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Weed ID and Management for the Weed ID and Management for the Home GroundsHome Grounds

Mark J. Renz & Brendon PankeMark J. Renz & Brendon Pankemrenz@wisc.edumrenz@wisc.edu; ; bjpanke@wisc.edubjpanke@wisc.edu

University of WisconsinUniversity of Wisconsin--MadisonMadisonAgronomy Dept.Agronomy Dept.

Common definitions used for weedsCommon definitions used for weeds•Weed: plant out of place

•Noxious weed FEDERAL:•Public Law 106-224 “any plant or plant product that can directly or indirectly injure or cause damage to crops (including nursery stock or plant products), livestock, poultry, or other interests of agriculture, irrigation, navigation, the natural resources of the United States, the public health, or the environment.”

•Invasive plant FEDERAL: Executive Order 13112 (Clinton in 1999): an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.

Common definitions used for weedsCommon definitions used for weedsNoxious weed STATE: (1975)

•All landowners are to contain and prevent the spread of listed noxious weeds. Municipalities and counties may list species as noxious locally and do enforcement•3 species listed as Noxious state-wide 1) Canada thistle 2) Leafy spurge 3)Field Bindweed

•Nuisance weed STATE: (1987) •No one may sell, purchase, cultivate, etc nuisance species2 species listed : Purple loosestrife and Multiflora rose

NR40 WisconsinNR40 Wisconsin’’s new invasive s new invasive species rulespecies rule

Prohibited species– are not yet in the state or only exist as small populations– have the potential to cause significant damage if they spread – It is illegal for people to transport, import, possess, transfer,

sell and introduce these species without a permit. – Landowners will be expected to control prohibited species

found on their property.

Restricted species– are invasive species that are already too widespread to expect

statewide eradicated. – it is illegal for people to transport, import, transfer, sell and

introduce these species, but people may possess plants.

http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/classification/

Prohibited SpeciesProhibited Species

Oxygen-weedMile-a-minute vineKudzuJapanese stilt grassJapanese honeysuckleHydrillaGiant knotweedGiant hogweedFanwort, Carolina FanwortEuropean frog-bitChinese yamBrittle waternymphBrazilian waterweedAustralian swamp crop

Common name

Yellow star thistleYellow floating heartWineberryWater chestnutSpreading hedge parsleySericea lespedezaScotch broomSawtooth oakPrincess treePorcelain berryPerennial pepperweedParrot featherPale swallow-wortOxygen-weed, African elodea

Common name Restricted SpeciesRestricted Species

Eurasian water milfoilDame's rocketCypress spurgeCut-leaved teaselCurly-leaf pondweedCreeping bellflowerCommon teaselCommon buckthornCattail hybridCanada thistleBells honeysuckleAutumn olive

Common name

Musk thistleMultiflora roseMorrow's honeysuckleLeafy spurgeJapanese knotweedHound's tongue

Hemp nettle, brittlestemhemp nettle

Helleborine orchidGlossy buckthorn (CV)Garlic mustardFlowering rush

Common nameNarrow-leaf cattail

Wild parnsipTree-of-heavenTartarian honeysuckleTansy (CV)Spotted knapweedRussian olivePurple loosestrifePlumeless thistlePhragmites, Common reedOriental bittersweet

Common name

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Prohibited/Restricted SpeciesProhibited/Restricted Species

MapWild chervilMapTall or Reed manna grassMapPoison hemlockMapLyme grass or sand ryegrassMapJapanese hopsMapJapanese hedge-parsleyMapHill mustardMapHairy willow herbMapEuropean marsh thistleMapCelandineMapBlack swallow-wortMapAmur honeysuckle

DetailsCommon name

Why is identification of weeds so Why is identification of weeds so important?important?

• Management CAN BE improved if species is known!

