by Wayne Flanary, regional agronomist
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Many times growers would like to control a particular tree that exists in a timber stand, fence row, CRP land and numerous other places. One particular method is the use of herbicides applied directly to spaced cuts in the tree. Fall is a good time to use this technique as the tree is preparing for winter and control will be more effective.
This method involves applying an herbicide into the undesirable tree through spaced cuts made around the trunk of the tree with an ax or hatchet. The cuts are a series of downward angled cuts around the tree. Then a small amount of herbicide is placed in each cut.
Generally, cuts are approximately two-inches long. They are spaced one to three inches apart depending on tree species and specific herbicide used. Herbicides can be applied by using a pint or quart spray bottle. Spray the cut allowing the herbicide to run into the cut.
The amount of herbicide to use is specified on the herbicide label. Generally it is a very small amount, like one to two milliliters.
Some trees are harder to control than others. Dogwood and hickories are generally harder to control but always check the label for rates and susceptibility of species to a particular herbicide. Girdling and frilling are other methods of killing standing trees that may be done with or without an herbicide. Girdling involves cutting a groove or notch into the trunk of a tree to interrupt the flow of sap between the roots and crown of the tree.
The groove must completely encircle the trunk and should penetrate into the wood to a depth of at least 1/2 inch on small trees, and 1 to 1-1/2 inches on larger trees. Girdling can be done with an ax, hatchet, or chain saw.
When done with an ax or hatchet, the girdle is made by striking from above and below along a line around the trunk so that a notch of wood and bark is removed. The width of the notch varies with the size of the tree. Effective girdles may be as narrow as one or two inches on small-diameter trees, and as wide as six or eight inches on very large-diameter trees. When a chain saw is used to girdle, two horizontal cuts between two and four vertical inches apart are usually made completely around the tree when no herbicide is used and one horizontal cut is made completely around the tree when herbicide is used.
For more information, contact Wayne Flanary at 660-446-3724 or Heather Benedict at 660-425-6434, Regional Agronomists, University of Missouri Extension.