Herbicides control trees, shrubs, weeds, and grasses to allow desirable crop trees and seedlings to grow. Penn State Cooperative Extension provides the following information and guidelines on herbicide use. This table is not intended as a complete guide.
Before using any pesticide, read and follow the label. Labeled pesticides undergo thorough testing. Following recommendations on the manufacturer’s label prevents many potential problems that may arise from incorrect product use.
Information is provided here with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Penn State Cooperative Extension is implied. Authors assembled the most reliable information available to them at time of publication. Due to constantly changing laws and regulations, authors can assume no liability for the recommendations. Any use of a pesticide contrary to instructions on the printed label is not legal or recommended.
For specific application rates, application costs, and recommendations check with company sales representative or herbicide distributor.
Note: pricing can vary based upon distributor and quantity discounts.
| Stem Injection/Frill Girdle (Hack and Squirt) |
Active Ingredient |
Herbicide Trade Name(s) |
Application Equipment |
Application Method |
Mixture (Rate) |
Time of Year |
Approximate 2007 Product Cost |
| 2,4-D |
DMA 4 IVM |
Injection or hatchet frill girdle and squirt bottle |
Injector: 1 - 2 ml per inch of trunk diameter. Frill girdle: continuous frill, fill cuts with mixture |
Injector: undiluted.
Frill girdle: 2.6 oz/gal of water |
Any season, except during heavy sap flow in spring |
$15/gal |
| Dicamba |
Vanquish |
Hatchet frill girdle and squirt bottle or brush |
Continuous frill, spray or paint cut surface within 30 min |
30% - 50% solution in water |
Any season, except during heavy sap flow in spring |
$72/gal |
| Glyphosate |
Accord Conc., Foresters', Razor, Razor Pro |
Injection or hatchet frill girdle and squirt bottle |
Continuous frill or evenly spaced cuts below all live branches. Best results achieved with diluted material in continuous frill |
25% to 100% solution in water 1ml per 2-3 inches of trunk diameter to continuous frill |
During active growth after full leaf expansion |
$21 - $34/gal |
| Hexazinone |
Velpar L |
Injector |
Inject 1 ml at 4 inch intervals around tree |
Undiluted |
Summer |
$56/gal |
| Imazapyr |
Arsenal AC, Polaris AC |
Injection or hatchet frill girdle and squirt bottle or brush |
Injector: 1ml per cut, 1" interval between cuts. Frill girdle: 2" interval between cuts, thoroughly wet cuts |
Diluted: 6 oz/gal water |
Any season, except during heavy sap flow in spring |
$391-460/gal |
| Imazapyr |
Stalker, Polaris SP |
Injection or hatchet frill girdle and squirt bottle or brush |
Injector: 1 ml per cut, 1" interval between cuts. Frill girdle: 2" interval between cuts, thoroughly wet cuts |
8-12 oz/gal water |
Any season, except during heavy sap flow in spring |
$190 - $376/gal |
| Picloram and 2, 4-D |
Pathway |
Injector or hatchet frill girdle and squirt bottle |
Injector - 1 ml. in each cut, 2" - 3" between edges. Frill girdle: complete frill low on stem, spray or paint injured surface until wet |
Undiluted: ready-to-use |
Any season, except during heavy sap flow in spring |
$28/gal |
| Picloram and 2, 4-D |
Tordon 101 M (Restricted Use) |
Injector or hatchet frill girdle and squirt bottle |
Injector: 1/2 ml undiluted or 1ml diluted at each injector site spaced 3" between wounds Frill girdle: complete frill, wet cut surface with diluted solution |
Undiluted or diluted 1:1 with water |
Any season, except during heavy sap flow in spring or during drouthy periods |
$44/gal |
| Triclopyr |
Garlon 3A, Tahoe 3A |
Injection or hatchet frill girdle and squirt bottle |
Injector: space cuts 3"-4", 1/2 ml undiluted or 1 ml diluted at each site. Frill girdle: complete frill, wet surface of cuts |
Undiluted or diluted 1:1 in water |
Any season, except during heavy sap flow in spring |
$64 - $70/gal |
 |
| Cut Stump |
Active Ingredient |