1. Check if stems are triangular, round, or flattened?

2. Check for a ligule/auricle

3. Check for hairs4. Check for perennial

organs

Steps to ID Sedges and Steps to ID Sedges and GrassesGrasses

1. Triangular = sedge species2. Flattened = Yellow foxtail, Sandbur, Barnyardgrass

3. Rounded = Giant foxtail, Green foxtail, Witchgrass, Wild proso millet, Fall panicum, Woolly cupgrass, crabgrass spp. and many more

Step 1: Check StemsStep 1: Check Stems

1. Ligule can be • Absent = Barnyardgrass

• Membranous = Shattercane, Large crabgrass, Smooth crabgrass, quackgrass

• Hairy: Yellow foxtail, Sandbur Giant foxtail, Green foxtail, Witchgrass, Wild proso millet, Fall panicum, Woolly cupgrass

2. Auricle present • = Quackgrass

Step 2: Ligule/auricleStep 2: Ligule/auricle

None hairy membranous

Ligule Types

1. Part of plant hairy:• Sheath • Collar• Leaf blade

2. No hairs: • Barnyardgrass, smooth brome, Tall fescue, reed

canarygrass, bluegrass spp, + many more

Step 3: Check for hairsStep 3: Check for hairs

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1. Look for rhizomes, bulbs, tuber, and perennial roots

2. Perennial weeds =1. Quackgrass2. Kentucky bluegrass3. Reed Canarygrass4. Tall Fescue

Step 4: Perennial?Step 4: Perennial? Plant 1Plant 1• First leaves

relatively large• stems rounded

to flattened• Large,

membranous ligule

• Leaf sheath and blades hairy

Plant 2Plant 2

• Clasping auricles

• very short membranous ligule

• Leaf sheaths hairy early

Plant 2Plant 2

What are these grasses?What are these grasses?

• Plant 1• Stems: rounded• Ligule:

membranous• No auricle• Hairy: entire plant• Perennial: NO

• Plant 2• Stems: rounded• Ligule:

membranous• YES auricle• Hairs: Sheath

and collar• Perennial: NO

HAIRY CRABGRASS

HAIRY CRABGRASS

QUACKGRASS

QUACKGRASS

Survey of Extension HorticulturistsSurvey of Extension Horticulturists

Receive many questions, No control information.

Japanese knotweed

Receive many questions.Chickweed

Receive many questions.Common dandelion

Receive many questions.Honeysuckle

Receive many questions.Canada thistle

Receive many questions.Garlic mustard

Receive many questions, No control information.

Field bindweed

Receive many questions.Common purslane

Receive many questions.Creeping charlie

Receive many questions.BuckthornReason for ConcernWeed

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The leaves of Glossy Buckthorn are a more vibrant green and are glossy or shiny compared to the dull leaves of Common Buckthorn.Glossy Buckthorn leaves also lack the small teeth found on Common Buckthorn.

Co

mm

on

Bu

ckth

orn

Co

mm

on

Bu

ckth

orn

Glo

ssy B

uck

tho

rnG

lossy

Bu

ckth

orn

Common Buckthorn (Common Buckthorn (RhamnusRhamnus catharticacathartica))

Garlic Garlic mustard mustard

((AllariaAllaria petiolatapetiolata))

Creeping Charlie // Garlic Mustard

Know Your LOOKKnow Your LOOK--ALIKES . . .ALIKES . . .

Growth form differencesGrowth form differences Amur honeysuckle (Amur honeysuckle (LoniceraLonicera maackiimaackii))

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Morrow honeysuckle Morrow honeysuckle ((LoniceraLonicera morrowiimorrowii))

BellBell’’s honeysuckle s honeysuckle ((LoniceraLonicera x x bellabella))

TartarianTartarian honeysuckle honeysuckle ((LoniceraLonicera tataricatatarica))

•Smooth hairless leaves.

•Downy leaves.•Hybrid of these two species with mixed characteristics.

Japanese knotweed (Japanese knotweed (PolygonumPolygonum cuspidatumcuspidatum))

Jack Ranney, University of Tennessee, Bugwood.orgSteve Manning, Invasive Plant Control, Bugwood.org

Japanese hedgeJapanese hedge--parsleyparsley• Opposite leaves.• Small, open umbel

flowers.• Many look-alikes.

Lots of resources to Lots of resources to aid in identificationaid in identification• Books• Field guides• Websites• Ask an expert• Interactive tools

– CDs, Websites

New Weed ID TOOL New Weed ID TOOL http://http://weedid.wisc.eduweedid.wisc.edu

• 355 of the most common weeds of Wisconsin entered

• Allows for selection of known traits to reduce the potential weeds that fit this criteria

DemonstrationDemonstration

• http://weedid.wisc.edu

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What do you do if you canWhat do you do if you can’’t identify t identify this plant from the website?this plant from the website?

