phragmites and rodeo

[mmc]

Hi all,

Does anyone have any thoughts on the use of Round-up/Rodeo on Phragmites? Any experiences with just cutting and tarpping?

thanks.
MMC.


PS. Sorry to be one of the only few posting to this forum these days.

[bfaneuf]

Yes, Rodeo is the most common herbicide used on Phrag. As much as you may want to get rid of it in a holistic fashion, you're kidding yourself. Phrag is so prolific and well established in large stands that it has years of energy stored up in its stolons. Not only that, but tarps tend to tear. If there is any small hole available, it will find its way through. If the tarp is getting old, the Phrag can 'punch' its way through. Also, I've seen Phrag (and Japanese knotweed) travel as much as 15 feet to the edge of the tarp in order to find sunlight. Best thing to do is to get a licensed applicator with experience doing this. Get concentrations, any surfactants that will compliment the Rodeo, make sure they avoid windy days, how much they intend on applying and the manner in which they will apply. If done correctly you will be amazed by what grows up in its place. In many cases the original seed bed that was out-competed by the Phrag in the first place come back. Good luck!

[mmc]

What about concerns about the use of herbicides on amphibians and shellfish larvae?

[bfaneuf]

Lets first talk about timing. The timing in which Phragmites is treated with Rodeo coincides with the time of year that they have fully developed their seed heads. The reason for this is because the plant has invested a lot of energy reserves from the stolons to make those seeds. Thus you hit it when it is at its weakest. That normally coincides with early September, +/-. Amphibian larvae have left the building, so to say, by that time. Shellfish larvae should also not be an issue at that time, but I'm not a shellfish expert. Rodeo is considered an 'aquatic approved' herbicide. The most important aspects are that the herbicide should wet the plant, but not to the point of dripping, and that a NON-IONIC surfactanct be used in conjunction with the Rodeo. Rodeo is a glyphosate based herbicide, which means that it is non-selective and will kill anything, as opposed to triclopyr which only kills broad-leafed plants and not grasses. Sometimes another herbicide, called Habitat, is added to the Rodeo to make it even more effective.

Other options include hand swiping, which is using a special glove to get the herbicide on the plant directly and not through the air. You can do a cut-stem treatment where you cut it near the base and then 'pour' a little juice into the stem. You can do 'wicking,' where you wipe the tops of the plants with a canvas-covered applicator. The drawbacks include not being as effective and certainly will cost much more than aerial spraying.

[mmc]

Thanks very much!!

[Clemmys]

We ahve a test case of knotweed/phrag erradication that we are planning to start this year. It will include cutting the vegetation flush, and covering with a thick 3mil poly, weighing the poly and waiting 1-2 seasons.... this is on the edge of a river and we didnt want to use herbicides in this area...

it is supposed to work well, esp in areas that are close to 100% invasive... it will kill off all vegetation, then we will replant with native species...

i can update in a year or so, but it might be worth a try...

it will require regular reivew of the poly to ensure that nothing have broken through, nothing has cut the poly etc, but is a low cost, low maintenance solution...

[mmc]

Thanks. We have approved the cutting and tarpping in the past.

Good luck with your project.