EP1135.02

Subproject Summary

Return to: Project Summary

Subproject:

A Comparison of Manual, Biological and Herbicide Treatments for Controlling Bigleaf Maple

Project Number:

EP1135.02

District(s):

South Island (Duncan)

Location:

Holt Creek

Project Leader(s):

Phil Comeau, B.C. Ministry of Forests, Research Branch, Victoria

Contact:

E-mail:	Phil.Comeau@gems2.gov.bc.ca
Phone:	(250) 387-3299

Introduction:

Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum Pursh.) is found on many productive sites in the Coastal Western Hemlock and Coastal Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zones of southeastern Vancouver Island and the lower mainland of B.C. After cutting, bigleaf maple stumps produce large numbers of sprouts that may grow as much as 3 meters in the first year. Where maple occurs at sufficient densities, it can be a serious competitor with conifer plantations.

Treatment of freshly cut hardwood stumps with cultures of the wood decay fungus Chondrostereum purpureum (Fr.) Pouzar shows promise for controlling resprouting of several hardwoods found in Eastern Canada. This fungus is indigenous to temperate forests around the world and can only invade a tree when viable spores come into contact with a fresh wound that exposes the sapwood or cambium. Consequently, risk of damage to non-target hardwoods or conifers is minimal.

RELEASE herbicide has proven to be very effective for control of bigleaf maple in Oregon and Washington. This herbicide can be applied to the lower portion of the shoots of target sprout clumps either as full strength formulation (thinline) or diluted in oil or kerosene. The application of full strength VISION herbicide to freshly cut bigleaf maple stumps can provide control of bigleaf maple in Washington and Oregon (Conard and Emmingham, 1984).

Objectives:

To compare and demonstrate the effectiveness of cutting, cutting with application of selected strains of Chondrostereum purpureum (a native fungal pathogen), cutting followed by application of VISIONŽ (glyphosate) herbicide, cutting followed by application of RELEASEŽ (triclopyr ester) herbicide, and basal stem application of RELEASEŽ herbicide.

Studies:

Main Study

References and Publications (Click on Highlighted References to Obtain an Electronic Copy in PDF Form):

Comeau, P.G.. 1996. Integrated Forest Vegetation Management: Options and Applications. In. Proc. fifth B.C. Forest Vegetation Management Workshop, Nov. 29 and 30, 1993, Richmond, B.C., P.G. Comeau, G.J. Harper, M.E. Blache, J.O. Boateng, and L.A. Gilkeson (editors). B.C. Min. For., Research Branch, Victoria, B.C., B.C. FRDA Report No. 251.

Comeau, P., Wall, R., Harper, G., and J. Boateng. 1992. A comparison of manual, biological, and herbicide treatments for controlling bigleaf maple. EP1135.02. Working Plan. B.C. Min. For., Research Branch, Victoria.

Conard, S.G. and W.H. Emmingham. 1984. Herbicides for clump and stem treatment of weed trees in Oregon and Washington. Oregon State Univ. Forest Research Lab. Special Publ. 9.

Wall, R.E. 1991. Pathological effects of Chondrostereum purpureum in inoculated yellow birch and beech. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 13:81-87.

Wall, R.E. 1990. The fungus Chondrostereum purpureum as a silvicide to control stump sprouting in hardwoods. Northern J. Appl. Forestry 7(1):17-19.

To obtain any publications that are not highlighted click here.

To Previous Subproject To Next Subproject