JM01%SWTEXAS@PUCC.PRINCETON.EDU (12/11/90)
> > Contacted the Forestry Commission in the UK about my gorse. > They said that I should spray with TRICLOPYR which is not harmeful to > other plant life or to wildlife. The implication is that the herbicide > is specific to gorse or to juniper. Surely this is incorrect? > > ------------------------------------------------------------------- > Arnold Chamove > Massey University Psychology > Palmerston North, New Zealand I used GRAZON ET herbicide, manufactured by Dow Chemical, for the control of mesquite (Prosopis gladulosa var. gladulosa) in South Texas during my graduate work. GRAZON ET contains Triclopyr--I believe that ET stands for "ester Triclopyr", not extraterrestrial (-; Several studies that I reviewed found the effectiveness of Triclopyr to be dependent on foliar coverage. Meyer (no relation) and Bovey (1985) found that a mortality rate of 0-55% was acheived with mesquite after 3 years. I think studies have also found Triclopyr to be more effective in certain seasons. I can't remember if early or late spring is better. I don't believe the Triclopyr has any soil activity--that is, it will only effect plants when applied to foliage. And, it won't be absorbed by roots of other plants in the area. However, the spray can be carried by wind or temperature inversions, and can be deposited on other plants, where it will _definitely_ cause damage. Dow Chemical donated the herbicide to me for research purposes, and specifically warned me to avoid applying it near crops in the area. The label indicates that it is effective against a number of given plant species. I think GRAZON ET was developed primarily for pasture improvement--so, it shouldn't harm grasses. However, if I remember correctly, it will destroy some of the broadleaf plants. To reduce the risk of herbicide drift, I used a drift control and deposition agent called "Orthotrol". This helps promote even applications, and reduces drift considerably. Be careful with the herbicide. It isn't the most toxic of herbicides, but can be absorbed through the skin. I accidently spilled a drop of concentrate on my finger--it disappeared immediately, and left my fingertip numb for a couple hours. Reference: Meyer, R.E. and R.W. Bovey (1985). Response of honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and understory vegetation to herbicides. Weed Science 33: 537-43.
JM01%SWTEXAS@PUCC.PRINCETON.EDU (12/12/90)
> Steven J. Gill writes: > > If my memory serves me right, gorse is a flowring plant, family > Leguminosae/Fabaceae, whereas juniper is a conifer, family Cupresaceae. Thanks for clearing that up. I'm sure juniper is incorrect. I was relying on Merriam-Webster's dictionary, obviously a very poor choice for plant taxonomy, which defined "gorse" as "juniper". Sorry about that, I should've know better. The plant description by Chamove indicated it couldn't be a juniper. Regrowth from stumps is a problem associated with hardwood trees, not conifers. ________________________________________________________________DDDDDDDDr Joseph M. Meyer Office of Institutional Research and Planning Southwest Texas State University San Marcos, Texas 78666 BITNET%"JM01@SWTEXAS" "Don't be humble; you're not that great." -- Golda Meir :@_______________________________________________________________________
forags@nature.berkeley.edu (12/13/90)
In article <9012111940.AA21245@genbank.bio.net> JM01%SWTEXAS@PUCC.PRINCETON.EDU writes: > >........ Regrowth from stumps is a problem associated with hardwood trees, >not conifers. > REALLY?? what about coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) ? It coppices very well. Al Stangenberger Dept. of Forestry & Resource Mgt. forags@violet.berkeley.edu 145 Mulford Hall - Univ. of Calif. uucp: ucbvax!ucbviolet!forags Berkeley, CA 94720 BITNET: FORAGS AT UCBVIOLE (415) 642-4424 FAX: (415) 643-5438