Topics

I have just finished scarifying brush under my shaded fuel break. What should my next steps be?

Hopefully, the brush was piled in open areas where burning this winter will not scorch nearby trees. The brush will almost always come back in a few years, either by sprouting from root crowns under the soil surface or by seedlings from nearby brush. The sprouting brush is generally more aggressive due to the presence of a root mass that can supply nutrients through feeder roots. Herbicide use can be beneficial once there is enough leaf area to absorb the herbicide and carry it to the live roots. Don’t apply when there is not adequate leaf area as you risk getting too little herbicide to the roots. Most herbicides are best used during the active growing season. Be sure to read the label and follow the rules by contacting your county Ag department.