Herbicide Use: Information and Guidelines
Herbicides are used to treat weeds and grasses to allow seedlings to grow. The Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) provides information and guidelines on herbicide use.
The following herbicide information is available:
Residual Tree Program l Basal Spray l Cut Stump l Site Preparation l Conifer Release l Sod Control l Miscellaneous
Since 1979 the VDOF has offered private landowners the opportunity to aerially apply herbicides through competitive contracts with experienced helicopter spray applicators. Parcels as small as 10 acres can be sprayed.
Here are the items we provide to ensure a safe and successful aerial spraying:
Carefully map the parcel(s) to be sprayed, to include:
- Buffer zones as needed to protect streams, ponds, fields, buildings, and boundary lines from being sprayed;
- Location of a landing zone suitable for safe helicopter and crew operation.
Provide a herbicide prescription suitable for your conditions.
Contact all residents of homes within 500 feet of each parcel to be sprayed prior to the scheduled spray date.
- Inform residents of the purpose of the activity and the herbicides to be used;
- Identify any potential health concerns of these residents;
- Promote good community relations.
Be onsite with the spray contractor.
- To ensure the prescribed herbicides are correctly mixed, safely handled in compliance with legal requirements, and applied according to contract specifications;
- To coordinate movement of the contract crew, maintaining radio communication at all times with the airborne helicopter;
- Shut down operations as needed during weather conditions that would cause spray drift, or rain wash-off.
Aerially observe spray results in the spring following the year of application.
- Ground check your tract if results appear questionable;
- If more than five percent of the parcel was missed in the application, or if chemical activity is unacceptable upon observation of the chemical manufacturer, VDOF will take corrective action at no additional cost to you.
Need more information on specific herbicides and their effects?
- Environmental Safety of Forestry Herbicides
- Herbicide Use in Forest Management - PDF document by the Society of American Foresters (SAF).
- Short Rotation Forestry in Loblolly Pines
- Determination Of The No Observable Effect Level (NOEL) Of Four Commonly Used Forestry Herbicides On Tomatoes - this is a technical article detailing the results of a study.
VDOF Herbicide Usage Sheets
Department Of Forestry Herbicide Use Sheets
Residual Tree Control
Program Year 2004
| Herbicide | Application | Time of Year | Mixture | Method | Species Resistant | Approximate 2004 Chemical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathway | Injector or Axe Frill |
Anytime except early spring | Undiluted | Injector - 1 ml. undiluted in each wound with 2 to 3 inches between edges. Apply as low on stem as practical. Axe - complete frill. Do not apply within root zone of desirable trees unless such injury can be tolerated. | Beech, Holly, Maple, Dogwood | $28/gallon |
| Velpar L | Spot Gun | Anytime - Best Feb. thru June |
2-4 ml per inch DBH undiluted or 1:1 diluted with water and double rate | Spot material around base of tree. Do not use on poorly drained soils. No spots within 3 feet of desirable pine seedlings. | Yellow Poplar | $57/gallon |
| Velpar L | Injector or Axe Frill |
Summer | Undiluted | 1 ml. per 4" of circumference in injector wounds or axe frill | Yellow poplar | $57/gallon |
| Garlon 3A | Injector or Axe Frill |
Anytime except early spring | Undiluted or diluted 1:1 in water | Injector - 1/2 ml of material at each injector site. 2" - 3" between edges of wounds. 1 ml if diluted. Axe - complete frill. | Maple | $73/gallon |
| Arsenal | Injector or Axe Frill |
Anytime except during periods of heavy sap flow in spring | Diluted (6 oz. Arsenal in 1 gallon water) | Injector - 1 ml in each wound with no more than 1"interval between cut edges. Axe- complete frill. Do not apply within root zone of desirable trees unless such injury can be tolerated. | Locust | $470/gallon $135/quart |
Department Of Forestry Herbicide Use Sheets
Basal Spray
Program Year 2004
| Herbicide | Application | Time of Year | Mixture | Method | Species Resistant | Approximate 2004 Chemical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garlon 4 | Solo-type | Anytime - Best Feb. thru May |
