Article_Maintaining-Healthy-Forest

Maintaining Healthy Forest Vegetation With Herbicides on Utility Rights-of-Way

Problems and Herbicidal Solutions for Your Integrated Vegetation Management of Forested Utility Rights-of-Way Corridors

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Trees and vegetation can become dangerous if growth is left unchecked in forested utility corridors, and unwanted or invasive brush can compete for the resources more desirable, early successional species need to thrive. It’s the duty of utility foresters and arborists to inspect this infrastructure and decide if vines, brush and trees pose a threat. However, a traditional mechanical-only approach means temporary height regulation on the utility rights-of-way floor. Planning and being proactive can result in getting ahead of these safety situations and increased restoration times.

That’s why herbicides are a key part of a successful integrated vegetation management plan for forests.

For decades, foresters have trusted Envu brands and relied on us for new innovations. So we’ve addressed four problems you might encounter and some of our possible solutions.

Healthy forest spraying

Problem: Incompatible Brush and Trees

If you’ve found tough brush and tree species on your utility rights-of-way, foundational and selective solutions like Method^® 240SL herbicide can help start the process of long-term management. When an early successional habitat is released as a result of selective herbicide treatments, a form of biological control is provided through native low-growing plants naturally competing with unwanted brush and tree species.

Healthy forest pollinators

Problem: Promoting Pollinator and Wildlife Habitats

Trying to keep back problem brush and trees while promoting much-needed native habitats can be tedious, so stopping unwanted trees from sprouting in the first place is your best bet for the long run. Method 240SL and Escort^® XP herbicide are very effective components in an herbicide mixture for management in promoting early successional habitats. They provide broad-spectrum control of woody brush and trees while still being selective to native perennial grasses.

Problem: Woody Vines Climbing Poles, Towers and Other Utility Structures

Sure, you can use nonconductive mechanical tools to cut pesky vines back season after season, but long-lasting control starts with the proper herbicide. Escort XP can be applied through foliar treatments to be absorbed by the foliage of plants and translocated to root systems. Vines are extremely conductive and can rapidly close the gap between the ground and energized conductors. Being proactive in treating vines enables you to get ahead of dangerous situations before they arise.

Article Maintaining Healthy Forest woody vines

Problem: Building Tank-Mix Solutions

Getting all the coverage you need sometimes means using multiple herbicides, so building the right tank mix is important. Luckily, many of the vegetation management herbicides from Envu can be tank-mixed with other herbicides registered for similar industrial use sites as specified on the label. Starting with vine, brush and tree identification is always an important first step in determining the right mix.

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Trust Envu Herbicide Solutions on Your Way Ahead

healthy forest solutions

Protecting our utility corridors as well as forest health is a big part of our job as stewards of these lands. Whether your objective is to have clear access, improved forest health or ecosystem restoration, Envu can help you on the way ahead in your integrated vegetation management journey.

Learn how a specific integrated vegetation management program can help you promote safe clearances and native early successional habitats.

Contact your Envu rep and visit our Portfolios and Solutions page.

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Escort^® and Method^® are registered trademarks of Envu Group.

Tank mixtures: The applicable labeling for each product must be in the possession of the user at the time of application. Follow applicable use instructions, including application rates, precautions and restrictions of each product used in the tank mixture. Not all tank mix product formulations have been tested for compatibility or performance other than specifically listed by brand name. Always predetermine the compatibility of tank mixtures by mixing small proportional quantities in advance.