Laserfiche WebLink
<br />olive from the understory of cottonwood forest. Small stems are shredded to the ground <br />surface; larger (greater than 6 inches diameter) trees may be topped and then treated with <br />herbicides (see "cut-stump" method below). Shredded debris is often left in place, but may be <br />raked and disposed if there are concerns such as brush-fires. Soil and groundcover are <br />minimally disturbed compared to the root plowing method. Because salt cedar rootstocks are <br />left intact, follow-up treatment with hand-sprayed herbicide would likely be required to control <br />resprouting. No cost estimates for salt cedar removal are available at this time. <br /> <br />Cut-stump method. Large scattered trees, or small patches and strips, may be removed <br />through this manuallherbicidal treatment combination. Trees (or stumps, if trees were <br />previously topped) are cut with a chainsaw near the ground surface. Within a few minutes after <br />cutting, herbicide is hand-sprayed on the exposed cut to be drawn into and kill the roots. <br />Herbicides used successfully include Arsenal, Pathfmder, and Garlon 3A or 4. Because these <br />herbicides are short-lived and are applied only to the stumps, this method of salt cedar removal <br />is generally safe along stream banks. This technique is labor-intensive, usually requiring a 3- <br />person crew: a chainsaw operator, a person to clear debris from the stump, and an herbicide <br />applicator. Costs have ranged from $250 to $1,000 per acre depending on stem density. <br /> <br />Backpack sprayer application. Young, shrubby salt cedar stands and resprouts <br />following other removal methods may be treated with herbicide applied from a backpack <br />sprayer. Foliar applications of Arsenal or Chopper have been successfully used. Cost is <br />estimated to range from $lOO to $300 per acre. <br /> <br />Ground-based herbicide application. Low-pressure, trailer-mounted sprayers have <br />been used to apply herbicide (usually Arsenal or Rodeo) to low-density salt cedar stands less <br />than 20 feet tall. Thorough application of herbicide to bark areas of all branches is especially <br />critical for this method to be successful. Non-target species (i. e., species other than salt cedar) <br />within treated stands also will be killed by spraying. Costs have been stated as $1 to $3 per <br />tree, indicating the limited applicability of this method for large-scale removal. <br /> <br />Aerial Herbicide Application. Aerial application of herbicide from either helicopter or <br />fixed-wing aircraft is best suited for treating large, monotypic stands of salt cedar distant from <br />water channels. Aerial spraying will kill non-target plant species within the treatment area. <br />Special attention and, perhaps, equipment, are required to minimize drift of herbicide into <br />adjacent areas. Arsenal and Rodeo (Roundup) have been used in successful aerial applications. <br />Treated stands of salt cedar must remain undisturbed for 18 to 30 months to allow the herbicide <br />to be effectively absorbed into root tissues. Aerial application costs range from $75 to $225 <br />per acre. Physical removal and disposal of dead stems may require an additional $400 to $600 <br />per acre. Along the Arkansas River, the proximity of salt cedar stands to the river charmel, <br />residences, and agricultural fields limits the opportunities for aerial spraying. <br /> <br />43 <br />