25% in diesel fuel | Wet stem and root collar. Apply from 1 foot above ground down to and including root collar. Agitate sprayer frequently. | None - until bark thickens. Less effective over 3" stump diameter. | $92/gallon |
| Pathfinder II | Solo-type | Year round, except when snow or water prevents spraying to ground time | Ready-to-use (Petroleum distillate in the product) | Wet lower 12" - 15" of stem. Untreated trees can be affected by movement of the herbicide through root grafting with treated trees. | Stems over 6" thick. | $36/gallon |
Department Of Forestry Herbicide Use Sheets
Cut Stump Treatment
(For use immediately after felling)
Program Year 2004
| Herbicide | Application | Time of Year | Mixture | Method | Species Resistant | Approximate 2004 Chemical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garlon 3A | Solo-type | Year round | Undiluted | Wet cambial area of freshly cut stump. | None | $73/gallon |
| Garlon 4 | Solo-type with solid cone or flat fan nozzle | Year round | 25% in diesel fuel | Treat root collar, stump sides and cambial area of the cut surface. | None | $92/gallon |
| Accord Concentrate |
Solo-type | Anytime except during spring sap flow | Undiluted or 1:1 with water |
Wet cambial area of freshly cut stump. | None | $37/gallon |
| Pathway | Solo-type | Anytime except during spring sap flow | Undiluted | Wet cambial area of freshly cut stump. Do not apply within root zone of desirable trees unless such injury can be tolerated. | None | $28/gallon |
| Arsenal | Solo-type or Squirt bottle | Anytime except during spring sap flow | 6 oz. Arsenal per 1 gallon water | Wet cambial area of freshly cut stump. NOTE: injury may occur to non-target woody plants if they extend from the same root system, or their root systems are grafted to those of the treated tree. | Locust, redbud, elm | $470/gallon |
Department Of Forestry Herbicide Use Sheets
Site Preparation
Program Year 2004
| Herbicide | Application | Time of Year | Mixture | Method | Species Resistant | Approximate 2004 Chemical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Velpar ULW | Helicopter | April and May | 4.67 lb. Product/ac (decrease in sandy soils - increase in clay soils) | Wait 6 weeks and after there has been at least 1" of rain before burning. Avoid areas of poor drainage. | Yellow Poplar, Huckleberry | $79/acre |
| Arsenal AC + non-ionic surfactant | Helicopter | June to Oct. | 24 fl. oz. Arsenal AC+ 3.2 fl. oz. surfactant in 10 - 15 gal. Mix/ac | Wait 8 weeks and burn. Excellent brush control, but slow brownout. Treated tracts may be difficult to adequately burn. | Black Locust, Pine, Blackberry, Elm | $470/gallon or $88/acre |
| Chopper + Krenite S + surfactant | Helicopter or Skidder | July to Sept. | 20 fl. oz. Chopper + 6 qts. Krenite S + 1 qt. non-ionic surfactant in 15-25 gallon water/acre |
Application with Microfoil boom1 using .028" AccuFlow nozzles or Thru-Valve2 boom using .030" wedge nozzles. Use for pine control where prescribed burning is not feasible. | $104/acre | |
| Chopper + Accord SP + Methylated Seed Oil (MSO) |
Helicopter or Skidder | May and June | 48 fl. oz. Chopper + 1 qt. Accord SP + 5 qts. Methylated Seed Oil 5 to 25 GPA |
Helicopter or skidder. Follow labeled rates. Early site prep. Burn after six weeks. | Locust, Virginia Pine | $98/acre |
| OneStep + Accord | Helicopter | June and July | 1 gal. OneStep + 1 qt. Accord in 10 GPA |
Application with Microfoil boom using .028" radial nozzles or Thru Valve boom using .030" wedge nozzles. Prescribe burn 6 weeks or more after spray. | Price Not Available |
1 Trademark of Rhone Poulenc Ag. Company
2 Trademark of Waldrum Specialities
Department Of Forestry Herbicide Use Sheets
Conifer Release
Program Year 2004
| Herbicide | Application | Time of Year | Mixture | Method | Species Resistant | Approximate 2004 Chemical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accord Concentrate plus Entry II | Solo-type sprayer | August to September | 1% Accord Concentrate in water + 0.5% Entry II | Wet foliage (but not to point of runoff) of each sprout clump or stem. Protect conifer from contact--limit this method to stems < 6' tall. Sprayer must be stainless steel or plastic. | Black Gum, Holly, Hickory, Maple | $37/gal - Accord Concentrate $17/gal - Entry II |
| Arsenal AC + non-ionic surfactant | Helicopter | August and September | 12 fl. oz. + 1.6 fl.oz. non-ionic surfactant in water - 5 GPA | Aerial application with Microfoil boom 1 or Thru-Valve boom2 specified in DOF statewide contract. | Black Locust, Hickory Elm, Dogwood, Redbud |
$44/acre |
