Comparison
of efficacy of girdling and various rates of triclopyr ester basal applications
for control of poplar spp. Guggenmoos, S.
Trembling aspen and balsam poplar saplings under powerlines in section
24 of 63-11-W5 northwest of Whitecourt, Alberta were treated with basal
applications of 4.8g or 14.4g triclopyr ester per liter of diesel oil or
girdled. Poplar stems ranged from 1-6 cm in diameter. Treatments
were replicated 3 times with 10 sample stems per species per replicate.
Girdling was done on September 2 and 3, 1992 by stripping a minimum 2.5 cm wide
band to below the cambium layer with a budding knife. All girdling cuts
were made within 15 cm of the root collar. Basal applications with a
backpack sprayer were made by applying the mixture of diesel and triclopyr in a
straight stream to completely
wet the lower 45 cm of the target stems on September 15, 1992. The degree
of stem kill and root suckering were assessed on September 16, 1994.
Comparison of girdling with triclopyr ester
basal applications
STEM KILL (%)
SPROUT FACTOR2
Rate
Trembling
Balsam
Trembling Balsam
TREATMENT
(g/L)1
aspen
poplar
aspen
poplar
triclopyr
ester
4.8
100 c3
100
c
0 a
0 a
triclopyr
ester
14.4
100
c
100 c
0
a
0 a
girdling
NA
80 b
62
b
0
a
25 b
Control
0 a
2
a
0 a
0 a
1 a.i. per L of diesel fuel
2 number of sprouts X maximum sprout
length
3 Duncan's Multiple range Test at 5%
level
Both rates of triclopyr ester provided complete control of the poplar
species. The results indicate no benefit to the higher label rates for
basal applications, using diesel as the diluent, for control of poplar.
While girdling provided significant stem kill of both trembling aspen and
balsam poplar only the control of trembling aspen is considered good.
Girdling of balsam poplar resulted in inadequate stem kill and significant
sprouting from the root collar and roots. Girdling appears to offer another
vegetation control technique but research and experience will need to confirm
efficacy by tree species. (TransAlta Utilities, Sherwood Park, Alberta)
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