I’m far from a subject matter expert but I thought I would share a few methods that have been successful for me, in hope that it can help shorten your learning curve on dealing with invasives if you’re just getting started. I have tried many methods and herbicides over the years but I have narrowed my approach now to (3) main methods and utilize herbicides that contains over 40% Glyphosate. I have not tried Garlon 4 but I have heard that success rates can be even higher than Glyphosate, for the price and availability, Glyphosate works well for me.
I have had my best success, this time of the year when plants are storing energy for dormancy- the herbicide take up seems to work better in late fall. I focus on Buckthorn and Honeysuckle; Buckthorn receives the priority if I’m short on time because it has no nutritional value and becomes a diuretic if browsed by deer. Buckthorn also is supposedly a winter host plant for soybean aphids- although you see it in every fence row in farm country.
I’m doing larger scale projects so I invested in good equipment- any sprayer, squirt bottle of axe/machete can achieve the same results. If you have trouble identifying invasives, start by looking in your area for the last thing that’s has foliage after all the leaves are gone and the first thing that has foliage in the spring.
Method #1 Foliar Spraying If I have immature buckthorn/honeysuckle with shoot sizes, pencil diameter to a quarter size- I Foliar spray directly on the leaves with a concentration mix of about 3oz. of herbicide to 1 gallon of water. I use a backpack sprayer for this application.
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2022/10/full-28801-154977-img_1463_2.jpg)
In this picture you can see last years dead honeysuckle that was foliar sprayed and new shoots that need spraying and attention now.
Method #2 Cut StumpFor everything roughly, a quarter diameter and larger, I’ll cut off completely close to ground level and spray with 100% herbicide. Spraying immediately after the cut seems to be the key- I have read you should do it within an hour of cutting.
Method #3 Hack & SquirtOnce you’re over a quarter diameter in size and beyond you can be into 16’ to 20’ trees especially with buckthorn, I worry about herbicide drift when I’m spraying that high and dropping brush with cut stump techniques on the understory covers plants that need spraying and is a hassle. I make two incisions about 1/3 to ½ way in and squirt with 100% herbicide.
I usually wait at least two full growing seasons and return with my clearing saw if plan to replant that area with more desirable plants.
Good Luck