Silvics Analytic Timing of Site Preparation and Post-Plant Weed Control to Optimize Pine Growth Integration of research results from three region-wide studies D.K. Lauer

Silvics Analytic South US Timber Types Percent of 201 Million Acres From: Wear and Greis Southern Forest Resource Assessment

Silvics Analytic Associated Vegetation Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) range Southeast U.S. 490 species estimated across just 13 pine plantation study sites (Miller et al. 2003) 68 species of trees 33 species/genera of shrubs 140 genera of herbaceous and others

Silvics Analytic 2 Major Findings Vegetation Control Strategy

Silvics Analytic Early benefits of herb control can be negated by woody vegetation! (from Miller et al SJAF) Herb Control Herb + Woody Control

Silvics Analytic Can double production by eliminating competing vegetation! (from Miller et al SJAF) GOAL

Silvics Analytic Operational Strategy Chemical site prep Control arborescent woody Control woody shrubs Provide initial herbaceous control Post-plant Herbaceous weed control Extend herbaceous control

Silvics Analytic 2001 and 2002 BASF Study Locations 4 Chopper Timing with Bedding 5 LCP HWC after Chopper Site Prep 3 UCP HWC after Chopper Site Prep

Silvics Analytic Chopper Timing Historical Use Guidelines Chopper + triclopyr targeted for later season: Perception of enhanced performance Perception of improved residual control Timing relative to bedding Apply at least 4 weeks before Wait for good re-growth after bedding

Silvics Analytic Chopper Timing - Results New Guidelines Relate to When bedding is done When applications are made Application timing Season of application

Silvics Analytic Study Series Chopper Timing with Bedding 4 Locations 48 oz Chopper + 1 or 2 pints Garlon qt MSO No post-plant HWC

Silvics Analytic Chopper Timing with Bedding Series Mid-season or late-season bedding Applications before and after bedding After Bed Before Bed

Silvics Analytic Acknowledgements Study sites and operational bedding provided by: Boise Cascade Foley Timber and Land Company Plum Creek Timber Company Rayonier

Silvics Analytic Locations –Oakdale, LA (Caddo-P to MW Silt-loam) –Whiteville, NC (Torhunta-VP to P Sandy-loam) –Yulee, FL (Goldhead-P sand w/clay loam subsoil) –Tennille, FL (Leon-P fine sand) Common Species –Maples, sweetgum, bays, waxmyrtle, herbs –Gallberry, redroot, grasses –Blackberry Study Sites

Silvics Analytic Mid-Season Bedding

Silvics Analytic Mid-season Bed - Application Timeline Feb 24May 23 July 25 Nov 6

Silvics Analytic Chopper Application Timing Mid-season bedding --- Before Bed After Bed

Silvics Analytic Yulee Location August 22, Untreated Plots 11 weeks after June 7 bed13 weeks before Nov 19 bed

Silvics Analytic Yulee, FL November 6, 2001 App 1 day before June 7 bedApp just hours after June 7 bed

Silvics Analytic Tennille, FL February 24 Application February 24, 2001August 21 – 13 weeks after bed

Silvics Analytic Tennille, FL August 21, 2001 App 2 days before May 23 bed Untreated Check – May 23 bed

Silvics Analytic Whiteville, NC June 12 bedding April 17 app June 12 bedding

Silvics Analytic Oakdale, LA June 24, 2001 June 12 application

Silvics Analytic Late-Season Bedding

Silvics Analytic Late-season Bed - Application Timeline Feb 24May 21 Sept 27 Nov 19

Silvics Analytic Yulee, FL - Nov 6, 2001 (Nov 19 bedding) April 19 application June 6 application Sept 18 applicationNov 6 (frost) application

Silvics Analytic Chopper Application Timing Late-season bedding Before Bed

Silvics Analytic Pine Response Mid-Season Bedding

Silvics Analytic Pine Volume Index (year 2) Mid-Season Bed – Sandy Soils Bedding % increase

Silvics Analytic Pine Volume Index (year 2) Fine Textured Soils – Mid Season Bed Bedding After Bedding----

Silvics Analytic Pine Response Late-Season Bedding

Silvics Analytic Pine Volume Index (year 2) Late-Season Bed - Sandy Soils Bedding % Increase

Silvics Analytic Pine Volume Index (year 2) Fine Textured Soils – Late Season Bed ---- Bedding Before Bed % increase

Silvics Analytic Optimal Chopper Timing Mid-Season Bed June through September at least 3 weeks after bedding February up to the day before bedding Wait for target species to leaf out.

