Vo I. 19 , No. 1 
Page 4 
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of woody cover threaten nearby open meadows with a close seed source and a 
hemming-in effect. 
Fire can be a useful tool in retarding succession in areas where periodic 
plowing and cropping is not warranted or is impossible. However, fire alone 
will not control succession adequately in many situations. Fuel supplies under 
large trees or on soils of low fertility may be inadequate to obtain fires of 
sufficient intensity to kill woody growth. Where fuel supplies are adequate to 
kill top growth, continual resprouting perpetuates the problem. However, 
periodic fire promotes the development of fire-to 1erant prairie flora and 
thereby gradually increases fuel supplies for subsequent burns. 
Control of woody invasion by mowing with a heavy-duty rotary cutter is 
sometimes desirable, but, because of the resprouting problem, mowing is 
ineffective, costly, and too consumptive of energy in the long run. Also, 
heavy thorn growth on honey locust, hawthorn, and multi flora rose causes 
frequent flat-tire problems. Large trees may be felled or at least girdled 
by chain saw or axe, but resprouting may then become a problem with stumps 
or with the bases of girdled trees. 
The judicious use of chemical control appears to offer the most efficient 
and effective means of controlling succession of woody plants, especially when 
used in conjunction with fire, physical methods, and prairie restoration. One 
of the most promising chemicals in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, selectivity, 
t and ease of handling appears to be picloram. Picloram (TORDON 1 OK) is sold in 
a dry pelletized formulation of 10 percent 4-amino-3, 5, 6-trichloropicolinic 
acid. Toxicological studies indicate that picloram has low dermal toxicity and 
very low toxicity to fish, birds, mammals, and soil microorganisms. Picloram 
can be applied by hand (perhaps in conjunction with our annual nest search), a 
pinch at a time, at the base of individual stems or suckers or unwanted woody 
vegetation. The pellets are then activated by rain soaking the chemical into 
the root zone. Picloram has been successfully used in the Great Lakes states 
in maintaining openings in forests for wildlife. We see no reason why such a 
chemical cannot be used in our situation to help gain maximum utilization of 
our limited sanctuary acreage by prairie chickens. 
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