Seasonal effects on mortality rates and resprouting of stems treated with glyphosate in the invasive tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima(Mill.) Swingle)

Abstract

(2015) Seasonal effects on mortality rates and resprouting of stems treated with glyphosate in the invasive tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle), Arboricultural Journal, 37:3,[180][181][182][183][184][185][186][187][188][189][190][191][192][193][194][195] To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03071375.2015.1112163 Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is regarded as invasive within urban and natural areas worldwide. Efficient methods to control it are significantly needed if we are to limit its well-known environmental and economic impacts. Up to now the use of herbicides has proven necessary since following mechanical damage, Ailanthus vigorously resprouts. However, the seasonal response of Ailanthus stems, treated with herbicides, has never been assessed. We compared the control efficacy recorded in autumn, winter and summer in an abandoned suburban citrus grove in Sicily, under Mediterranean-climate conditions. Glyphosate was injected within drill holes made in knee-high cut trees. Tree mortality and the resprouting ability of treated stems were significantly affected by the application timing and by diameter class of stems. Mortality was significantly lower in winter treatments within the smaller diameter class. Within the larger diameter class, only autumn treatments showed a notably higher mortality rate and a significantly lower growth of sprouts. Hence, autumn interventions are strongly recommended to effectively treat Ailanthus. Mortality was notably higher in the smaller diameter class. Our results confirm the importance of early intervention to control Ailanthus, also showing that the choice of the season is crucial to obtaining satisfactory control of its resprouting ability.

Survival and regeneration ability of clonal common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) after a single herbicide treatment in natural open sand grasslands

“…Zalai et al [78] reported that resprouting only becomes stronger in such cases. Badalamenti et al [16] found a similar effect in a study on Ailanthus altissima. The most likely explanation is that dormant bud banks are activated in the absence of apical inhibition.…”

“…In the case of established invasive species, the most successful options are eradication or isolation [8][9][10][11][12][13]. Herbicide treatment is one of the most effective ways to control or eradicate invasive plants in large areas [10,[14][15][16][17][18][19]. Nevertheless, the prevention and control measures of invasive species with chemicals are rather arguable whereas their use endangers other species and the ecology and abiotic elements (above and below ground waters, soil and air) in protected areas [18,20,21].…”

“…Nevertheless, the prevention and control measures of invasive species with chemicals are rather arguable whereas their use endangers other species and the ecology and abiotic elements (above and below ground waters, soil and air) in protected areas [18,20,21]. Consequently, herbicides have to be carefully chosen (dosage, types and combination) based on the native species community [16,19,20]. Therefore, the herbicide application must be well planned and localized, the applied chemicals should be safe and effective.…”

Control of Ailanthus altissima using cut stump and basal bark herbicide applications in an eighteenth‐century fortress

“…Thus, our study suggests that, in order to completely eradicate A. altissima, it is necessary to repeat summer treatments with effective herbicides every two years at least. (Meloche and Murphy, 2006;Constán-Nava et al, 2010;Badalamenti et al, 2015).…”

Survival and regeneration ability of clonal common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) after a single herbicide treatment in natural open sand grasslands

“…Nevertheless, herbicide application of invasive species are rather arguable as their application negatively influence the growth of native species, composition of the species and abiotic factors (quality of the above and below ground water supply, soil and air) in protected areas 18 , 20 , 21 . Consequently, herbicides have to be carefully chosen (dosage, types and combination) based on the native species community 16 , 19 , 20 . Therefore, the herbicide application must be well planned and localized, the applied chemicals should be safe and effective.…”