invasive plants incentive program - bugwoodcloud · top six species* and fia occurrence data: acres...

Invasive Plants Incentive Program

November 2009

James Johnson

Staff Forester

Georgia Forestry Commission

Athens, GA

Invasive Plants in Georgia…

Major invasive plants impacting forestry in Georgia…

Top Six Species* and FIA occurrence data:

Acres

1. Non-native Privet 3.5 million

2. Non-native Olive 178,000

3. Chinese Tallowtree 720,000

4. Non-native Rose 580,000

5. Japanese Climbing Fern 922,000

6. Cogongrass < 500*

* GFC estimate / opinion

Stimulus Grant – Major Components

“Cogongrass and Invasive Species Eradication in Georgia”

$1,795,000 total

•Private landowner program – treatments

•Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites – treatments

•UGA Warnell School – education and survey / treatments

•6 Foresters/technicians – within GFC districts

•1 Grant manager

•Travel

•Cogongrass eradication

Invasive Plants Incentive Program – computer info

Forms and rules can be

found at:

http://www.gatrees.org/

OR

Contact your GFC forester

Invasive Plants Incentive Program - overview

Primary purpose – job creation

Secondary purpose – eliminate invasive plants to improve

ecosystem health

Not a cost-share program – INCENTIVE PROGRAM

Targets complete costs to accomplish the work

Payments can’t exceed 100% of landowner costs

2 treatments are “required”

$250 / acre – initial treatment

$150 / acre – follow-up treatment

Invasive Plants Incentive Program - funding

Limited resource landowners receive priority

All others will chosen by random drawing

Requests exceed $2 million ($750,000 budget)

275 requests

Sign-up period ended October 31st

All requests must be field checked by GFC

Verify species, acreage, prescription, deadlines

Enter into computer system

$10,000 max per landowner (one time offer)

3 acre minimum practice size, must own 10 acres of

forest

Invasive Plants Incentive Program - Contract

Landowner fills out top, and signs

back page. Forester signs also.

Invasive Plants Incentive Program – landowner role

1. Meet with GFC forester/technician to show the invasive species –

verify species, and measure acreage

2. Discuss and plan treatment prescriptions

3. GFC will send follow-up correspondence outlining plan

4. GFC will notify you if you are selected (or not chosen)

5. Procure contractor (or plan for self treatment)

a) Contractor reporting obligations!

b) Let us know if you need help finding a contractor

6. Let GFC know when contractor plans to perform work – we can

help supervise

7. Turn in bills, receipts, etc and notify GFC treatment is complete

8. Plan for follow-up evaluations, and treatment #2 (if needed)

Invasive Plants Incentive Program – Additional stuff

•It is important the work be accomplished!

•Reminder notices will be sent before performance

deadlines

•GFC - offer help to line up contractors, supervise, and get

the work done!

•Georgia-based contractors

•“self applications” – OK

•All records (landowner and GFC), and property where work

was accomplished is subject to examination (State and Federal

auditors)

Autumn Olive (Eleagnus umbellata Thunb.)

Thorny Olive (Elaeagnus pungens)

Invasive Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus spp.)

Autumn olive, Silverthorn, and Russian olive

Percent of Subplots

In a County Occupied

Not Detected

20 - 50

10 - 20

< 10

USDA Forest Service SRS FIA

database March 2008 Miller and

Chambliss, Auburn

Non-native Olives – Control Recommendations

Foliar:

Arsenal AC* or Vanquish* as a 1-percent solution in water (4 ounces per 3-gallon mix) with

a surfactant (April to October). Or when safety to surrounding vegetation is desired,

Garlon 3A as a 2 percent solution (8 ounces per 3-gallon mix).

Basal Bark:

For stems too tall for foliar sprays, apply (January to February or May to October) a basal

spray using Garlon 4 as a 20-percent solution (5 pints per 3 gallon mix) in a labeled basal

oil product, vegetable oil or mineral oil with a penetrant, or where permitted, fuel oil or

diesel fuel, or undiluted, or Pathfinder II when safety to surrounding vegetation is desired.

Elsewhere apply Stalker* as a 6-percent solution (1.5 pints per 3-gallon mix) in a labeled

basal oil product, vegetable oil or mineral oil with a penetrant, or where permitted, fuel oil

or diesel fuel, to young stems.

Cut Surface or Injection:

Or, cut larger stems and immediately treat the stump tops with one of the following

herbicides in water with a surfactant: Arsenal AC* as a 5-percent solution (20 ounces per

3-gallon mix) or when safety to surrounding vegetation is desired, a glyphosate herbicide

as a 20-percent solution (5 pints per 3-gallon mix).

* Non-target plants may be killed or injured by root uptake.

Chinese Tallowtree (Triadica sebifera)

Tallowtree, PopcorntreeTriadica sebifera

Not Detected

80 - 100

50 - 80

20 - 50

10 - 20

< 10

Percent of Subplots

In a County Occupied

USDA Forest Service

SRS FIA database March 2008

Miller and Chambliss, Auburn

Chinese Tallowtree (Triadica sebifera)

Chinese Tallowtree – Control Recommendations

Large trees.