Herbicide Trade Name(s) |
Application Equipment |
Application Method |
Mixture (Rate) |
Time of Year |
Approximate 2007 Product Cost |
| 2,4-D |
DMA 4 IVM |
Backpack sprayer or squirt bottle |
Thoroughly soak entire stump including surface, bark, and exposed roots immediately after cutting |
2.6 oz/gal of water |
Any season, except during heavy sap flow in spring |
$15/gal |
| Dicamba |
Vanquish |
Backpack sprayer, squirt bottle, or brush |
Spray or paint to wet cambium area of freshly cut stumps within 30 min |
30% - 50% solution in water |
Any season, except during heavy sap flow in spring |
$72/gal |
| Fosamine |
Krenite S |
Backpack sprayer with low pressure |
Wet cambium and bark around stump down to root collar area |
Undiluted or diluted 1:1 with water |
Any season, except during heavy sap flow in spring |
$48/gal |
| Glyphosate |
Accord Conc., Foresters', Razor, Razor Pro |
Backpack sprayer or squirt bottle |
Cut stumps close to soil surface, wet cambial area immediately on freshly cut surface |
50% to 100% solution in water |
Periods of active growth and full leaf expansion |
$21 - $34/gal |
| Imazapyr |
Arsenal AC, Polaris AC |
Backpack sprayer, squirt bottle, or brush |
Thoroughly wet entire cambial area of freshly cut stump. |
Diluted: 6 oz/gal water |
Any season, except during heavy sap flow in spring |
$391-460/gal |
| Imazapyr |
Chopper, Polaris SP, Stalker |
Backpack sprayer, squirt bottle, or brush |
Spray or brush to thoroughly wet cambium area of freshly cut stump |
8-16 oz/gal water, diesel oil or penetrating oil |
Any season, except during heavy sap flow in spring |
$190 - $376/gal |
| Picloram and 2, 4-D |
Pathway |
Backpack sprayer or squirt bottle |
Spray or paint cambium area of freshly cut stump surfaces. |
Undiluted: ready-to-use |
Any season, except during heavy sap flow in spring |
$28/gal |
| Picloram and 2, 4-D |
Tordon 101 M (Restricted Use) |
Backpack sprayer, squirt bottle, or brush |
Injector or hatchet frill girdle and squirt bottle |
Undiluted or diluted 1:1 with water |
Any season, except during heavy sap flow in spring or during drouthy periods |
$44/gal |
| Triclopyr |
Garlon 3A, Tahoe 3A |
Backpack sprayer, squirt bottle, or brush |
Spray of paint cambium area of freshly cut stumps |
Undiluted or diluted 1:1 in water |
Any season, except during heavy sap flow in spring |
$64 - $70/gal |
| Triclopyr |
Garlon 4, Tahoe 4E |
Backpack sprayer with solid cone or flat fan nozzle |
Spray root collar, stump sides and cambial area of the cut surface. |
20% - 30% in basal oil, diesel fuel, fuel oil, or kerosene |
Year round, except when snow or water prevent spraying to ground line |
$84 - $90/gal |
| Triclopyr |
Pathfinder II |
Backpack sprayer, squirt bottle, or brush |
Treat root collar, stump sides and cambial area of the cut surface. |
Ready-to-use (petroleum distillate in the product) |
Year round, except when snow or water prevent spraying to ground line |
$38/gal |
|
| Basal Bark |
Active Ingredient |
Herbicide Trade Name(s) |
Application Equipment |
Application Method |
Mixture (Rate) |
Time of Year |
Approximate 2007 Product Cost |
| 2,4-D |
DMA 4 IVM |
Backpack sprayer |
Wet base and root collar until spray begins to accumulate at ground line |
2.6 oz/gal of water |
Year round, except when snow or water prevent spraying to ground line |
$15/gal |
| Imazapyr |
Chopper, Polaris SP, Stalker |
Backpack sprayer - low volume |
Spray to wet lower 12"-18" of stem including root collar |
8-12 oz. in 1gal diesel oil or penetrting oil |
Year round, except when snow or water prevent spraying to ground line |
$190 - $376/gal |
| Triclopyr |
Garlon 4, Tahoe 4E |
Backpack sprayer - low volume and pressure, solid cone or flat fan nozzle |
Spray to wet lower 12" - 15" of stem including root collar area |
20% - 30% in basal oil, diesel fuel, fuel oil, or kerosene |
Year round, except when snow or water prevent spraying to ground line |
$84 - $90/gal |
| Triclopyr |
Pathfinder II |
Backpack sprayer - low pressure, solid cone or flat fan nozzel |
