Pre-Cutting (before the first chemical treatment) My biggest mistake in 10 years of Phragmites Control

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1 Pre-Cutting, Multi-treatments and Project Scale July 2015 The initial problem By Bob Williams Phragmites.org 2 The later problem The Solution Maximum control before native plants begin to regenerate. 3 Phragmites.org 4 My biggest mistake in 10 years of Phragmites Control Not pre-cutting before the first season of treatment Pre-Cutting (before the first chemical treatment) Gets dead material out of the way for more effective use of chemicals. Results in easier access during spraying. Results in shorter stand to spray. Phragmites.org 5 6 Phragmites.org 1

2 Not Pre-Cut Winter Pre-Cut 7 8 Pre-Cutting Important to use on old dense stands. Not needed for new, sparse or small stands. Pre-cutting needed 9 Phragmites.org 10 Pre-cutting not needed Phragmites.org 11 Pre-cutting probably not needed Phragmites.org 12 Phragmites.org 2

3 Pre-cutting probably not needed Phragmites.org 13 Pre-cutting probably not needed Phragmites.org 14 My second biggest mistake in 10 years of Phragmites Control Not applying multiple treatments in the first year Retreatment The maximum herbicide quantities to be used that are given on the label are per treatment State of Michigan DEQ permits state that there shall be a minimum of 24 hours between treatments. I have obtained the best results by mixing the herbicide at a lower a.i. rate and retreating at two week intervals any remaining green phragmites. Not retreating the surviving phragmites is like not taking all of your antibiotic prescription. The strong ones survive to spread next year. Phragmites.org 15 Phragmites.org 16 Samples of Phragmites Needing Retreatment Samples of Phragmites Needing Retreatment Phragmites.org 17 Phragmites.org 18 Phragmites.org 3

4 Samples of Phragmites Needing Retreatment Samples of Phragmites Needing Retreatment Phragmites.org 19 Phragmites.org 20 The WIPEOUT program Williams Invasive Phragmites Eradication OUTline June 7 first cutting Maximum control Short term Labor intensive Pre-cutting Multiple spray treatments with lower A.I. Phragmites.org June 7 June 21 2 weeks regrowth Phragmites.org 4

5 July 12 5 weeks regrowth July 12 5 weeks, recut right side Aug. 17 Sept. 1 first spray day Sept. 6 Sept Resprayed Phragmites.org 5

6 Sept. 24 Touch up Sprayed The following May 24th The following July The WIPEOUT program Williams Invasive Phragmites Eradication OUTline Prior to June Pre-cut August 15 - treat September 1, 15 & 30 retreat any green phragmites October 15 Post-cut 35 Phragmites.org 36 Phragmites.org 6

7 Mixing one gallon of low volume mix under the WIPEOUT program Start with about 3/4 of the water (96 oz.) If using a water conditioner add ½ oz. per gallon here mix it Add Herbicide 53.8% Glyphosate (1 oz.=0.42% A.I.) mix it Add Surfactant - Cygnet Plus (1/2 oz.) mix it Top it off with water to 128 oz. total mix it Optionally add Dye Cygnet Select (1/6 oz.) mix it The maximum application rate of 6 pints of glyphosate per acre would be comparable to spraying 450 square feet (about 21 x 21 area) with one gallon of the above mix Phragmites.org 37 Advantages of using the WIPE-OUT program on large scale projects Quickly create a demonstration area for the public. Reduce the total amount of chemical placed into the environment by using a lower a.i. Reduce or eliminate the use of Imazapyr. Reduce damage to native plants during treatments. Faster restoration of native ecosystem. More complete control during the funding period. Less follow-up and hand treating needed. More time to move on to another project. 38 Cut and Treat Phragmites Starter kit Rapid response is most cost effective, uses less herbicide Small infestations, follow up treatment Swipe leaves or Cut & treat with herbicide in August-September No surfactant Repeat annually for 2 to 3 years Need a permit from MDEQ if the phragmites are in standing water when treated Chemical resistant plastic bottle with drop top Dye Gloves labels Instructions Glyphosate Elizabeth Wagner Cut and treat phragmites Community Based Phragmites Control Programs Need to be designed for the Scale of the problem Local need, concerns and interest Participant success and gratification Visible results Sustainability Scale based procedures and methods 42 Phragmites.org 7

8 Goals Project Scale Approach or attitude Funding Labor Herbicides available for use Herbicide treatment period available Chemical methods used and equipment available Cutting period available Cutting methods used and equipment available Flooding methods Removal of biomass Challenges to treatment success Challenges to public program success Small scale advantages Lower costs due to the size of the property or infestation. Lower costs due to the use of volunteer labor and use of small scale equipment. Quicker results if they choose to do multiple treatments per year. More effective chemical treatment if they choose to pre-cut before treatment. Non-chemical and cut-and-dab options are available. Obtaining more complete control due to constant vigilance. More sustainable treatments because of continued funding References Blog Phragmites.org 45 Phragmites.org 8