Pesticide

Pesticide applicator training (PAT) – newsletter

The University of Wisconsin Extension Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT) program produces a newsletter dealing with information relevant to pesticide rules, regulations, certification, testing and more. The newsletter is called PAT CHAT and it comes out quarterly.

If you would like receive notifications of when the Pat Chat Newsletter is available, send an email to join-patprogram@lists.wisc.edu.

Written by: Todd Lanigan, forest health specialist, Eau Claire, (Todd.Lanigan@wisconsin.gov), 715-839-1632.

Stump treatment to prevent heterobasidion root disease (Annosum)

Applying a preventative treatment to a fresh pine stump using a backpack sprayer.

Applying a preventative treatment to a fresh pine stump using a backpack sprayer. Photo by: Linda Williams, WI DNR.

There are currently two products available to treat fresh pine stumps to prevent new infections of heterobasidion root disease (HRD), which was previously called annosum. The products are Cellu-Treat and Rotstop-C. Both are water soluble and can be sprayed on the stump. Sporax, a granular/powder product, was previously available but is no longer being manufactured. If you still have a supply of Sporax you can continue to use it. The one-page factsheet on HRD (Annosum) has been updated with information on where to purchase the available products.

For more information on Cellu-Treat and Rotstop-C please check out these websites:

Written by: Kyoko Scanlon, forest pathologist, Fitchburg (Kyoko.Scanlon@Wisconsin.gov), 608-275-3275.

Transline® herbicide trial begins

In keeping with the Reforestation Program’s mission of providing pertinent information to forestry professionals, we began a new herbicide field trial with Transline® (clopyralid). Many foresters and landowners are interested in applying herbicides after a site has been planted to inhibit weed competition. However, in the case of Transline®, not all species are referenced on the label. In addition, the varying rates prescribed may impact species differently. All of this can create a challenge for a forester or landowner when managing competition within the planting. Continue reading “Transline® herbicide trial begins”

Herbicide testing in nursery environment

Over the course of several years of monitoring new plantings on landowner properties throughout the state, reforestation staff encountered a wide range of herbicide prescriptions, with varying results. Often, staff encountered trees showing a high degree of stress, or even mortality, which appeared to be linked to the herbicide application.  The decision was made to test some herbicide treatments in our nursery to see how stock reacted to the chemical at various rates and application timings, under more controlled conditions than what is typically found on outplanted stock.  We selected Dupont Oust XP (Sulfometuron Methyl) as our test chemical, since it is the most widely used pre-emergent herbicide currently in use in Wisconsin.

Continue reading “Herbicide testing in nursery environment”