Vol. 15—1961 - NorthEastern Weed Science Society

such as low bush blueberry, sweet fern and huckleberry are more commonand,
therefore, provide an even more desirable cover,
The stability or vulnerability of this vegetational pattern to invasion
by new tree growth is of considerable importance from a management view -point,
In the dense shrub borders, where original tree growth has been removed selectively,
establishment of new tree growth does not appear evident after seven
years, which indicates a relatively stable shrub comraunity, In contrast, tree
invasion is rapidly occurring on a limited section of the right-of-way where
the ground cover was reduced by stem-foliage applications, Here saplings of
sweet birch 2-4 1 in height are common, indicating that reduction in ground
cover, especially shrub growth, tends to favor invasion of new tree growth,
From the standpoint of stability this further documents the value of preserving
the existing shrub cover wherever possible,
The many conservation values derived from this approach are worthy of
comment, The shrub cover preserved as a result of this technique provides
the typical edge effect advocated by those interested in wildlife and game
population, To those interested in flo\\l'ering herbs and rare plants rightsof-way
exhibit many of these species, In addition, landscape and aesthetic
values are also of general public concern since these rights-of-way are seen
from the road, especially those paralleling the highways.
Mana@ementPrinciples
in Commercial Application
As preViously mentioned, the management program recommendedand used on
the demonstration area is used in commercial practice by the more progressive
utilities both on their cross-country rights-of-way as well as on those
along roadsides.
Within the past few years, the principles employed on the demonstration
area have been applied commercially on the contiguous three-mile section of
the right-of-way, Two treatments, both selective, have been applied. In
the winter of 1951 undesirable tall tree growth was cut and stuJTg?treated,
In June 1959 a stem-foliar application was applied primarily to the greenbrier
directly under the lines and to scattered tree sprouts still persisting, A
most desirable shrubcornmunity has been created, especially along the sides of
the right-of-way, Here over forty species of shrubs and low-grlowing trees
have been preserved, In certain sections along the central strip shrub cover
of mountain laurel, huckleberry, high bush blueberry, maple leafed viburnum
and sweet fern is also common.
On the basis of present observations, only spot treatments will be
needed in the future, A more complete report of this operation will be forthcoming
when the final results of the 1959 spraying can be more precisely
evaluated,
It is of significance that within the past five years there has been a.
trend toward more se~ctive applications by certain utilities and spray contractors.
Public pressure has played some role, especially along roadsides
where the principles are also applicable (16). More progres$ive State Highway
Departments employ .only selective techniques in the removal of undesirable
woody groWth along roadsides. Recently special attention has also been
given town roadsides in Connecticut. This has led to the fOrIaulation of
sound spray techniques to be empLoyedby all agencies involved in town roadside
management (17). Although much progress has been made in creating an
431.