Silvics Analytic Optimal Chopper Timing Late-Season Bed February through July Wait for target species to leaf out

Silvics Analytic Herbaceous Weed Control Timing After Chopper Site Prep

Silvics Analytic HWC after Chopper Site Prep LCP Studies Chopper ™ Site Prep Rate 32, 48, 64 oz per acre Site Prep Date July-August October-November

Silvics Analytic HWC after Chopper Site Prep LCP Herbaceous weed control with Arsenal ™ AC (4 oz)+ sulfometuron (2oz) 1)None 2)1 st March 3)1 st June 4)2 nd March 5)1 st March + 2 nd March 6)1 st June + 2 nd March

Silvics Analytic Post-plant herbaceous control following Chopper Site prep Two timings and three rates of Chopper Site Prep Different timings of post-plant herbaceous weed control

Silvics Analytic Pine response to HWC after Chopper Site Prep Basic Findings 1 st year HWC more important than 2 nd year HWC 1 st year HWC important when there is > 20% cover in June 1 st year HWC is not important when there is less than 10% cover in June

Silvics Analytic Pine response to HWC after Chopper Site Prep Basic Findings (continued) First Year - March applications were better or similar to June applications 2 nd year HWC increases pine response if weeds are present and controlled

Silvics Analytic Pines Responded to Vegetation Control High Fertility and Tillage were not Substitutes

Silvics Analytic SI ft (23m) Year 3 Loblolly Pine Volume Index Increasing Level of Vegetation Control

Silvics Analytic Quality Matters Chopper was a good base for post- plant treatments

Silvics Analytic June cover = 4% Green Swamp, NC Pine After Three Years

Silvics Analytic Green Swamp, NC Impact of Year 2 March HWC

Silvics Analytic August

Silvics Analytic End of 3 rd growing season

Silvics Analytic June cover = 27% Oakdale, LA Pine After Three Years

Silvics Analytic Oakdale, LA Impact of Year 1 March HWC

Silvics Analytic LCP Results Cover > 20% in June of first year Apply HWC in first year anytime through June early for best pine response Add a second year treatment Cover < 10% in June of first year Apply HWC early in second year

Silvics Analytic

HWC combined with Chopper Site Prep - UCP

Silvics Analytic Chopper Site Prep Treatments UCP Chopper Timings July, October 2002 Chopper Rates 32, 48, and 64 oz/ac

Silvics Analytic HWC Timing UCP 4 oz Arsenal + 2 oz Sulfometuron –None 2003 –None March 2004 –March 2003 –March March 2004 –June 2003 –June March 2004

Silvics Analytic Herbaceous Weed Control Timing First Year March >= First Year June AlabamaArkansas Louisiana

Silvics Analytic Herbaceous Weed Control Timing First Year June >= Second Year March

Silvics Analytic Herbaceous Weed Control Timing Treat 2X with High Competition Levels + 34% AlabamaArkansasLouisiana

Silvics Analytic Barnett Crossroads, AL Chopper as a good base for HWC 1st March or 1 st March+2nd March 2 nd March No HWC 1st June or 1 st June+2nd March

Silvics Analytic Barnett Crossroads vs. Atmore COMP Total Height - Year 2

Silvics Analytic Barnett Crossroads vs. Atmore COMP GLD - Year 2

Silvics Analytic Chopper Site Prep Improves Quality of 1 st March Arsenal + Sulfometuron Year 2 Pines 0 oz Chopper Site Prep48 oz Chopper Site Prep

Silvics Analytic Conclusions The historical limitations on Chopper site prep with bedding were too restrictive Chopper applications should be done earlier in the year than previously thought

Silvics Analytic Conclusions Chopper site prep combined with the proper HWC treatment regime is a viable operational strategy to achieve yields observed in research studies