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Powerline herbicide
- Thread starter E_308
- Start date
Mennoniteman
Well-Known Member
There's so many good herbicide options available on the market for total burndown and probably no two powerline maintenance companies use the same thing, because doing a mix of different products saves money while getting the results required by their contract. Mixing their own generic products enable them to adjust the mix for a particular stretch of powerline.
While Agent Orange (equal parts of 2,4-D & 2,4,5-T) isn't on the market anymore due to highly toxic dioxin contamination, mixing 2,4-D to other herbicides saves money due to the cheaper cost of 2,4-D, such as Crossbow (2,4-D& Triclopyr). Enlist Duo and Imitator (2,4-D & Glyphosate) is also a cheaper mix that kills almost anything. Crossbow will work better on woody brush, while Enlist will work better where there's more grasses.
Arsenal is Imazethapyr, usually not the first choice for commercial powerline applications because it's a more expensive ingredient than 2,4-D, and glyphosate, and and doesn't tank mix well with some of the other herbicides.
Commercial companies are also using some Glufosinate (Liberty, Interline), a newer contact herbicide that's often tank mixed with glyphosate, while glyphosate is more effective on grass, glufosinate is more effective on annual broadleaf weeds. Triclopyr is still one of the best tree killers, so bigger woody brush will usually have more Triclopyr in the mix.
While Agent Orange (equal parts of 2,4-D & 2,4,5-T) isn't on the market anymore due to highly toxic dioxin contamination, mixing 2,4-D to other herbicides saves money due to the cheaper cost of 2,4-D, such as Crossbow (2,4-D& Triclopyr). Enlist Duo and Imitator (2,4-D & Glyphosate) is also a cheaper mix that kills almost anything. Crossbow will work better on woody brush, while Enlist will work better where there's more grasses.
Arsenal is Imazethapyr, usually not the first choice for commercial powerline applications because it's a more expensive ingredient than 2,4-D, and glyphosate, and and doesn't tank mix well with some of the other herbicides.
Commercial companies are also using some Glufosinate (Liberty, Interline), a newer contact herbicide that's often tank mixed with glyphosate, while glyphosate is more effective on grass, glufosinate is more effective on annual broadleaf weeds. Triclopyr is still one of the best tree killers, so bigger woody brush will usually have more Triclopyr in the mix.
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Mennoniteman
Well-Known Member
So right, thanks for the correction. Those two are very similar, but not quite
M. R. Byrd
Member
This thread brings back memories of my days with the power company in SE Kansas fifty years ago and controlling woody vegetation on our transmission line right-of-ways. Back then it was Tordon Beads. They really worked well in the right hands, but very dangerous in the wrong hands. One day, the general foreman for the contract tree crew, a coonass from Shreveport named Earl Lee walked into my office and proudly announced he had taken down Mrs. Smith's big prize walnut tree. Mrs. Smith had this huge walnut tree under our 12Kv 3 phase power line. Over many decades we were only able to trim tunnels around the phase wires of that giant tree. "Mister Byrd, I took down that big 'ol walnut tree of Mrs. Smith", announced Earl Lee. "How did you do that?", I asked. "Whys, it was dead, dead as a door nail and she wanted it down bad", he said. "Dead", I said, "it was plenty healthy that last time I saw it." "Oh, the Tordon got it.", Earl Lee replied. "Tordon?", I inquired. "Yessirr, I drive by real slow and tossed out a Dixie cup of Tordon", admitted Early. "Never, ever do that again!", was my response. I had already given notice at that time I was taking another job back in Dodge City, so never knew if the tree company suffered any repercussions from that ordeal. They should have for sure. At least Mrs. Smith wasn't mafia. In prior years the tree company had taken down some trees on rural property owned by a mafia connected person. The tree company ended up planting a very nice orchard that they maintained for the owners.
As always, read the directions and use properly.
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SE Kansas has had a mafia connection. I lived for a few years in Frontenac, known to be frequented by people such as Joey "Doves", Joseph John Aiuppa. A search will tell you all about his nickname. Some members on the Pheasant Hunting Forum were high school kids that were supplied with more shotgun shells when Joey made his rounds with his bodyguard/chauffeur in his Cadillac El Dorado picking up dove and "reloading" the guys to shoot more dove.
As always, read the directions and use properly.
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SE Kansas has had a mafia connection. I lived for a few years in Frontenac, known to be frequented by people such as Joey "Doves", Joseph John Aiuppa. A search will tell you all about his nickname. Some members on the Pheasant Hunting Forum were high school kids that were supplied with more shotgun shells when Joey made his rounds with his bodyguard/chauffeur in his Cadillac El Dorado picking up dove and "reloading" the guys to shoot more dove.
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George
Well-Known Member
I agree, good post. Not sure thou that it is the cost of imazapyr as to why it isn't used, imazapyr is probably the most cost effective chemical for killing trees. Triclopyr is not soil active, imazapyr is. More might be better with glyphosate or triclopyr but not with imazapyr, I try to keep track of about every drop of that stuff and I have had some colateral damage.
G
Mennoniteman
Well-Known Member
You're right George, Imazapyr is the most powerful chemical in the group that starts with the name Imaz. Here's a simple breakdown on this confusing family of herbicides (I have only ever used Imazethapyr):
Imazapyr, Imazethapyr, and Imazapic are all Imidazolinone herbicides in the same family. They all work by inhibiting the enzyme "acetolactate synthase".
Imazapyr kills more weeds than Imazethapyr and is more persistent (up to 2 yrs), used for pre- and post-emergent control of a broad range of weeds, including woody species and aquatic weeds. Imazapyr can persist in soil for extended periods, potentially harming nearby desirable plants. Imazapyr is generally considered to be relatively safe for fish, so it is often used for aquatic treatment. Imazapyr is not safe for legumes. Imazapyr is considered a high leaching hazard after terrestrial applications, moving along with water. Trade names include Arsenal, Chopper, Stalker, TVC Total Vegetation Control, Assault, and Habitat.
Imazethapyr is less persistent (up to 1 yr) and is also used for pre- and post-emergent weed control, often in soybeans and other legumes. Imazethapyr is safe for legumes. Imazethapyr also has a high leaching hazard. Trade names include Thunder, Pursuit, Hammer, Overtop, Passport, Pivot, Resolve, Contour, Praxis, Pemex, Zepher Max, Cheetah, and Willowood.
Imazapic is more persistent in soil than imazethapyr. Imazapic is primarily used for controlling grasses and broadleaf weeds in wildlife areas, pastures, and rangeland. There are Imazapic herbicide tolerant native wildflower mixes available that make Imazapic popular for prairie restorations. Imazapic is considered an environmental hazard due to its potential harm to aquatic life. Trade names are Plateau, Panoramic, Propose, and Cadre.
E_308
Well-Known Member
I have eyed the Spike 20 pellets before but have never tried them. I have a hillside of fairly big autumn olive that I am looking to kill. The only other trees would be the occasional honey locust. It would be a lot of belly crawling to basal spray or cut. If I can kill them then I could run fire through it. MDC conservationist is supposed to be getting me a drone sprayer contact.
