By Eoghan McCloskey
Herbicides like dicamba, when used properly, can certainly be an effective and potent weapon in the battle against unwanted vegetation. Herbicides can, however, also carry with them some unintended consequences. If used improperly, herbicides can damage or even kill plants that you wish to keep alive. It is only wise, if you are planning to use herbicides, to learn the possible harmful effects of herbicide chemicals before you use them.
1. Dicamba
Dicamba is a chemical compound used as an active ingredient in commercial herbicides. A benzoic acid derivative, dicamba is a selective herbicide, meaning it is designed to kill select species of unwanted plants and leave other species intact, as opposed to non-selective herbicides that kill all the vegetation to which they are applied. Dicamba is sold alone as an herbicide or sometimes as an herbicidal addition to fertilizers for pre-emergent weed control in laws.
2. Dicamba and Birch Trees
Birch trees, along with apple, arborvitae, aspen/cottonwood, basswood, catalpa, sweet gum, hackberry, hawthorn, juniper, lilac, black locust, honey locust, pin and white oaks, redbud, serviceberry, sycamore, tuliptree, walnut and yew trees, are highly sensitive to Dicamba, and those with birch trees in their lawns should think twice before using dicamba to control weeds or any other vegetation. Minor exposure to dicamba in these trees causes leaf distortion, chlorosis and scorch, while trees exposed to higher amounts will defoliate completely and rapidly. If the tree is continually exposed to dicamba, defoliation will continue every year and the tree could eventually die.
3. Avoiding Damage to Birch Trees
The easiest way to avoid unintended damage to your birch trees is to not use any herbicides at all and instead investigate alternative control methods, such as pulling the weeds up by hand. If an herbicide must be used, use one with a different chemical ingredient in order to protect you birches. If you are installing a new lawn, check fertilizer labeling carefully to see if the fertilizer contains dicamba as a pre-emergent weed control ingredient. If there are no other herbicides available for you to use, only use dicamba as far away from your birches as is possible.
4. Other Considerations
In addition to the trees mentioned, dicamba can also have toxic effects on broadleaf trees, coniferous trees, aquatic plants and some species of cactus. Citing scholarly research, the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service also concludes that dicamba is moderately persistent in soil and may be slightly toxic to some fish and wildlife. All of these potential risks highlight the importance of exhausting non-chemical weed control options before considering using dicamba or any other herbicide.
没有评论:
发表评论