Journal of NACAA

Improving Russian Olive Control By Using Basal Bark Treatments Combined with Mechanical Removal

ISSN 2158-9429

Volume 13, Issue 2 - December 2020

Editor: Linda Chalker-Scott

Abstract

Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is an invasive tree impacting agricultural areas and disrupting riparian system functions. Basal bark herbicide application alone will seldom kill larger Russian olive trees, but it will kill the epicormic buds at the treatment site. This study evaluated combinations of three basal bark herbicide treatments (none, triclopyr in diesel, and triclopyr in methylated seed oil) with four mechanical removal techniques (none, saw-cut, grind, and uproot) for Russian olive control. The addition of herbicide pretreatment to cutting or grinding mechanical removal significantly improved control.  Uprooting was the only mechanical removal treatment to have a significant increase in sprouting plants between the May and August evaluations.