Himalayan Balsam & Glyphosate

Tangaroa · #1 (**permalink**) 12-04-2011, 01:40 PM

Hi,

I wondered if anyone had tried to control this plant using Glyphosate and what their experience was.
I have been a little reluctant to try this, largely because glyphosate (Roundup) is a non selective herbicide and I was worried that it would leave a completley bare river bank. However I have revently spoken to someone who has treated HB with this method of control and he found that the native vegetation returned the next year with much less Balsam.

basquesteve · #2 (**permalink**) 12-04-2011, 03:57 PM

Try a herbicide specific to lawns at least the grass will survive

Tangaroa · #3 (**permalink**) 13-04-2011, 08:42 AM

Hi - Unfortunately it is on a riverbank - I think Glyphosate is the only approved herbicide near a water course?

IanF · #4 (**permalink**) 13-04-2011, 09:30 AM

Contact your local Environment Agency ecology team. Himalayan balsam is one of the problem plants which they record and they should be able to give authoritative advice. I believe you need their permission to use herbicides on or near watercourses - at least that used to be the case.

IanF

The Woodman · #5 (**permalink**) 13-04-2011, 09:47 AM

The EA's NetRegs website has some good info on this subject.

Have a look at ....Spraying invasive plants with herbicide | Business Link

Tangaroa · #6 (**permalink**) 13-04-2011, 03:28 PM

Hi - yeah I have permission (from SEPA as i am in Scotland) to use herbicide along the river - however I was just interested to hear if anyone else had any success (or failures) using this method and what the impacts on native vegetation were (if it came back the following year or left the river bank bare etc)

I have been cutting and pulling balsam in the past but it is almost impossible to get every plant - especially if you are working with a team that isn’t diligent enough.

Thanks Woodman - ill have a look at that link

Adam Cheeseman · #7 (**permalink**) 13-04-2011, 06:12 PM

I've always wondered why people think about spraying an annual species. You're always going to have a few that escape from cutting or pulling and the bigger problem of seed source being washed in from upstream.
If chemical is your only control then Glyphosate is going to be your only option near water and it will take out everything. It does break down on contact with the ground so any seed bank won't be affected. Vegetation should recover quite quickly after the last application.

Cheers,

Adam

The Woodman · #8 (**permalink**) 13-04-2011, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangaroa

Hi - yeah I have permission (from SEPA as i am in Scotland)

and there's me thinking you were in South Yorkshire!

IanF · #9 (**permalink**) 14-04-2011, 08:17 AM

Hi Tangaroa - I too thought you were in S Yorkshire, but since you are in Scotland I can probably provide you with some SEPA contacts if you wish? It is generally bad practice to denude a riverbank of all vegetation due to the risk of causing erosion (I'm sure you know this), and the general problem with controlling riverbank non-natives is that you have to think on a catchment scale - there will always be recolonisation unless you get all of the specimens upstream! I am in Fife - are you anywhere nearby?

IanF