• Try to identify to family or genus then use other resources (next slide)

• Take a picture and email it to an expert• Send a sample in for identification• Contact people for samples (Extension Agent should

have contact information)– Annual Crops Chris Boerboom (leaving in Dec.)– Horticultural Crops Jed Colquhoun – Perennial Crops/Natural Areas Mark Renz– Turf: John Stier/Paul Koch

• They charge $20 for identification• http://www.plantpath.wisc.edu/tdl/

Take a picture and email it to an Take a picture and email it to an expertexpert

1. Make sure pictures are in focus.2. Take whole plant shots as well as close-ups.3. Close-ups of the leaves, flowers, and stems if

possible.

Preparing/Collecting Plant SpecimensPreparing/Collecting Plant Specimens

• Collect as many plant parts as possible !

FRESH1. Place the plant specimen in a plastic bag along with a dry

paper towel (don't add water) and seal. 2. Please include date and location of collection and your contact

information (email preferred).

DRIED1. Flattened in folded newspaper or taped to paper and securely

fastened between two cardboards and sent in a padded envelope or box.

2. Plants placed in plastic bags and sent through the mail often mold.

Resources I Frequently UseResources I Frequently Use• Books

– Weeds of the Northeast• 300 species, including woody species, with four or more colored pictures• short cut identification tables • a narrative (including a useful description of how to distinguish from

similar weeds)– Ontario Weeds

• black and white line drawings of 315 species with 28 pages of color plates, each with six pictures

• a narrative (including a useful description of how to distinguish from similar weeds

• Available on-line at: http://pubont.stores.gov.on.ca/pool/.

• Websites– UW-Herbarium http://www.botany.wisc.edu/wisflora– Virginia Tech http://www.ppws.vt.edu/weedindex.htm– Missouri plants http://www.missouriplants.com/index.html– Ontario weeds www.ontarioweeds.com

Pest management stepsPest management steps1. Pest identification = WHAT IS IT?

2. Population size = HOW MUCH?

3. Economics = IS IT COSTING ME ?

4. Available control tactics = WHAT CAN I DO?– Interactions– Environmental and legal constraints

Understand the Understand the biology of weeds!biology of weeds!

• How do they reproduce and spread?– Annuals– Biennials – Creeping Perennials– Simple Perennials

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Perennial weedsPerennial weeds• Many types, important to

know if– Creeping

• Ex Russian olive, Canada thistle– Simple (root crown)

• Ex Multiflora rose, dandelions

Types of management methodsTypes of management methods

•• MowingMowing• Grazing•• CultivationCultivation• Disking• Flaming•• CompetitionCompetition

•• Hand pullingHand pulling•• HerbicidesHerbicides• Flooding•• Biological controlBiological control• Solarization•• MulchingMulching

Integrated Pest ManagementIntegrated Pest Management(IPM)(IPM)

What management methods do you What management methods do you use for weeds/invasive plants?use for weeds/invasive plants?

285Total responses25%71Burning51%143

Cut-stump/basal bark (herbicide)

69%196Broadcast spray

(herbicide)

89%253Spot spray (herbicide)

56%160Mowing89%255

Hand pulling/removal

PercentageResponsesMethods

Hand pulling/removalHand pulling/removalCosts

• Time• Disturbs the soil• Your knees

Benefits• Low cost• Low risk (No spills,

mower accidents, or escaped fire)

MowingMowingCosts

• Specialized equipment.

• Very dependant on timing.

Benefits• Low cost.• Most people have the

necessary equipment for herbaceous species.

Tillage/cultivationTillage/cultivationCosts

• Equipment and/or time

• Disturbs the soil• Can spread perennial

roots

Benefits• If timed correctly very

effective on annuals• If incorporated with

plants that can shade out weeds effectiveeffective

MulchMulchCosts

• Labor intensive• May need to alter

nutrient balance• Increase rodents

Benefits• Effective• Can reduce watering

needs

BurningBurningCosts

• Escaped fire.• Specialized

equipment needed.• Need a large crew.• Legal constraints.• Need an experienced

crew leader.

Benefits• Cover a large area

quickly.• Reestablish a

environmental condition that many species evolved with.

• It is the most fun control method.

