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2 <br />Tamarisk and Russian Olives: <br />Mechanical Control: Mechanical removal is the use of heavy equipment to physically <br />remove the plant. This is accomplished in one of two ways -root crown removal or <br />mulching. Brush hogging, and burning lead to less successful control due to the vigorous <br />regrowth that occurs. However, cutting combined with herbicide treatment can be very <br />effective at controlling tamarisk. <br />Cutting down the shrub or tree and painting the stump surface immediately afterward <br />with an herbicide (cut stump treatment such as Garlon 4, or equal) is the most effective <br />control method. This herbicide must be applied per manufacturers recommendations, but <br />most require application within 10-15 minutes of cutting to prevent excessive resprouting <br />from the stump. All branches and trunk pieces must be removed from the site to prevent <br />sprouting. Mulching of the branches and trunks is an acceptable alternative to removal. <br />The cut stump method is best done in the fall or winter after the tamarisk Leaves have <br />fallen. Rough barked plants should receive the cut stump treatment. Follow up treatment <br />of spouts will be necessary for 2 - 4 years to be successful. <br />Biological Control_ Biological control is the use of specific organisms to control an <br />undesuable organism. For tamarisk, two-bio-control agents have been identified -goats <br />and a Chinese leaf beetle. Goats will feed on tamarisk shrubs if fencing is provided to <br />limit other food sources. The Chinese leaf beetle will be released by the USDA in the <br />future, but is not available to the general public at this time. <br />Chemieal control: The sensible use ofthe proper herbicides at the optimum time an be <br />the most effective method ofcontrol for very persistent weeds. Not all herbicides are <br />equally effective on all weeds nor can every herbicide be used in every situation. A <br />licensed professional should perform application of herbicides. <br />The basal 12-18 inches of the trunks of small plants (usually around 1" in diameter) with <br />smooth bark can be sprayed with herbicide (basal bark treatment). For best results, apply <br />the basal treatment when plants do not have leaves. Foliar sprays (herbicide treatment) <br />during the growing season must cover the entire Leaf surface to be effective. Tamarisk <br />infestations in close proximity to water or wildlife habitat should be sprayed with an <br />aquatic friendly herbicide that is identified by the manufacturer as being non-toxic to <br />aquatic and wildlife. This method is most effective on small diameter trees. Sprayed trees <br />must be left standing 3-4 years to allow the herbicide to wmpletely kill the tree. Follow <br />up spraying may be necessar-y 1 ~ years a°er treatment. <br />Cc~NTINaJING ~i'EEll 1ViANAG1/ti~IENT <br />GJ Pipe wil_1 monitor their gravel pits to identify infestations ofnoxious weeds on an <br />annual Lasts at a i;iinimuni. The results of these surveys will aid ut detcrniining tl"ic <br />