Winter is time to attack multiflora rose
CHICAGO - The winter months,
offer farmers the best opportunity
to control multiflora rose, a fast
spreading woody briar that is a
noxious weld problem in Mid
western and Northeastern states.
Treating dormant multiflora
rose bushes in January, February
or March provides excellent
control and virtually eliminates
chances of any potential drift
problems on susceptible crops.
"This is also the time of year
when farmers are less pressured
by crops, so they can afford to
spend some time planning and
treating,” says Charles B. Sperow,
Jr., Extension Agronomist at West
Virginia University.
A new label, recently approved
by the Environmental Protection
Agency, allows farmers to make
dormant applications of Banvel
herbicide January through April.
The Banvel dormant applications
are economical, easy to apply and
offer consistent control.
Widespread problem
The multiflora rose bush was
promoted by USDA in the 1930’s to
control erosion and provide
wildlife cover. It soon took over
hilly pasture land in many areas as
birds spread seeds.
States that have identified
multiflora rose as a serious
problem include: West Virginia,
Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New
York, Kentucky, Missouri, lowa,
Indiana and Wisconsin. Many
other states also have infestations
of the bushes. Some states have
had to declare multiflora rose a
noxious weed and landowners are
now required by law to control the
bush.
Chemicals have proven to be the
only way to effectively treat
multiflora rose, according to Dr.
Hale Fletchall, Professor of
Agronomy, University of Missouri.
"Multiflora rose has been a severe
weed problem that’s been in
creasing in Missouri for 30 years.
It’s most severe in pastures and
wastelands," he notes.
There are currently three
methods of chemical control:
dormant applications such as spot
concentrate and 10-oil basal bark,
summer treatments with pellets
and foliar applications made while
the plants are actively growning.
West Virginia’s Sperow says
there are several treatments for
multiflora rose. At this time of the
year, he suggests winter pasture
treatment by spot concentrate
applications directly on the bare
ground around the base of scat
tered bashes. Banvel is the only
product that can be applied while
plants are dormant. “Dormant
applications of Banvel work well,”
he says.
Follow up treatments require a
fraction (5-10 percent) of the
chemical used in the intial
treatment and should be done with
10-oil basal bark treatments for
best results, says Sperow.
"The first treatment is the most
expensive, and the follow ups are
the most important,” this
agronomist says. He gives this
example: growers who purchase 5
gallons in year one for initial
treatment should purchase 5
gallons the following year, using x k
gallon for retreatment and 4%
gallons for initial treatment of
another pasture.
Dormant applications
To prevent dormant plants from
growing in the spring, use spot
concentrate application where
bushes are scattered. The
following year, a 10-oil basal bark
treatment or another spot con
centrate application will eliminate
any plants that escaped the first
treatment.
Since spot concentrate ap
plications require no mixing,
metered spray guns can be at
tached directly to Banvel con
tainers to ensure accurate dosage.
Spray Banvel directly on the soil
within 6 to 8 inches of the plant
crown. On sloping terrain, place
the Banvel uphill from the crown.
Banvel is absorbed by the roots
and translocated through the
entire plant for complete kill.
The second dormant application,
10-oil basal bark, is suitable when a
large infestation is present, for
example, a hedgerow. In this in
stance, use Banvel herbicide with
water, oil and an emulsifier in a
backpack sprayer or 55 gallon tank
sprayer.
Spray the basal stem region 18 to
20 inches above the ground, being
sure to throughly wet the entire
crown for good control. The 10-oil
basal bark method requires 30
gallons of solution to treat one acre
and is also effective as a follow up
treatment.
Where a dense infestation oc
curs, a foliar treatment brings
bushes under control. Make foliar
applications May through August
while plants are actively growing.
Wet the leaves, stems and crowns
thoroughly until run-off occurs.
This treatment requires 200
gallons of solution (herbicide,
water and surfactant) per acre.
Dead bushes are best left in
fields for cattle to break down as
they graze grass which begins to
grow under bushes. “Dead bushes
also make follow up treatment
locations easy to identify,” ex
plains Sperow.
“February and March offer the
best weather for treatments of
scattered multiflora rose bushes,”
Lancaster Fanning Saturday December 15,1984-09
he notes. It takes more than
scattered treatment to control the
weed, however. “The larmers who
successfully control multiflora
rose have a consistent treatment
plan set forth for at least 3 years,”
Sperow says.
One herbicide application won’t
control it. Retreatment is a must,
Sperow stresses. “Multiflora rose
is here forever. It’s a problem that
rnmiroc ~ ~ ~ ~
Dormant Muitiflora rose bush
Canopy
Canopy diameter ►
Spot concentrate applications are made directly on the
bare ground around the base of scattered bushes.
The entire crown is covered with spray solution 18 to
20 inches above the ground in a 10-oil basal bark
application.
Planning a complete treatment
program is the first, and most
important step in control,” he
says.
An illustrated brochure callei
“Control of Multiflora rose”
details application methods and
rates. It is available free of charge
by writing to Velsicol Chemical
Corporation, 341 E. Ohio St.,
Chicago, 11., 60611.