The control of woody weeds in forestry: the basis for a new approach

Abstract

The use of herbicides to control woody. perennial weeds in established forests has been found to be ineffective. This is largely due to the recommendation of applying weedkiller as a foliar spray. A consideration of plant physiology and anatomy reveals a great number of barriers encountered by any herbicide when it is sprayed on to a woody weed plant. These barriers produce wastages of herbicide owing to poor penetration into the plant and poor, incorrect translocation of the herbicide once inside the plant. The dangers and difficulties of using herbicide sprays are pointed out, practical field experiences encountered at Tate Vondo Plantation are recounted and the need to kill the roots of perennial weeds is stressed. Finally broad suggestions are made ending with a plea for research in weed control to change its direction from concentrating on foliar spray application methods to investigating the use of soil herbicides, stump treatments and methods of herbicide injection.