Grant from Calamus, Iowa writes
I have 600 eastern white pine seedlings and 100 wild plum seedlings that will be planted in April and I am looking for a selective herbicide to spray that will control the unwanted grasses in the field so that the seedlings will have less competition. Is Hi-Yield 2, 4-D the correct product to use? I plan to burn the field, till the planting area, wait for new growth and then spray. This will be followed by planting the seedlings and applying a maintenance herbicide to keep the grasses at bay.
We would not recommend using 2,4-D within 30 days of planting as any residue left in the soil would potentially damage the seedlings. If you can wait longer than a month (more like 6 weeks), then it could be considered as an option; otherwise, don’t do it. Applying Glyphosate (Glyphosel Pro or Kill-Zall) a week or so ahead of the plantings to kill the existing weeds would most likely be your best option. Glyphosate has no soil residual activity so you can plant a week or so after application.
Answer last updated on: 02/14/2013