Spray to wet lower 12" - 15" of stem. |
Ready-to-use (petroleum distillate in the product) |
Year round, except when snow or water prevent spraying to ground line |
$38/gal |
|
| Basal Soil |
Active Ingredient |
Herbicide Trade Name(s) |
Application Equipment |
Application Method |
Mixture (Rate) |
Time of Year |
Approximate 2007 Product Cost |
| Dicamba |
Vanquish (multiflora rose control only) |
Hand spot gun |
Single stem: apply directly to soil within 6" to 8" of root crown |
Dependent upon multiflora rose canopy diameter. No more than 2 qts/ac |
Apply when plants are dormant |
$72/gal |
| Haxazinone |
Velpar DF |
Exact delivery handgun applicator |
Apply to soil surface in grid pattern or spot soil within 3 feet of single stem root collar to be controlled |
Grid: undiluted, .6 - 5.2 ml per spot, depends on soil texture. Single stem: 2 2/3 lb/gal of water, 2-4 ml for each inch of DBH |
Apply from hardwood bud break to early summer |
$21/lb |
| Haxazinone |
Velpar L |
Exact delivery handgun applicator |
Apply to soil surface in grid pattern or spot soil within 3 feet of single stem root collar to be controlled |
Grid: undiluted, .6 - 5.2 ml per spot, depends on soil texture. Single stem: undiluted, 2 - 4 ml for each inch of DBH |
Apply from hardwood bud break to early summer |
$56/gal |
| Metsulfuron Methyl |
Patriot, Escort XP (multiflora rose control only) |
Hand spot gun |
Single stem: apply 4 ml for each 2' of canopy diameter to soil within 2' of stem |
1 oz per gal of water |
Early spring to summer |
$14-15/oz |
|
| Site Preparation: Hardwood Planting |
Active Ingredient |
Herbicide Trade Name(s) |
Application Equipment |
Application Method |
Mixture (Rate) |
Time of Year |
Approximate 2007 Product Cost |
| Clopyralid |
Transline |
Helicopter, skidder or backpack sprayer |
Broadcast foliar application made over the top of tolerant tree species or directed wet spot applications for broadleaf weed control |
1/3 to 2/3 pint/ac in 5 gal of water or 1/4 oz/gal of water |
Anytime during the growing season |
$330/gal |
| Glyphosate |
Accord Conc., Foresters', Razor, Razor Pro |
Helicopter, skidder, backpack, or mistblower |
Broadcast foliar, spray-to-wet, and low volume directed spray |
Varies by method of application, ply 1/2% non-ionic surfactant |
Prior to planting, during active growth following full leaf expansion |
$21 - 34/gal |
| Metsulfuron Methyl |
Escort XP, Patriot |
Helicopter or skidder |
Broadcast foliar application on sites where yellow poplar is to be planted |
Up to 2 oz/ac plus 1/4% surfactant |
Prior to planting, during active growth following full leaf expansion |
$14 - 15/oz |
| Sulfometuron Methyl |
Oust XP, Spyder |
Helicopter or skidder |
Broadcast foliar application for broadleaf weed control |
3 - 5 oz/ac |
Prior to planting, during acitve growth following full leaf expansion |
$8-10/oz |
|
| Site Preparation: Natural Hardwood Regeneration |
Active Ingredient |
Herbicide Trade Name(s) |
Application Equipment |
Application Method |
Mixture (Rate) |
Time of Year |
Approximate 2007 Product Cost |
| Glyphosate and Sulfometuron Methyl |
Accord Concentrate plus Oust XP |
Skidder or backpack mistblower |
Broadcast foliar application following shelterwood seed cut |
2 qts Accord & 2 oz. Oust XP per acre, plus 1/2% non-ionic surfactant |
Mid summer to early fall |
$34/gal |
| Glyphosate |
Accord Conc., Foresters' |
Skidder, backpack sprayer, or mistblower |
Broadcast foliar or spray to wet foliage (but not to point of runoff) |
2% - 5% solution, plus 1/2% non-ionic surfactant |
Growing season following full leaf expansion |
$27 - $34/gal |
| Sulfometuron Methyl |
Oust XP |
Skidder or backpack sprayer |
Broadcast foliar application following shelterwood seed cut |
2 - 5 oz in 25 - 50 gal water/ ac |
Growing season during active herbaceous weed growth |
$10/oz |
|
| Release Treatments: Hardwood |
Active Ingredient |
Herbicide Trade Name(s) |
Application Equipment |
Application Method |
Mixture (Rate) |
Time of Year |
