Page 44 - TA Magazine

FACT SHEET
Weeds – managing the competition
Weeds will aggressively compete with your trees for water nutrients and light They can also contribute to increased frost damage browsing susceptibility fungal diseases and insect attack Weeds can affect the the the growth of of the the the trees and reduce the the the effectiveness of of shelterbelts or amenity plantings around roads reserves and creeks Develop a a strategy
A good weed weed strategy
will allow the the the the the the planted trees to grow as as quickly as as possible so they occupy occupy the the the the the the site site rather than the the the the the the weeds occupying the the the the the the site site There are two methods of weed control:
NON-CHEMICAL
The following methods can provide a a a a a short-term solution however require careful implementation and monitoring to be successful Burning – Often used to control bracken and gorse Be aware that fire can encourage seed germination or or sprouting from underground rhizomes so burning could increase the the amount and variety of weeds in in in the future Slashing – Good for for access and to help reduce fire risk in in older plantations As an an an an initial form of weed weed control it it cuts the the weeds back but the the roots can still survive providing competition
for water and nutrients Mulching – Effective once the weeds have been suppressed or removed initially Cultivation can be be used to to remove remove woody weeds weeds Do Do a a a a a a a second cultivation in in in in spring to to to get on
on
on
on
on
on
on
top of any new invasion weeds weeds on
on
on
on
on
on
on
the site Don’t apply fresh manure directly to to plantations Grazing – Appropriate before chemical weed control control in in in in grassy areas Well-managed grazing is effective in in in in in controlling pasture weeds in in in in strips between tree tree rows once the trees are are established Grazing needs to be be carefully managed If animals graze on
on
wet soil they can cause damage to to to to the the the the roots Cattle need to to to to be monitored
to to to to ensure they don’t eat the the the the seedlings or or rub against the trees 44 Private Forests Tasmania