•Make stem injections using dilutions and cut spacings specified on the herbicide label (anytime except March and April) with

Arsenal AC* (or Habitat in aquatic situations) or Clearcast*; when safety to surrounding vegetation is desired, inject Garlon 3A

or glyphosate herbicides.

•For felled trees and cut saplings, apply an herbicide to stump tops and sides immediately after cutting using Garlon 4 as a

10-percent solution in a basal oil (1 quart per 3-gallon mix) when stumps are less than a 6-inch diameter and a 20-percent

solution (2 quarts per 3-gallon mix) on larger stumps, or apply Garlon 3A or glyphosate herbicides as a 20-percent solution (2

quarts per 3-gallon mix). Ortho Brush-B-Gone (triclopyr) and Enforcer Brush Killer (triclopyr) are also effective for treating cut

stumps and readily available to homeowners in retail garden stores. Follow the label directions.

•For treatment of extensive infestations in forest situations, apply Velpar L* to the soil surface within 3 feet of the stem (one

squirt of spot gun per 1-inch stem diameter) or in a grid pattern at spacings specified on the herbicide label.

Saplings. Apply Garlon 4 as a 15-percent solution (58 ounces per 3-gallon mix) in labeled basal oil, vegetable oil, kerosene,

or diesel fuel (where permitted), or undiluted Pathfinder II when safety to surrounding vegetation is desired, or Stalker* as a 6-

to 9-percent solution (1.5 to 2 pints per 3-gallon mix) in labeled basal oil, vegetable oil, kerosene, or diesel fuel (where

permitted) to young bark as a basal spray.

Seedlings and saplings. Thoroughly wet all leaves with one of the following herbicides in water with a surfactant (July to

October): Arsenal AC* as a 0.75-percent solution (3 ounces per 3-gallon mix), Arsenal Powerline* as a 1.5-percent solution (6

ounces per 3-gallon mix), Krenite S as a 20-percent solution (5 pints per 3-gallon mix), Clearcast* as a 2-percent solution (8

ounces per 3-gallon mix), or when safety to surrounding vegetation is desired, Garlon 4 as a 2-percent solution (8 ounces per

3-gallon mix).

Clearcast added to this control section

Non-native roses (Rosa spp.)

Nonnative RosesRosa spp.

Not Detected

80 - 100

50 - 80

20 - 50

10 - 20

< 10

Percent of Subplots

In a County Occupied

USDA Forest Service

SRS FIA database March 2008

Miller and Chambliss, Auburn

Non-native roses – Control Recommendations

Foliar:

Thoroughly wet all leaves with one of the following herbicides in water with a surfactant: April to June (at or near the

time of flowering)—Escort XP* at 1 ounce per acre in water (0.2 dry ounces per 3-gallon mix); August to October—

Arsenal AC* as a 1-percent solution (4 ounces per 3-gallon mix) or Escort XP* at 1 ounce per acre in water (0.2 dry

ounces per 3-gallon mix); May to October—repeated applications of a glyphosate herbicide as a 4-percent solution

in water (1 pint per 3-gallon mix), a less effective treatment that has no soil activity to damage surrounding plants.

Basal Bark:

For stems too tall for foliar sprays, apply basal sprays using Garlon 4 as a 20-percent solution (5 pints per 3-gallon

mix) in a labeled basal oil product, vegetable oil or mineral oil with a penetrant, or where permitted, fuel oil or diesel

fuel, or apply undiluted Pathfinder II (January to February or May to October).

Cut Surface or Injection:

Or, cut large stems and immediately treat the stump tops with one of the following herbicides in water with a

surfactant: Arsenal AC* as a 10-percent solution (1 quart per 3-gallon mix) or when safety to surrounding vegetation

is desired, a glyphosate herbicide as a 20-percent solution (5 pints per 3-gallon mix).

* Non-target plants may be killed or injured by root uptake.

Glyphosate has been the most effective if non-target damage is acceptable.

Japanese Climbing Fern (Lygopodium japonicum)

Japanese Climbing FernLygodium japonicum

Not Detected

50 - 80

20 - 50

10 - 20

< 10

Percent of Subplots

In a County Occupied

USDA Forest Service

SRS FIA database March 2008

Miller and Chambliss, Auburn

Japanese Climbing Fern

1. Dies back in late winter

2. Dead vines providing a trellis for reestablishment.

Japanese Climbing Fern – fire hazard

Japanese Climbing Fern – impacts straw industry…

Japanese Climbing Fern - Control Recommendations

Thoroughly wet all leaves with one of the following herbicides in water with a surfactant (July

to October):

Foliar:

•Glyphosate herbicide as a 4-percent solution (1 pint per 3-gallon mix)

•Arsenal AC* as a 1-percent solution (4 ounces per 3-gallon mix)

•Escort XP* at 1 to 2 ounces per acre in water (0.3 to 0.6 dry ounces per 3-gallon mix) and

as a mixture with a glyphosate herbicide

* Non-target plants may be killed or injured by root uptake.

