Hoffman, Garlyn O.

Texas A&M University

1.-753
CONTROL OF BACCHARIS
Garlyn O. Hoffman
Extension Range Brush and Weed Control Specialist
Texas A&M University
Landowners often ask the question, how do I
control desert willow, dryland willow, Roosevelt
willow, seep willow, black willow? The problem
has many names and is common to landowners
with baccharis, a plant that resembles willow bat
grows on upland soils.
Nine species of baccharis grow in Texas. These
belong to the composite family, the most common
of which are eastern, narrowleaf, prairie, willow
and wright. Another specie, yerba-depasmo, is
poisonous. In fact, all baccharis species may be
considered potentially poisonous.
The baccharis plant group consists of native,
warm season, shrubby, shallow rooted perennials
with poor grazing qualities. The plants are dioe-
cious, since the male and female flowers grow on
different plants. Whitish to yellow flower heads
appear showy in the fall. Baccharis plants retain
their leaves well into the winter. Baccharis grows
on most all soils. Heaviest infestations occur in
the blacklands, following mechanical brush control
methods, abandoned cultivated fields and valley
range sites. Baccharis seems to have increased and
invaded many acres of rangelands in recent years.
If a control program is not started, baccharis could
become a severe problem in a few years on certain
range sites.
Baccharis, if not controlled, will become a dense,
thick stand, rendering the area unfit for grazing.
It can be controlled by one or a combination of
chemical and mechanical methods:
MECHANICAL CONTROL
Plowing with a disc or moldboard plow provides
excellent control. Seed the area to a high pro-
ducing forage grass.
Shredding is effective in removing the tops of
mature plants. Plants that resprout can be con-
trolled with herbicides, provided the baccharis
infestation is not growing near susceptible crops.
36.1
Tree grubbing scattered plants with a tree grub-
ber mounted on a farm tractor gives effective
control. Hand grubbing provides effective control
for seedling baccharis.
HERBICIDAL CONTROL
Individual Plant Treatment
Foliage wetting spray applied with power sprayer
or knapsack hand sprayer, using 3 pounds 2,4-D
low volatile ester mixed in 100 gallons of water
plus 8 ounces wetting agent produces satisfactory
plant kill. Use 40 pounds of pressure with the
hand sprayer and about 100 pounds of pressure
with the power sprayer handgun equipped with
a No.4 orifice. Wet thoroughly the entire foliage,
stems and trunks with the herbicide solution.
Apply during the growing season when there is
sufficient soil moisture to produce luxurious plant
growth. Spring treatments produce the highest
degree of plant kill. Apply when the wind is less
than ,10 miles per hour to insure better spray
coverage and less danger of downwind drift. The
herbicide mixture costs about $3.75 per 100 gallons.
This amount treats 100 or more 6-foot plants.
Basal Spray
Use 2,4-D low volatile ester mixed at the rate
of 8 pounds per 100 gallons of diesel oil. Cost of
the chemical solution is about 21 cents per gallon.
Use on baccharis growing in areas where susceptible
crops are not affected.
Use 2,4, 5-T low volatile ester mixed at the rate
of 8 pounds per 100 gallons of diesel oil. Cost of
this chemical solution is about 38 cents per gallon.
Use to treat baccharis in susceptible crop areas.
Spray each chemical mixture on the lower 12
inches of the trunks. Apply sufficient solution to
run to crown. The mixture can be applied with
a knapsack or power sprayer. One gallon chemical
mixture should treat from 25 to 50 stems. Treat
each stem on all sides for best results. Best control
Texas A&M University • Agricultural Extension Service • John E. Hutchison, Director • College Station
i obtained in summer and winter. However, most
anytime of the year satisfactory control is possible.
Limit individual plant treatment to infestations
of 150 plants or less per acre.
Cut stump-The plants can be cut off and the
stumps treated with undiluted 2-4-D amine. Cover
the entire cut surface thoroughly with specific
coverage on the cambium layer. Trees can be cut
off with an ax, power saw or shredder. One gallon
of 2,4-D amine costs about $4 per gallon and
should treat about 1,000 stems with I-inch diameter.
Broadcast Treatment
In ground spraying with boom-type or boomless-
type nozzles-use I Y2 to 2 pounds 2,4-D low volatile
ester per acre. Use 15 to 20 gallons solution per
acre with the boom-type and 20 to 30 gallons solu-
tion per acre with the boomless-type. The swath
width for the boomless-type should be reduced to
one-half the effective swath width. For example,
if the spray nozzle covers 40 feet effectively, reduce
to 20 feet for complete spray coverage on all plants.
Spray coverage is most important in controlling
woody vegetation. Limit ground broadcast spraying
to dense stands-over 150 trees per acre-that are 4
feet tall or less. Apply in the spring or fall when
plants are growing vigorously. Fall treatments
hould be at the rate of 3 pounds per acre.
In aerial spraying use I Y2 to 2 pounds 2,4-D low
volatile ester in 4 to 5 gallons of solution per acre.
Aerial spray when the baccharis growth is over
4 feet tall and on areas where ground spraying is
impossible. In susceptible crop areas, limit aerial
spraying to fall treatments only. Fall treatments
should have 3 pounds 2,4-D per acre in 5 gallons
solution. Add a wetting agent to the solution.
The cost for applying 2,4-D by ground or aerial
spraying methods is about $4 per acre for the
spring application and $5 per acre for the fall
application.
MANAGING CONTROLLED AREAS
Defer the controlled area to improve forage
conditions for efficient livestock production. Proper
grazing use reduces the re-infestation and prolongs
the time for control of regrowth and seedling.
Controlling seedlings and regrowth when the plants
are small and few in number per acre is. the most
economical approach.
USE ALL HERBICIDES WITH CAUTIO .
FOLLOW DIRECTIONS ON THE USDA AP-
PROVED LABELS. HERBICIDES USED PROP-
ERLY BRING GOOD RESULTS AND DO NOT
AFFECT SUSCEPTIBLE CROPS. MISUSE OF
HERBICIDES PRODUCES POOR RESULTS.
Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Texas A&M University and the United States
Department of Agriculture cooperating. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914, as
amended, and June 30, 1914.
10M-6-68


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Control of Baccharis.

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Control of Baccharis.

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