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Global Invasive Species Team listserve digest #030
Tue, 27 Apr 1999 15:53:31 -0700 (PDT)
--CONTENTS--
1. Weed videos
2. New tools in the toolshed
3. Weed spraying conversions
4. Insurance required for certain herbicide uses
5. Microstegium vimineum control
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1. Weed videos
From: Scott Moats (smoats(at)acsnet.com)
Keith Fletcher with the iowa field office has produced a couple of
different videos, and has made one on leafy spurge. He can be contacted
at (515) 244-5044. we have used it for local landowners to urge them to
create a weed management program on their properties.
(John Randall and I have both seen Keith's video on Leafy Spurge and gave
it two thumbs up---Barry)
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2. New tools in the toolshed
From: Barry Rice (bamrice(at)ucdavis.edu)
I've posted a new page in the "Tools of the Trade" section of our
Weeds-on-the-Web site. Learn about the lowly linoleum knife. This is a
great weapon against cattails. I can also report that I have used the Root
Talon, which was donated to our program by the manufacturer. It is a good,
light tool effective against shallow-rooted foes. More is on the web site.
http://tncinvasives.ucdavis.edu/tools.html
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3. Weed spraying conversions
From: Chris Helzer (chelzer/tncplatte(at)hamilton.net)
I would like to know about how to convert qts/acre to mixing amounts for
spot spraying weeds. I just got a mailing from a county weed board here in
Nebraska with a conversion factor and wanted to let you know about it and
see what you folks thought.
When using hand sprayers, they say to add 1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 oz.) of
herbicide per gallon of water for a 1 qt/acre recommended rate. (For a 2
qt/acre recommendation you'd add 3 tablespoons per acre, etc.)
Does this sound right to you weed expert professionals?
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4. Insurance required for certain herbicide uses
From: John Randall (jarandall(at)ucdavis.edu)
All TNC programs that apply herbicides on property that they manage but
which TNC does not own must provide Advance Notice of planned applications
to our Insurance Agent for each 'site' treated to obtain pollution
insurance coverage. An entire preserve or bioreserve may be defined as a
'Site'. For example the 37,500 acre Dye Creek Preserve qualifies as a
single site. This coverage protects TNC against potentially large claims
from herbicide spills or other accidental releases on properties we do not
own. There is NO fee for this coverage (a $300 fee for each site was
eliminated in 1998). Advance Notice must be given at least once per year.
A report of actual herbicide use must also be submitted each year. You
may obtain forms for providing advance notice and actual herbicide use
from the TNC Wildland Weed Program by contacting John Randall
<jarandall(at)ucdavis.edu> or Barry Rice <bamrice(at)ucdavis.edu>.
Several programs found that their stewards could not obtain the
state-issued certificates or licenses necessary to use herbicides until
they obtained this insurance coverage. The deductible on our coverage is
$250,000 and some states need assurance that your program will be able to
pay damages below this amount. For example Washington state requires
assurance that applicators have coverage above $5,000. The TNC program
there was able to provide this with a Surety Bond arranged by our
insurance agent. If you have questions about this insurance, the
deductible or surety bonds contact:
*1.) our Insurance Agent, John Muha, phone 703 397 0977, FAX 703 397 0995,
e-mail: jrmuha(at)aol.com OR;
*2.) TNC attorney Katherine White, phone 703 841 5335, e-mail
kwhite(at)tnc.org.
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5. Microstegium vimineum control
From: John Randall (jarandall(at)ucdavis.edu)
Allen Houston of Ames Plantation in Tennessee reports the following
preliminary findings on Microstegium vimineum (Japanese stiltgrass)
control: Microstegium first infested the moist ditchbanks and woodland
edges on the Plantation but spread into fields, logging roads and
ornamental settings. Where left uncontrolled, Microstegium completely
enveloped the native sedgegrass and legumes, degrading nesting habitat for
quail and other wildlife. They found no evidence that any vertebrates
graze on it despite reports that its densities seem lower where deer
populations are high.
They tested a variety of herbicides including: 1. an Arsenal/Oust
(imazapyr/sulfometuron) combination; 2. Roundup (glyphosate); 3. Fusilade
(fluazifop, 1 pint per acre); and 4. Plateau (imazameth). Bottom line:
each of these herbicides kill Microstegium but getting a desirable
community back can be difficult. They found that Plateau was likely the
best and most economical alternative since it allowed development of the
sedgegrass, ragweed and legume community they wanted. On the strength of
earlier work they treated about 500 acres of their Field Trial area with
Plateau (at) a 6 ounce/acre rate last summer and had good results. It was a
droughty, hot summer and that also helped to control Microstegium, which
seems to prefer moist conditions. They like to spray Microstegium when it
reaches 2- to 4-inch height and added the following cautions:
A. you may need to burn the previous year's mat prior to spraying, so that
the herbicide reaches the green, growing plants;
B. the manufacturer (American Cyanamid) restricts the sale of Plateau in
some states in order to prevent inappropriate use on certain crops which
can make it difficult to obtain.
The Ames Plantation folks plan to publish their findings after following
the experiments for a bit longer. For now, additional details can be
found on their webpage: http://www.amesplantation.org
In particular, go to:
http://www.amesplantation.org/forestry%20&%20wildlife/jgrass.htm