Vol. 15—1961 - NorthEastern Weed Science Society

With the ra~id constru~tion of new lines it was reali~ed that other methods
were ne~esa~~ to keep pace with the rapid gro~~h of the transmission system,
and extensive research was conducted in the stump-treatment method. This
mctihod, which is one of our most effective, was perfected and adopted as a
part of our program in 19~after 3 years of experimental work. It is used
after the initial clearing of new rights-of-way.
We have also tried stump treatment on recleared rights-of-way, but the results
have not been too satisfactory. One of the major problems is that the brush
is not burned, and moving the brush tc get to the stumps is an expenSive
operation. Also, the crew workers are unable to find many of the small stumps
to spray themj therefore, considerable growth appears on these rebrushed
rights-of-way the season following the treatment. Vines and briars make it
difficult to remove the brush and to locate the small stumps.
At the present time a mixture of 3 percent of 2,4,5-T esters in diesel oil is
used for the basal and the stump treatment methods. The number of gallons an
acre is determined by the stem count. The root crown of the brush or the
stump, including all the exposed roots, is thoroughly wet with the mixture.
When conifers occur in the course of basal treatment, it is best to spray the
entire plant.
In 1960 a portable mist blower was used en an experimental basis for applying
concentrated mixtures of various chemicals, but we have not had sufficient
time to evaluate the effectiveness of this method of application. This work
will be continued, with evaluations of this method.
Extensive experimental work has been done with numerous 60il sterilants to
determine their possibilities in pole degrassing, which is done in fire hazard
areas to eliminate grass and weeds and prevent poles from burning as a result
of grass fires. Chemicals are applied in a 6-foot radius around the base of
a pole, resulting in an area treated of apprOXimately 100 square feet. Some
of the chemicals have been very effective and appear to be more economical
than the "scalping" method.
The control of danger trees outside the cleared rights-of-way presents an
additional and expensive maintenance problem, which is also accomplished by
both chemical and mechanical methods. Sometimes danger trees are cleared by
mechanical methodsj however, we have found that it is USUally more economical
to control them by the application of a 3-percent mixture of 2,4,5-T esters
indiesel oil to an overlapping axe frill encircling the tree at a height not
more than 12 inches above the ground line.
We have done research work with almost all chemicals for weed and brush
control that have come to our attention, and many of them have been included
in our program. The chemicals have been in liqUid) powder, granular, and
pellet form. We have used them in storage areas, transfurmer yards, riprap,
and drainage ditches and along railroads to keep these area.s cle"ll' (,.f'v""gotation,
in addition to transmission line rights-of-way.