Herbicides and their Effect on the Plant Community

Abstract

Herbicides are chemicals designed to kill weeds. They will also kill desirable plants if they are misused. In our present day society, it would be difficult or impossible to do without some herbicides. Consequently, it is important to understand herbicides and use them in the proper manner. Most of our preemergence herbicides do not injure trees. The broadleaf herbicides account for most of the injuries reported to this office. The total vegetation control agents also account for a number of injuries. These can sometimes be alleviated by using activated charcoal. Once the herbicide gets into a tree there is little that can be done. No major pruning or removal should take place for a year or so because quite often a tree will recover from herbicide injury. Extreme efforts must be made to read the label for precautions and directions to insure minimum effect on trees.