Slash and squirt control of Ailanthus

[Mark Horberg]

I have 20-30 ailanthus trees on my property in the 4-6 inch diameter range.  What specific herbicide and concentration should I use for slash and squirt?  Can you recommend a place where it can be purchased in small quantities?  Thanks. 

[Ronald L Frisbee]

Hi Mark and welcome to ForestConnect!  I don't have the answers to the technical questions, but here is a resource on MyWoodlot.com for a video on hack and squirt for Tree of Heaven.    https://mywoodlot.com/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&it...

[Peter Smallidge]

Hi Mark:

Thanks for the question.  

The NYS DEC maintains a website that lists all of the products (herbicides) that are legal for use on specific plants. I find the site quite useful as you can search for a pest, such as Ailanthus - tree of heaven, or by chemical or by EPA registration number.  I've pasted an image below of the search I did for your question.

In my search I found basically two products that are labelled for use in NY to control Ailanthus. Both have the active ingredient triclopyr, which for both is usually mixed with an oil base.  Pathfinder II is premixed. The other is Brushtox and appears to be a concentrate that you will need to mix. I attached the labels for both products to this message.  I have used Pathfinder II, but I am not familiar with Brushtox...maybe another reader is and can comment.

I believe you can purchase Pathfinder II from arborchem.com, and at a discount if you are a member of New York Forest Owners Association.  You could also search the internet for local vendors for these products.

Here is the web site to look for the labels. NYS DEC pesticide (herbicide) labels   

Note that neither of these products is labeled for use via a hack and squirt treatment. Both can be used as a basal bark treatment or cut stump treatment. In NY the pest plant and the manner of treatment (e.g., hack and squirt) must be listed on the label for the treatment to be legal. There are other resources on this site for basal bark, if you need more information. Search for basal bark.

Let us know if you have more questions.

Peter

[Kevin Mathers]

Mark,

In addition to all the guidelines provided, it is important to note that this is a difficult tree to control.  Penn State has prepared a very helpful fact sheet on control of Ailanthus which you can find here   Remember that you'll need to use the pesticides allowed by NYS DEC and follow all the label instructions.  

Kevin

[Linda Rohleder]

Accord XRT II can be used for tree of heaven. There is a 2ee registration. If you put Accord in the product name in the search field on the web site Peter referenced you will see there are many 2ees for additional species other than those on the label. The accord XRT II label gives directions for rate, concentration and use. And the 2ee will be specific for the species it refers to. You should keep a copy of it along with the label.

One of the least expensive places we've found to purchase it is Arborchem. You can buy a single 2.5 gallon jug.

You should also be able to use Roundup from your local hardware or big box store as long as you follow the label.

Seasonal timing is important. Later in the summer or early fall when it's starting to draw nutrients down into the roots is more effective than early spring when nutrients are flowing up.

Important reminder that if you are not applying on your own land you have to be licensed to apply herbicides.

[Peter Smallidge]

Linda:

Nice to know about the 2(ee) for Ailanthus via Accord XRT II.  I appreciate the information.

Peter