Approximate 2007 Product Cost |
| Clopyralid |
Transline |
Helicopter, skidder or backpack sprayer |
Broadcast foliar application made over the top of tolerant tree species or directed wet spot applications |
1/3 to 2/3 pint/ac or 1/4 oz/gal of water |
Anytime during the growing season |
$330/gal |
| Glyphosate |
Accord Conc. |
Backpack sprayer |
Directed spray to wet, avoid contact with desirable plant species |
2% - 5% solution |
Summer, following full leaf expansion and during periods of active growth |
$34/gal |
| Metsulfuron Methyl |
Escort XP, Patriot |
Helicopter or skidder |
Broadcast foliar application over top of yellow poplar seedlings only |
Up to 2 oz/ac |
Early spring, after soil has settled around root system and prior to bud break. Herbaceous weeds: apply pre-emergence or shortly thereafter |
$14 - 15/oz |
| Sulfometuron Methyl |
Oust XP, Spyder |
Helicopter or skidder |
Broadcast foliar application over top of planted seedlings |
1- 4 oz/ac |
Early spring, after soil has settled around planting slit and before bud swell stage |
$8-10/oz |
|
| Site Preparation: Conifer Planting |
Active Ingredient |
Herbicide Trade Name(s) |
Application Equipment |
Application Method |
Mixture (Rate) |
Time of Year |
Approximate 2007 Product Cost |
| Clopyralid |
Transline |
Helicopter, skidder or backpack sprayer |
Broadcast foliar application made over the top of tolerant tree species or directed spray to wet spot applications for broadleaf weed control |
1/3 to 2/3 pint/ac or 1/4 oz/gal of water |
Anytime during the growing season |
$330/gal |
| Dicamba |
Vanquish |
Helicopter or skidder |
Broadcast foliar application, uniformly cover undesirable foliage |
2 qts max per acre, with non-ionic surfactant |
During periods of active growth |
$72/gal |
| Fosamine |
Krenite S |
Helicopter or skidder |
Broadcast foliar application |
2 - 6 qts/ac plus 16 oz/ac non-ionic surfactant |
Apply mid-summer to early fall |
$48/gal |
| Glyphosate |
Accord Conc., Foresters', Razor, Razor Pro |
Helicopter, skidder, backpack mistblower |
Broadcast foliar, spray-to-wet, and low volume directed spray foliar applications |
Varies by method of application, 1/2% non-ionic surfactant |
Prior to planting, active growth following full leaf expansion |
$21 - $34/gal |
| Glyphosate and Imazapyr |
One Step |
Helicopter, skidder or backpack sprayer |
Broadcast foliar applications, directed foliar or spot sprays |
5 - 16 pts/ac or 5% - 10% spray solution |
During periods of active growth |
$75/gal |
| Haxazinone |
Velpar DF |
Helicopter or skidder |
Broadcast foliar application |
2 2/3 lb/ac - 6 2/3 lb/ac dependent upon soil texture |
Early spring - early summer after bud break and before hardening off |
$21/lb |
| Haxazinone |
Velpar L |
Helicopter or skidder |
Broadcast foliar application |
4 - 10 qts/ac dependent upon soil texture |
Early spring - early summer after bud break and before hardening off |
$56/gal |
| Imazapyr |
Arsenal AC, Polaris AC |
Helicopter or skidder |
Broadcast foliar application |
Species dependent, 12-40 oz/ac, 1/2% non-ionic surfactant |
Summer, in advance of regeneration |
$391-460/gal |
| Imazapyr |
Chopper, Polaris SP |
Helicopter, skidder, or backpack |
Broadcast foliar application |
Species dependent, 24-80 oz/ac |
Growing season following full leaf expansion |
$190 - $215/gal |
| Metsulfuron Methyl |
Escort XP, Patriot |
Helicopter or skidder |
Broadcast foliar application |
Up to 4 oz/ac for loblolly pine or 2 oz/ac for red pine plus 1/4% surfactant |
During periods of active growth following full leaf expansion |
$14 - 15/oz |
| Picloram |
Tordon K (Restricted Use) |
Helicopter or skidder |
Broadcast foliar application |
1 - 2 qts/ac |
During periods of active growth |
$92/gal |
| Picloram and 2, 4-D |
Tordon 101 M (Restricted Use) |
Helicopter or skidder |
Broadcast foliar application |
1 - 2 gal/ac |
During periods of active growth |
$44/gal |
| Sulfometuron Methyl and Metsulfuron Methyl |
Oust Extra |
Helicopter or skidder |
Broadcast foliar applications for loblolly and red pine only |
