Competition between from weeds for resources such as water, nutrients and light is probably the single most important factor preventing successful survival and growth of young trees. Such competition can be particularly problematic on more fertile sites.
The impact of weed competition on growth rate is demonstrated by the images below showing 4 year old cherry trees with and without effective weeding.
Although the need to control competing vegetation is widely recognised, achieving successful, cost-effective weed control among small, vulnerable tree seedlings is not always straightforward.
Work in this programme is therefore focussed on addressing specific weed control problems in new planting, restocking and natural regeneration situations through replicated field experiments. Changes in legislation, commercial withdrawal of herbicide products, herbicide resistance, climate change and the spread of invasive alien and native weeds all make further work in this area vital..
Publications and guidance
The expertise built up in this area over a number of years enables Forest Research to offer free, expert, unbiased, advice on specific weed problems throughout Britain. Comprehensive guidance on the use of herbicides in different situations has been produced.
Forestry Commission publications
- Herbicide Update (Technical Paper 28)
- Herbicides for Farm Woodlands and Short Rotation Coppice (Field Book 14)
- Trees and Weeds - Weed Control for Successful Tree Establishment (Handbook 2)
- Use of Herbicides in the Forest (Field Book 8)
- Weed Control in Christmas Tree Plantations (Field Book 15)
Herbicide Advisor
This is a technology demonstrator for a web based expert system to assist with the identification of suitable herbicides. It has been developed in conjunction with the Canadian Forest Service.
Further information about Herbicide Advisor
Pesticide information
Pages on the main Forestry Commission web site give a wide range of useful information on pesticides, in an easy to access format.
Summaries from selected scientific papers
- An investigation into the relative efficacy of herbicides for the control of Deschampsia flexuosa (L.) Trin. in woodland establishment
- The tolerance of young trees to applications of clopyralid alone and in mixture with foliar-acting herbicides
- A web-based expert system for advising on herbicide use in Great Britain
The above also list the respective practical implications. See also:
- Forestry Commission publications on vegetation management for further practical guidance
- Other scientific publications on vegetation management for a complete list of relevant publications.