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Herbicide (spot Herbicide (spot vsvs broadcast)broadcast)Costs (spot spray)

• Takes a lot of time to treat and search for plants

• Have to mix herbicide up to use

• Potential for misapplication and/or spill

Costs (broadcast)• Spray the entire area• Usually not selective• Must have equipment• Potential for misapplication

and/or spill

Benefits (spot spray)• Effective• Selective• Cover large areas quickly when

compared to previous methods.• Just treat where needed

Benefits (broadcast)• Cover large areas quickly when

compared to previous methods.• Cover area of interest without

searching for target plants.

What is a herbicide?What is a herbicide?

• Herbicide = phytotoxic chemical• Chemical = A substance with a distinct

molecular composition that is produced by or used in a chemical process.

Contact Contact herbicidesherbicides

• Activity only where contact plant tissue

• Foliarly applied and taken up

• Work great on annual weeds

Roundup Banvel, 2,4-D

Systemic herbicidesSystemic herbicides

SelectivitySelectivity

•• Nonselective (Example Nonselective (Example glyphosate/Roundup)glyphosate/Roundup)–– Will injure any plant it contacts.Will injure any plant it contacts.

•• Selective (2,4Selective (2,4--D)D)–– WonWon’’t harm grasses.t harm grasses.–– WonWon’’t harm broadleaved species.t harm broadleaved species.–– Random selectivity.Random selectivity.

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PREEN FormulationsPREEN Formulations

WeeksBroadleafSyst0.311 0.075 0.34

2,4 D MecopropDicamba

Lawn Weed Killer

1-2 months

AnnualC soil0.13DithiopyrLawn Crabgrass Preventer

WeeksBroadleafSyst1.37 0.31 0.13

2,4 D Propionic Acid Dicamba

Lawn Broadleaf Control

1-2 months

AnnualsC soil1.47TrifluralinGarden Weed Preventer

Weeks-Month

AnnualsC soil100.0Corn Gluten Meal

Weed Preventer organic

NoneNoneSyst2.00Glyphosate Weed & Grass Killer

WeeksBroadleafSyst0.210.40 0.07

DMPA 2,4 D Dicamba

Weed Brush Killer

Residual Activity

SelectivityType% AIActiveIngred.

Herbicide

contactmany perennial and/or large seeded plantsTrifluralin

systemicmost established grassesTriclopyr

systemicbroadleaf plantsSethoxydim

systemicsome grasses and broadleaf plantsQuinclorac

contactmany perennial and/or large seeded plantsPendimethalin

systemicmost established grassesMCPA

systemicsome grasses (warm season)Imazapic

systemicnot selectiveGlyphosate

systemicmost established grassesDicambasystemicmost established grasses2,4-D

type of herbicideSafe when applied toActive ingredient

ReadyReady--toto--Use vs. ConcentratesUse vs. Concentrates

MonthsNoneSystemic18% 2%

Glyphosate Triclopyr

Round Up Poison Ivy Concentrate

Several months to a year

NoneSystemic18% 0.36%

Glyphosate Imazapic

Round Up Extended Control

NoneNoneSystemic18.00%GlyphosateRound Up Concentrate

Conc-entrate

NoneNoneSystemic2.00%Glyphosate Round Up Weed & Grass Plus

NoneNoneSystemic2.00%Glyphosate Round Up Ready to Use Plus

MonthsNoneSystemic1% 0.1%

Glyphosate Triclopyr

Round Up Poison Ivy

RTU

Residual Activity

SelectivityTypeRateActive Ingredients

Herbicide

PersistencePersistence

• No residual (hours- 1 day)• Example: Roundup (glyphosate)

• Short residual (days to weeks)• Example: 2,4-D, Banvel

• Long lasting=(months – years)• Example: Plateau (imazapic)

Imazapic applied the previous fall

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Residual ActivityResidual Activity

