Vol. 15—1961 - NorthEastern Weed Science Society

440.
STATEHIGHWAYHERBICIDE POLICIESI
H. H. Iurka and Kenneth King2
In the belief that data obtained in the summer of 1960 for a
report to Penn State's Forest Symposium would be of interest to
personnel at this oonference who might not obtain the original
report the authors have obtained that symposium's approval to present
this revision of tho original report.
We should first understand thep~poee8 of herbicide work on
highways. Of primary importance is (:j"ono!fij' in our maintenanoe
oporations. The savings possible have been reported to and published
by this Weed Control Conference and the Highway Research
Board. Secondly there is improvement of safety and health factors
by, for example, the elimination of weeds and brush to provide
visibility at intersections, to provide Visibility of guide rails
and signs, and by the elimination of plants such as poison ivy and
ragweed. While we Landscape Architects are sometimes hesitant to
speak of appearance when dealing with the rough realism of budgets
this purpose of herbicide work is a fortunate conoomitant. Finally
there is a mattor of good publio relations.
The uses of herbicides on highways are:
a. To control broad leaf weeds for the primary purpose of reducing
the number of mowings necessary.
b. To control all vegetation along guide rails, around signs,
posts, and other structures to eliminate the oostly mowing
previously necessary •.
c. To control brush which as you all know was a very expensive
operation before our modern herbicides became available.
d. To control weeds in plantings.
e. To eliminate vegetation in storage areas and in structural
joints.
1. ReVision of a report made at a Forest Symposium "Herbicides
and '.!'heir Use in Forostry" held a t the Pennsylvania
State University 8/30,31/60 for presentation to the Northeastern
Weed Control Conference 1/4-6/61.
2. New York State Department of Public Works.