tree seedlings in turf [Archive] - LawnSite.com™ - Lawn Care & Landscaping Business Forum

americanlawn

04-28-2010, 08:05 PM

ISU recommends to avoid blanket spraying a herbicide just to get rid of tree seedlings in lawns. Reasons:

1) Regular mowing combined with increased temperatures will do the job.

2) New tree seedlings will appear after you kill the ones you see.

3) Most broadleaf herbicides are restricted to just 2 blanket sprays per year.

4) Turf herbicides do not offer 100% control of "woody plants".

Question, Anybody know of a good "fact sheet" that tells homeowners this?

What are your thoughts? thanks, rscvp

phasthound

04-28-2010, 08:38 PM

ISU recommends to avoid blanket spraying a herbicide just to get rid of tree seedlings in lawns. Reasons:

1) Regular mowing combined with increased temperatures will do the job.

2) New tree seedlings will appear after you kill the ones you see.

3) Most broadleaf herbicides are restricted to just 2 blanket sprays per year.

4) Turf herbicides do not offer 100% control of "woody plants".

Question, Anybody know of a good "fact sheet" that tells homeowners this?

What are your thoughts? thanks, rscvp

Larry, it looks like you got all the facts right there. Just use the ISU recommendations. That should be good enough for your clients. Most people aren't stupid. :)

EquityGreen

04-28-2010, 08:52 PM

I've noticed alot more this year to. Why is that? Obv good weed control will take care of it, but wont the weed control kill the seedlings as well? I'll find out next time I fert some of my properties.

phasthound

04-28-2010, 09:08 PM

I've noticed alot more this year to. Why is that? Obv good weed control will take care of it, but wont the weed control kill the seedlings as well? I'll find out next time I fert some of my properties.

Tree seedlings will not survive regular mowing, and a thick turf will prevent many weed seeds from germinating. Why apply pesticides needlessly?

EquityGreen

04-28-2010, 09:12 PM

Tree seedlings will not survive regular mowing, and a thick turf will prevent many weed seeds from germinating. Why apply pesticides needlessly?

I wasnt spraying needless pesticides. There were weeds obv. Not all lawns are thick, lush, and healthy...

I only spray when I need to, we've damaged the environment enough. No need to damage it more and use pointless weed control...

americanlawn

04-28-2010, 09:28 PM

Thanks Barry -- BTW your fert is doing a fine job on our lawns.

Problem I have are the customers who drive swanky new vehicles (Lexus, BMW's, etc) and live in "high end" homes. They compete with their neighbors and expect a weed-free lawn, but when I give them the "disappointing news" regarding tree seedlings, they don't like what they hear.

We're just now seeing the beginning of tree seedlings in turf here, and I know this problem will persist for another couple months. (It's always something) I just hate to spend hours upon hours with spraying an ester herbicide on these service calls when Mother Nature will eventually take care of the problem. Tough deal.

I searched for some kind of "fact sheet", but I never found one I liked. All I have to go on is the 'word-of-mouth' from my friends at our land grant University. I wish Iowa State, Penn State, Ohio State, or somebody would address this issue with some sort of fact sheet that I could provide to customers. So far, this issue has fallen "between the cracks". :hammerhead:

SeedPro

04-28-2010, 09:32 PM

Just spray the GD things and leave an invoice.

Holy smokes.

Whitey4

04-28-2010, 09:35 PM

I've seen a marked increase in maple seedlings this year... have no clue why, but my treatment is mow 'em. We've had dandy's and clover early tho, so my spring weed sparying is early too, and in the process, the little maples got smoked too.

grassman177

04-28-2010, 10:36 PM

if you dont spray it someone else will , you know that larry so i comes down to how strong your principles are . the tree seedlings in my own lawn can get so thick they actually choke out the turf if i dont spray( the turf is pretty thick, but it is in the shade so weaker and the seedlings are tough from a pin oak) i tried to no and literally lost turf from not doing so. just my tow cents worth

phasthound

04-28-2010, 11:25 PM

I've seen a marked increase in maple seedlings this year... have no clue why, but my treatment is mow 'em. We've had dandy's and clover early tho, so my spring weed sparying is early too, and in the process, the little maples got smoked too.

Everything is out of whack around here this spring.

grassman177

04-29-2010, 07:59 AM

it is out of whack phasthound, i can see it clearly and feel it(highest pollen count on record here). the wind is fierce thsi morning at 7 am, wow as i look out the window. wonder if trugreen will be out today!

CHARLES CUE

04-29-2010, 09:27 PM

I seen a yard like this today. little trees growing around and ornamental tree that owners planted, How about trees that don't have seeds [hybrid's] to plant in your yard. but the first thing i seen was the 3 dandelions next the posted sign.
Charles Cue