort® XP NOT LABELED
* Soil Active Residual Herbicides
Herbicide Site Preparation - LongleafSpring treatment with Velpar® (hexazinone)
• Ideal for sandy soils, oaks sensitive, favors grasses
• Longleaf pine is very tolerant to hexazinone
• Adjust rate by soil texture & organic matter (see label)
• Velpar DF 1.3-4 lb product/acre
• Velpar L 2-6 qts product/acre
• 1-3 lb active ingredient/acre
Solid Formulation Needed!!
Herbicide Site Preparation - LongleafBroadcast foliar sprays in June - October
➢ Conversion, dense hardwood?40 -48 oz Chopper® Gen 2+ 3 qts Accord® XRT II
➢ Save grass? Longleaf restoration?
Use less than 32 oz Chopper® Gen 2 or less than 16 oz Arsenal AC per acre
32 oz Chopper® + 0-1 qts Accord® XRT 32 oz Chopper® + 1-2 qts Garlon® 4 Ult.
➢ Waxy leaf species: Yaupon, Gallberry, Lyonia, Waxmyrtle?
32-40 oz Chopper® Gen 2plus 1-2 qts Garlon®4 Ultra
Herbaceous Weed Control Herbicides for Longleaf Pine
Common Name Trade Name* Product RatePer Acre
Hexazinone Velpar® LVelpar® DF
4-8 pints1.3-1.8 lb
Imazapyr Arsenal® AC 4-6 oz
Sulfometuron Oust® XP 2-8 oz
Sulfometuron (12%) + Hexazinone (63%)
Oustar® 10-19 oz
*Comparable generic products are also labeled for this use.
Herbaceous Weed ControlLongleaf Pine Apply mid-April to mid-May
Do not add surfactant
2 Oust® XP + 24 oz Velpar® L
10-12 oz Oustar®
Pasture Conversion
4 oz Arsenal® + 2 oz Oust® XP
applied mid-may
Bermuda, Torpedograss-
Site prep first!
Check for new roots
Longleaf Alliance Website
Selective “Cutting” of Individual Stems – Using Herbicides
“Remove” diseased trees, those of poor form
Provides dead wood for wildlife
Promote desired species for wildlife
Red + White Oaks
Persimmon
Backpack Foliar Sprays Best for targeted
applications on low brush, less than 4 feet tall
Less than 1,500 rootstocks per acre
Use low volumes, 10-20gallons spray per acre (GPA)
Common Herbicides:
Arsenal® AC, Chopper®
Garlon® 4, Garlon® 3A
Accord® XRT Proper Personal Protective Equipment
Basal Stem TreatmentSpray bark of small diameter stems, < 4”d
May be applied in dormant season
Apply from ground to 12-15 inches high
Use with “basal oil” or oil emulsion carrier
Common Herbicides
Garlon® 4 Ultra No residual effect
Chopper® Gen II Residual soil activity
Hack & Squirt (Cut Stem)• Used on taller vegetation, greater than 4” diameter• Make cuts at a downward angle around the tree• See labels regarding solution concentration, spacing between “hacks”.
• Generally apply 1 ml/hack, about the same as 1 pull on a squirt bottle.
• Common Herbicides:
•Arsenal® AC
•Garlon® 3A
•Weedar® 64 (2,4-D)
Cut Stump•Best for a few targeted trees
•Spray just the cambium
•Best on freshly cut stumps
•Treat all the stumps!
• Common Herbicides
•Chopper®, Stalker®
•Garlon® 4 Ultra (ester),
Garlon® 3A (amine)
•Pathfinder® II (RTU)
•Accord® XRT II
Soil Basal and Spot TreatmentsSpring applications Undiluted Velpar® L
Exact delivery handgun application to the base of woody vegetation
For trees use 2-4 ml product per inch of stem diameter at breast height.
For brush apply 2-4 ml product per 3 feet canopy width.
Sources of Additional Information
Forest Vegetation Management Website
Silviculture and Wildlife Management
Patrick J. Minogue, Ph.D., R.F.Associate Professor of SilvicultureNorth Florida Research and Education CenterQuincy, FL 32303 [email protected]