Hi Gwyn,

I wanted to follow up with you regarding the Holly infestation on your property. During my site visit we discussed using a weed wrench to control the holly. We actually have four loaner weed wrenches here at the Conservation District that are available for public use. So if you are interested in giving them a try please feel free to contact me. We have three different sizes, so you and your husband might want try a few sizes to see how well you like them. I have attached a flier with additional information, in case you are interested.

As for control methods, I recommend pulling the holly if at all possible. This can be very effective particularly on smaller plants. Again the weed wrench will help greatly in this undertaking.

For larger, well established individuals it has been recommended by Glenn Miller of the Oregon Department of Agriculture that you use a cut and wipe method. This involves cutting the holly and wiping the stump with Garlon 4 ( Triclopyr ester), or Round Up (Glyphosate).

Since you and your husband have been mowing for several years, the majority of the growth at your site is composed of suckering regrowth. Unfortunately, this type of growth reduces the translocation rates of herbicide back into the holly roots. Therefore, at your site I recommend use the weed wrenches whenever possible, but for large suckering clumps, I would let the holly grow for a full season and then attempt the cut and wipe method of control.

Remember this is going to be an ongoing process, and unfortunately at your site it is going to consist of continued maintenance even after eradication. So please try to not to get discouraged.

In the meantime, I'll continue to do as much as I can to help on my end. All the best,


Sam

Samuel Leininger
May 22, 2009, 2:49 a.m.