Why You Should Be Very Careful When Using Herbicides

Like most homeowners, you probably use weedkillerplant? 30 feet is the recommended distance.
around the house. Be very careful where you spray it,Glyphosate products should be used as a last resort
and how much you use.for combating weeds. Pre-emergent herbicides are a
Heidi Kratsch, a Utah State University Extensionbetter alternative, but need to be used prior to a weed
ornamental horticulture specialist, says that appliedseeds germination. According to Kratsch and Salt
incorrectly or in too high of a dose, glyphosateLake County Extension horticulturist, Maggie Shao, the
products like Roundup can cause a condition called splitfollowing woody plants are most susceptible to
bark in woody ornamentals and other woody plants.glyphosate:
When sprayed too close to non targeted plants, the* Pyrus species (especially Callery Pear)
tree or woody plant absorbs the chemical through it's* Prunus species (especially Yoshino Cherry and
roots, the chemical breaks down the bark structureKwanzan Cherry)
and destroys the winter hardiness of the plant. This* Red Maple
causes freeze/thaw damage, which in turn can cause* Norway Maple (especially 'Emerald Queen')
sunscald. The cosmetic damage is bad enough, but for* Japanese Maple (especially var. dissectum)
nursery owners, this makes the plant unsalable.* Paperbark Maple
The news is not all bad. It is not the glyphosate itself* Mountain-Ash
that causes the damage, but the surfactant, or wetting* Serviceberry
agent, in some products. The surfactant helps spread* Sycamore
the chemical and help the chemical cling to the* Crabapple
targeted plants leaves so the glyphosate can be* Dogwood (especially Kousa dogwood)
absorbed. Read the label when you purchase a weed* Hawthorn
killing product. On the label, look for the words* Magnolia (especially 'Butterflies,' 'Elizabeth,' 'Sawada's
"adjuvant load", this is the surfactant. The followingCream,' 'Yellow Bird' and 'Yellow Lantern')
products do not contain a surfactant: Campaign, FallowAll herbicides have risks, but used correctly, can be a
Star, Glypro, Landmaster BW, Rodeo and Roundupgreat tool in a gardener's arsenal to control those
Custom,however, proper use is still needed. What is anasty weeds.
safe distance to spray glyphosate from a woody