NoneNoneSystemic1.92%Glyphosate UltraStop

MonthsNoneSystemic1% 0.1%

Glyphosate Triclopyr

Round Up Poison Ivy

Several months to a year

NoneSystemic1% 0.016%

Glyphosate Imazapic

Ortho Ground-clear

Residual Activity

SelectivityTypeRateActive Ingredients

Herbicide

Month(s)Trifluralin

Month(s)Triclopyr

Week(s)Sethoxydim

Several months -year(s)Quinclorac

Month(s)Pendimethalin

several weeksMCPA

Several months -year(s)Imazapic

NONEGlyphosate

several weeksDicambaWeek(s)2,4-D

Soil activityActive ingredient

Degradation and persistence– BREAKDOWN RATE DEPENDANT ON SEVERAL

THINGS• Property of specific herbicides

– Rate of application• Physical and environmental factors

– Soil type, Soil pH– Soil moisture– Soil temperature

– With most herbicides activity is•• EXTENDED under Cool, dry weather EXTENDED under Cool, dry weather •• REDUCED under Warm, wet conditionsREDUCED under Warm, wet conditions

Herbicides BreakdownHerbicides Breakdown Garlic mustard researchGarlic mustard research• Evaluated control of garlic

mustard at 3 sites when applied with different methods in the fall

• Spot treatment, broadcast, hand-pull

Garlic mustard researchGarlic mustard research

02714hand-pull421958untreated

00

LaCrosse

101

Pen.StatePark

217

GreenBay

% Cover of 2nd year garlic mustard

gly broadcastgly spot 2%

Treatment

Garlic mustard researchGarlic mustard research

422 002714hand-pull36270421958untreated

00

LaCrosse

101

Pen.StatePark

217

GreenBay

% Cover of 2nd year garlic mustard

% Cover of plants that are NOT garlic

mustard

203 0gly broadcast67194gly spot 2%

LaCrosse

Pen.StatePark

GreenBay

Treatment

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Time to spot sprayTime to spot spray

• Estimate of time it took to conduct various treatments at one site (La Crosse)

18.2 BHandpull9.1 ABroadcast

14.4 BIPT (spot)FALL

Time (hours/A)methodTiming

Applications of herbicidesApplications of herbicides

• Broadcast applications• Pre-emergent (PRE)• Post-emergent (POST)

• Directed methods– Spot treatment– Basal bark applications– Cut stump– Ropewick– Timing specific

Prairie Prairie restorationrestoration

• Prairie establishments attempted at 2 sites

• Areas taken over by Canada thistle

• Suppress Canada thistle to allow for establishment

• Minimize injury to native plants

Prairie restorationPrairie restoration

• Applied roundup at 3 timings in fall– September (no hard frosts)– October (few hard frosts)– November (many hard frosts)

3149Nov2448UNTREATED

McFarlandHoricon

2945Oct1123Sept

Native Plant cover

September September vsvs NovemberNovember

September November

Herbicides for perennial weedsHerbicides for perennial weeds

• Unique timing for applying herbicides to perennial weeds

• Maximize herbicide into perennial tissues– Flowerbud to flowering stage– Resprouts in fall

• Spring is one of the WORST times to treat!

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Hemp Dogbane control with glyphosateHemp Dogbane control with glyphosatePERCENT CONTROL OF Dogbane

10010078571.50

1009291431.125

99937258.75*

88647322.56

Full flower

summer

Early Flowerearly

summer

BudSpring

VegetativeSpring

Glyphosate (lb/a)

Glyphosate early flowerCheck

Hemp Dogbane Hemp Dogbane control One control One Year LaterYear Later

Application considerationsApplication considerations

• Read and follow label directions on all chemicals. – Use correct rates– Calibrate your sprayer

• Be sure that chemicals are mixed thoroughly • Never spray when it is windy• Spray only the targeted area (ground)• When applying 2,4-D, use low volatile formulations

(amine) and spray when air temperatures are < 80F.• Do not apply soil-active herbicides where water run-

off could carry the chemical to non-target plants.

Tip on managing annual Tip on managing annual weedsweeds

• Prevent germination of seedlings– Mulch and/or preemergent herbicide

• Remove emerged seedlings when they are small– Hand pull, herbicides

• Prevent plants from producing seeds

• After adding new material, monitor for new weeds

Tip on managing perennial Tip on managing perennial weedsweeds

• Determine if they are simple or creeping perennial weeds

• Manage with multiple methods– Continually manage to prevent storage in organs– Promote rapid canopy closure to limit growth

• Prevent plants from producing seeds

• After adding new material, monitor for new weeds

SummarySummary• All management options have positive and negative

aspects.

• Consider these aspects when selecting the appropriate management tool for your property

• READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE RESTRICTIONS CAREFULLY!!!!

• No one option will work under all situations, and often an integrated approach works the best.