Chinese Privet (Ligustrum spp)

Percent of Subplots

In a County Occupied

Not Detected

80 - 100

50 - 80

20 - 50

10 - 20

< 10

USDA Forest Service

SRS FIA database March 2008

Miller and Chambliss, Auburn

All Invasive PrivetsLigustrum spp.

Chinese Privet – invasion began long ago…

Chinese Privet

•Imported in 1852

•Planted as an ornamental

•Adapts well to many sites

•Aggressive invasive species

Winter Foliar Treatment – glyphosate 3-5%

AprilFebruary

Chinese Privet invades upland areas too…

Numerous low-growing small stems in pine

stand = good choice for broadcast understory

treatment

Burning may be good first step

Escort XP® (1 ounce per acre) – high volume

Chinese Privet control options

Foliar Treatments:

Escort XP® (1 oz per acre + 0.25% non-ionic surfactant) High Volume Broadcast. Good choice for pine stands but may damage hardwood overstory (Ash, Elm, Dogwood and Cherry are susceptible to root uptake from Escort). Growing season.

Glyphosate (2-5% solution with water) applied as a directed foliage spray DURING THE DORMANT SEASON. Good choice for hardwood stands with numerous sprouts or stands with desirable plants near privet. 41% activeingredient products.

Accord Concentrate® (up to 7 pints per acre) applied aerially DURING THE DORMANT SEASON (within piedmont region – GFC trial). 54% active ingredient product labeled for areas where standing water occurs. http://www.gatrees.org/ForestManagement/documents/AerialGlyphosateApplicationtoControlPrivet2009.pdf

Chinese Privet control options

Cut Surface Treatments: as a cut surface or injected into the cambium. Safe around desirable trees where privet must be removed.

• Krenite® (mixed 50-50 with water plus surfactant)

• Arsenal AC® (5% solution with water plus surfactant)

• Glyphosate (mixed 50-50 with water) – 41% active ingredient products

• Garlon 3A® (20% solution with water plus surfactant)

Basal Bark Treatments: Safe around desirable trees where privet must be removed.

• Garlon 4® (20% plus crop oil) applied as a basal bark treatment. Good treatment option for large privet with single stems and bushy canopy.

Other Considerations:

• Privet eradication will take at least 2 treatments over 2 growing seasons

• Most privet seed will germinate within one year of maturing

• Re-sprouts should be at least 24” before treating

More information on the Program

Georgia Forestry Commission website:

http://www.gatrees.org/

Cogongrass in Georgia: 2009 Update

Cogongrass

•An invasive from Asia infesting Gulf Coast wetlands,

savannas, and forests of Georgia, Florida, Alabama and

Mississippi

•Minor occurrences in Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and

South Carolina

•Considered one of the 10 worst weeds worldwide

Cogongrass

If left unchecked, we can predict the outcome!

A window of opportunity exists now!

How is Cogongrass spread?

Photo by Craig Ramsey, USDA - APHIS

Photo by Bill Lamp, GFC

Most of Georgia’s infestations began

from rhizomes…

Cogongrass: identification

Off-center mid-rib

Cogongrass: identification

Plants emerge individually from the ground

Cogongrass: identification

Hairy Legule

Cogongrass: identification

Roots are pointed &

sheathed

Cogongrass: identification

Warm season grass that seeds in the spring –March - May

Cogongrass sites in Georgia

322 sites

36 Georgia Counties

Field Guide to the Identification of Cogongrass

Partnerships

Allows…

GFC to treat Cogongrass at no charge to landowners

Partnerships

• Georgia Forestry Commission

• The Governor's Office

• USDA APHIS Plant Protection & Quarantine

• USDA Forest Service

• The Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, UGA

• USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service

• USDA – Farm Service Agency

• Georgia Department of Natural Resources

• Georgia Department of Agriculture

• Georgia Department of Transportation

• Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council

• Georgia Forestry Association

• Tall Timbers Research Center

• Jones Ecological Center

• Georgia Power Company

• The Nature Conservancy

• Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission

• Georgia Wildlife Federation

• The National Wild Turkey Federation

• Quality Deer Management Association

• Georgia Farm Bureau

• Society of American Foresters - Georgia Chapter

• The National Park Service

Initial Partners with the Cogongrass

Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA)

for Georgia

May 8, 2008

How can you help?

• Help spread the word next spring (March - May)

– Look for flowering/seeding

– Newsletters, mini-brochures

– Employees that are in the field (ID booklets)

– Field days, workshops, etc.

• Report suspect finds to local GFC office

More information on Cogongrass:

Georgia Forestry Commission website:

http://www.gatrees.org/ForestManagement/Cogongrass.cfm

Or

http://www.cogongrass.org/