| Arsenal AC + non-ionic surfactant | Solo-type with solid cone nozzle | Growing season until Sept. 15 | 0.5% Arsenal in water + ¼% non-ionic surfactant | Spray foliage; low brush only; keep spray off planted pine. Add colorant (Bullseye) to note what has been sprayed. | Black Locust, Hickory Elm, Dogwood, Redbud |
$470/gallon - AC $14-$19/gallon non-ionic surfactant |
| Accord Concentrate+ Arsenal AC + Entry II | Helicopter | August and September | 24 oz. Accord + 8 fl. Oz. Arsenal + 10 oz. Entry II in water - 5 GPA |
Aerial application with Microfoil boom1 or Thru-Valve boom 2 as specified in DOF contract. | Hickory, Elm, Cherry | $35/acre |
| Arsenal + Escort + non-ionic surfactant | Helicopter or Ground | August and September | 8 fl. oz. Arsenal + 1 oz. Escort + 4 fl. oz. non-ionic surfactant in water 10 GPA |
Aerial application with Microfoil boom1 or Thru-Valve boom2 as specified in DOF contract. | None | $50/acre |
| Arsenal + Oust Extra + non-ionic surfactant | Helicopter | August and September | 8 oz. Arsenal + 4 oz. Oust Extra + 4 oz. Non-ionic surfactant in water-5GPA |
Aerial application with Microfoil boom or Thru Valve boom | None | $67/acre |
1 Trademark of Rhone Poulenc Ag. Company
2 Trademark of Waldrum Specialities
Department Of Forestry Herbicide Use Sheets
Herbaceous Weed & Sod
Program Year 2004
| Herbicide | Application | Time of Year | Mixture | Method | Species Resistant | Approximate 2004 Chemical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accord Concentrate + Entry II | Solo-type | May thru September | 1 1/4% mix with water plus 0.5% Entry II | Treat fall before planting or shield pine. Wet foliage lightly around shielded trees. New growth on grass must be established if applied in spring. | None | $37/gallon-Accord Concentrate $17/gallon-Entry II |
| Oust | Herbicide Tree Planter or solo-type | Feb., March, April (can apply over dormant hardwoods) | 2-4 oz. in 50 gallons water per acre-Loblolly; 1-1 1/2 oz. per ac. - W.Pine |
Spray 5-foot bands along rows of pines as planting is being done. Be sure spray swaths meet at seedling row. (50 gallons will treat 2½ acres if rows are 10' apart). Solo-type: wet circular area around each conifer approximately 2-foot radius. | Broomsedge, wire grass. | $172/pound |
| Accord Concentrate + Oust + Entry II | Garden Sprayer or solo-type | May and June | 16 fl. oz. Accord Concentrate + 2 oz. Oust + 3 fl. oz. Entry II in 20-25 gals. of water/ac. |
Spray over newly planted loblolly, but new growth on grass must have begun. | None | $27/acre |
| Arsenal AC + Oust | Solo-type or Broadcast | April/May | 4 fl. oz. Arsenal AC + 2 oz. Oust in 20-50 gallons water/ac. |
Band or Broadcast | None | $44/acre |
| Oustar | Helicopter | May andJune | 12 oz. .Oustar in 5 GPA | Application with Microfoil boom using .028" Accuflow nozzles or Thru-Valve boom using .030" wedge nozzles. | None | $33/acre |
Department Of Forestry Herbicide Use Sheets
Miscellaneous (Kudzu, Multiflora Rose, Ailanthus, Aspen, Virginia Pine, Blackberry)
Program Year 2004
| Herbicide | Application | Time of Year | Mixture | Method | Species Resistant | Approximate 2004 Chemical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tordon 101 (Restricted) | Solo-Type Applicator | May thru October (Best in spring) |
1 gallon per acre in adequate water for coverage | Treat foliage with Tordon 101 mixture. For Kudzu allow 4-6 weeks for chemical to translocate. Prescribe burn late summer and for next several years treat reoccurring Kudzu sprouts. Be sure to treat and look for Kudzu sprouts around edge of treated site. Do not apply on sites adjacent to agricultural or horticultural crops. | Ailanthus Kudzu Aspen |
$92/gallon |
| Escort | Aerial or Ground | June thru August | 1 oz/ac in 15-300 gal. mix/ac. 3-4 oz/ac in 15-300 gal mix/ac |
Foliar spray - thorough coverage important | Multiflora Rose Kudzu |
$21/ounce |
| Krenite S | Aerial or Ground | July/Sept. | Air: 2 gal. for 15 gpa mix; Ground: 2 gal. for 100 gpa mix; Add 1 qt. nonionic surfactant/100 gal. Mix. |
Thorough foliage spray. | Ailanthus Multiflora Rose Aspen |
$47/gallon |
| Garlon 4 | Solo-type Sprayer w/spot gun | Anytime | 10% Garlon 4 20% Cide Kick II 70% Diesel fuel |
Spot near base of each stem. Effective on trees up to 6' tall. | Va. Pine | $92/gallon - Garlon 4 $19/gallon - Cide Kick II |
| Derringer F | Ground | Summer | 2 ½ % Derringer in water, or 5 pints in 25 gpa water | Foliar spray - thorough coverage important | Pine | $38/gallon |
Last modified 2007-07-12