Chemical Control of Brush Regrowth on Fuel-Breaks
| Authors: | Timothy R. Plumb, Jay R. Bentley, Verdie E. White |
| Year: | 1963 |
| Type: | Other |
| Station: | Pacific Southwest Research Station |
| Source: | Fuel-Break Report No. 11. Berkeley, Calif.: Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 43 p. |
Abstract
Without effective, economic techniques to control regrowth of brush, permanent modification of large areas of chaparral to a stable cover of low fuel volume is virtually impossible. The aggressive reestablishment of most brush species after top removal will soon cancel out any value of an initial clearing operation. In 2 years, regrowth may attain a height of several feet. Grass or other cover being established for soil protection is rapidly crowded out. Practically all of the brush plants--except those left for esthetic purposes--must be eliminated. If they are not, reclearing is necessary every 2 to 5 years.
The difficulty of controlling brush regrowth is well known to anyone engaged in type-conversion work, hazard reduction, or fuel-break construction. Removal by hand or machine is inadequate to maintain satisfactory control, even on narrow firebreaks, let alone the usual fuel -break areas.
In recent years herbicides have become an important tool in the control of undesirable brush and tree regrowth. This report describes the use of herbicides to control brush sprouts and seedlings on fuel-breaks in southern California. Included are: (1) a general description of chemical control techniques; (2) a summary of current spray recommendations for specific plant control problems; and (3) an appendix containing useful tables.