What can I spray in the woods to control unwanted growth but not harm trees?

[jyoutz]

There are two general types of herbicides: foliar active and soil active. Foliar active will only kill the plant if sprayed on green actively growing leaves. It will not go into the soil and affect non-target plants. Soil active herbicides are also sprayed on the leaves, but will also translocate into the roots and the soil, potentially affecting trees and other non-target plants. Glyphosate (Roundup) is a foliar active chemical; tordon and hexazanone are soil active chemicals. Read the labels to determine the activity of herbicides to determine possible non-target effects.

 

[gstrom99]

Hunting is my ultimate use. But I am not wanting to spray and kill off everything around the woods. I have a lot of trails going all over the woods and just want to keep the trail sides knocked back enough to navigate without being bombarded with everything. The misses likes to walk the trails and doesn't want all of that junk on her. Thanks for the info, I will look into that!

The briars are good for wildlife, we just carried a clipper to cut them (and any other intrusives) back when mowing our trails. I always wanted to do a controlled burn which would clear the ground well, but never did.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

I use glysophate. Even if sprayed on most tree trunks it won't damage them. Its when you spray the green/foliage it systemically draws back into the tree and down to the roots. Even then may not kill it first few times.

I spray wild blackberries every year (to keep them from cross pollinating with my upick cash crop) and they always come back with vigor.

Thought about the goat idea, but they are so dang aggravating to keep in a fenced area.

 

[BigGG]

I use glysophate. Even if sprayed on most tree trunks it won't damage them. Its when you spray the green/foliage it systemically draws back into the tree and down to the roots. Even then may not kill it first few times.

I spray wild blackberries every year (to keep them from cross pollinating with my upick cash crop) and they always come back with vigor.

Thought about the goat idea, but they are so dang aggravating to keep in a fenced area.

I've found 2-4d+triclopyr CrossBow more effective against broad leaf stuff than glyphosate. Surfactant also helps.

 

[jyoutz]

I've found 2-4d+triclopyr CrossBow more effective against broad leaf stuff than glyphosate. Surfactant also helps.

True it’s more effective at killing target plants. 2-4-D is also soil active, so there’s risk of killing non-target trees.

 

[bcs001]

I've found 2-4d+triclopyr CrossBow more effective against broad leaf stuff than glyphosate. Surfactant also helps.

True it’s more effective at killing target plants. 2-4-D is also soil active, so there’s risk of killing non-target trees.

Glyphosate treats less woody plants which is why you can combine it (see my earlier post) with a brush killer like 2-4-D or triclophr and have an effective spray mixture for "complete kill" foliar application. I prefer the Triclophr (in Remedy Ultra) for heavier brush because it is sold mostly to farmers as a pasture reclamation chemical where it does not affect the grasses and livestock can then graze immediately after application.

 

[Diwali]

I can only reiterate what some have said; use a brush cutter or flail mower. Bramble etc. will give up if they cannot synthesise but it takes 2 - 3 years in my experience to eradicate them completely. I would avoid chemicals due to the potential damage to wildlife.
Another suggestion was goats and they will do a great job given time. Here in the UK there are companies that will hire out a herd of goats to clear brush. I don't know if they have that in the US but it's an environmentally friendly idea.

 

[LHF2019]

True it’s more effective at killing target plants. 2-4-D is also soil active, so there’s risk of killing non-target trees.

While yes there is a plant back restriction, I regularly use 2,4D, Mixes with 2,4d at high rates to bring my pastures in order for years. As long as one doesn't get it on the leaves the trees there is no effect to them. When it greens up I can provide pictures of the areas if anybody have any questions.

 

[JeepHead]

Where is the best place to purchase it in concentration? I need to mix up many gallons of this stuff.

 

[jyoutz]

Where is the best place to purchase it in concentration? I need to mix up many gallons of this stuff.

An ag chemical dealer. And I’ve seen it in bulk also at TSC.