JSDA FOREST SERVICE RESEARCH NOTE NE-115 



1970 



MISTBLOWING A HARDWOOD 

 UNDERSTORY IN WEST VIRGINIA 

 WITH "DT" HERBICIDE 



Abstract. — A 4()-pound ahg solution of 2,4-D and 2,4, 5 -T herbicide 

 was successfully mistblown on an undesirable hardwood understory 

 on a good site in West Virginia. After 2 years, many of the stems 1 to 

 15 feet tall had been killed or severely damaged. The possibilities of 

 obtaining desirable shade-intolerant reproduction on the site were im- 

 proved by the application of this "D-T" herbicide backpack mistblowing 

 treatment. 



Obtaining desirable reproduction after clearcutting harvest operations 

 is one of the most important challenges in forestry. One research facet 

 of this problem involves determining how a dense undesirable hardwood 

 understory can be substantially deadened at reasonable cost so that 

 desirable reproduction can get started. 



Tierson 1 reported on work done over a period of several years in New 

 York State that is applicable to the problem. He developed a means of 

 reducing the effects of dense beech (Fagus grandifoiiaVhth.) understories 

 in northern hardwood stands so that, after the clearcut harvesting of the 

 overstory, desirable species such as sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) , 

 yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton), white ash (Fraxmus 

 americana L.), and black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) had a better 

 opportunity to become established and to develop as the future forest 

 stand. Tierson had excellent success m killing the understories with 2,4, 5-T 

 in either oil or water, using both tractor-mounted and backpack mist- 

 blowers. With backpack mistblowers, he effectively deadened understory 

 beech up to 20 feet in height at a cost of $6 to $7 per acre. 



tierson, William C. Controlling Understory Beech By Use of Mistblowers. 

 ^Northern Logger 17(12): 24, 41. 1969. 



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