Planting Instructions and Tips to Tree Growers

Weed Control

We do not recommend chemical weed control right after planting.  The herbicides can easily leach into the root system in the freshly disturbed ground and cause the tree to die.  Also herbicides can burn the new growth off and stunt the tree for several years.  It is best to start your herbicide program the fall before planting.  Spray in early September with roundup to kill back the area where the tree is be planted.  Roundup is more effective that time of the year, but can be used in the spring a couple of days before planting if the target weeds are green.  Results will not be as good in the spring, since many weeds may not be growing at the time of spraying.            

During the summer after planting manual methods such as mowing and weeding can be used.   Also limited use of herbicides can be done at this time.  Grasses can be killed if they are less than 8 inches in height with herbicides such as Vantage.  Vantage is slow acting and it can take up to two weeks to kill.  Since it is a grass killer Vantage can be sprayed overtop the trees if used at recommended rates.  Stinger can be used at this time to control broadleaf weeds in the legume and daisy families.  In early September spray with Original Roundup around the trees to kill back weeds and grasses.  Be careful to avoid spraying the foliage.               

The next spring, the tree will be established enough to spray with a pre-emergence herbicide.  We use Atrazine and Prowl, but most combinations of a broadleaf control herbicide and grass control herbicide will work.   Repeat the pre-emergence in the spring and roundup in the fall until trees are large enough to harvest.  Read the label for the correct rates, which may vary due to soil type and weather conditions.