Species dependent,
1 1/3 - 4 oz/ac |
After full leaf expansion in spring and before normal defoliation in fall. Herbaceous weeds: apply pre-emergence or shortly thereafter |
$8/oz |
| Sulfometuron Methyl |
Oust XP, Spyder |
Helicopter or skidder |
Broadcast foliar spray for herbaceous weed control |
Varies by species, 2 - 8 oz / ac |
Early spring, before herbaceous weeds emerge or shortly thereafter |
$8 - 10/oz |
| Triclopyr |
Garlon 3, Tahoe 3A |
Helicopter or skidder |
Broadcast foliar applications |
2 gal/ac, plus non-ionic surfactant |
During periods of active growth |
$64 - $70/gal |
| Triclopyr |
Garlon 4, Tahoe 4E |
Helicopter or skidder |
Broadcast foliar applications |
3 - 6 qts/ac |
During periods of active growth |
$84 - $90/gal |
|
| Release Treatments: Conifer |
Active Ingredient |
Herbicide Trade Name(s) |
Application Equipment |
Application Method |
Mixture (Rate) |
Time of Year |
Approximate 2007 Product Cost |
| 2, 4-D |
DMA 4 IVM |
Helicopter or skiider |
Broadcast foliar application |
1 1/2 to 3 qts/ac |
Mid to late summer, after conifers have hardened off |
$14/gal |
| Clopyralid |
Transline |
Helicopter, skidder or backpack sprayer |
Broadcast foliar application made over the top of tolerant tree species or directed spray to wet spot applications for broadleaf weed control |
1/3 to 2/3 pint/ac or 1/4 oz/gal of water |
Anytime during the growing season |
$330/gal |
| Glyphosate |
Accord Conc., Foresters', Razor, Razor Pro |
Helicopter, skidder, backpack sprayer |
Broadcast foliar application |
3/4 to 2 qts plus 1/2% non-ionic surfactant, 5 gal spray solution/ac |
Later summer or early fall, after formation of final conifer resting bud |
$21 - $34/gal |
| Haxazinone |
Velpar DF |
Helicopter or skidder |
Broadcast foliar application |
Depends upon species released and soil texture; 1 1/3 - 4 lb/ac |
Spring after bud break and before full leaf expansion |
$21/lb |
| Haxazinone |
Velpar L |
Helicopter or skidder |
Broadcast foliar application |
Depends upon species released and soil texture; 2 - 8 qts/ac |
Spring after bud break and before full leaf expansion |
$56/gal |
| Imazapyr |
Arsenal AC, Polaris AC |
Helicopter, skidder, or backpack sprayer |
Broadcast foliar application or directed foliar |
Species dependent, 6 - 20 oz/ac, 1/4% non-ionic surfactant |
Late in second growing season following planting |
$391-460/gal |
| Imazapyr |
Chopper, Polaris SP |
Backpack sprayer |
Directed foliar spray applications |
2% - 10% mix in water |
Late in growing season after formation of final conifer resting bud |
$190 - $215/gal |
| Metsulfuron Methyl |
Escort XP, Patriot |
Helicopter or skidder |
Broadcast foliar application |
1 - 4 oz/ac for loblolly pine only |
Active growth following full leaf expansion. Herbaceous weeds: apply pre-emergence or shortly thereafter |
$14 - 15/oz |
| Sulfometuron Methyl and Metsulfuron Methyl |
Oust Extra |
Helicopter or skidder |
Broadcast foliar spray, loblolly pine only |
2 2/3 - 4 oz. per ac |
Active growth following full leaf expansion. Herbaceous weeds: apply pre-emergence or shortly thereafter |
$8/oz |
| Sulfometuron Methyl |
Oust XP, Spyder |
Helicopter, skidder, or backpack sprayer |
Broadcast foliar spray for herbaceous weed control |
Varies by species, 1 - 8 oz / ac |
Dormant season prior to conifer bud break |
$8 - 10/oz |
| Triclopyr |
Garlon 3A, Tahoe 3A |
Helicopter, skidder , or backpack sprayer |
Broadcast foliar or directed spray application with flat fan nozzel or equivalent |
2 - 4 qts/ac or 1 - 2% mix plus non-ionic surfactant |
Late summer or early fall, after formation of final conifer resting bud |
$64 - $70/gal |
| Triclopyr |
Garlon 4, Tahoe 4E |
Helicopter, skidder, or backpack sprayer |
Broadcast foliar applications or directed foliar spray |
1.5 - 3 qts per acre or 4% - 20% solution in water |
Late summer or early fall after formation of final conifer resting bud, prior to fall coloration |
$84 - $90/gal |
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