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Abstract
Chinese privet (
Ligustrum sinense) is an aggressive, nonnative shrub of the Southeastern United States. Its evergreen leaves allow for herbicide treatment in the dormant season when the impact to native species can be minimized. The purpose of this study was to determine which combination of chemical herbicide (glyphosate, metsulfuron, or a mixture of both) and application method (backpack sprayer or mistblower) applied during the dormant season would result in the greatest control of Chinese privet with minimal nontarget impacts. Study results suggest that herbicide, regardless of the chemical formulation, will kill more than 50 percent of the basal area of Chinese privet. However, glyphosate did impact native species that remained green and resulted in an increase in Japanese stiltgrass (
Microstegium vimineum). Mistblowers were more effective at controlling Chinese privet than backpack sprayers regardless of herbicide. Although no differences in native species richness were found between the method of application, mistblowers also had fewer impacts on native flora, including tree and shrub reproduction, than backpack sprayers. Mistblowers are not commonly used for controlling invasive shrubs; however, their utility for controlling large and tall shrub infestations should be considered.
Parent Publication
Citation
Vaughn, Karen; Pile Knapp, Lauren S.; Wang, G. Geoff. 2024. Evaluating Dormant-Season Herbicide Applications for the Control of Chinese Privet (
Ligustrum sinense). In: Bragg, Don C.; Oswald, Brian P.; Koerth, Nancy E., eds. Proceedings of the 22nd biennial southern silvicultural research conference. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-274. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station: 221–230. https://doi.org/10.2737/SRS-GTR-274-Pap36.
