Herbicide Options for Hardwood Management

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Mississippi landowners who intend to grow hardwoods are fortunate to have one of the most accommodating sets of environmental conditions in the nation. Long growing seasons, great climatic conditions, and the wide variety of appropriate species make establishment and maintenance of hardwood stands attainable as long as appropriate silvicultural methods are used.

It is easy to see how vigorously various woody and herbaceous species colonize most sites in the South. Consequently, land managers face a multitude of problems associated with unwanted vegetative competition. These problems typically involve reduced growth in established stands and reduced survival in planted stands.

Any given tract of land may have a wide variety of native plant species. Many of these species are not problematic and do not warrant special consideration. Typically, they are controlled with herbicides during the establishment period or are deemed to have insignificant negative effects on hardwood survival and growth; however, some species can be problematic in hardwood management.

Using herbicides has proven beneficial by lowering establishment costs, increasing growth, reducing mortality, and lessening vine-induced stem deformation. This publication discusses options available for treatment of undesirable vegetation in hardwood management efforts. It is extremely important to follow labeled application rates and timing because many of the most effective herbicides can have negative impacts if applied improperly. This is not intended to be an all-encompassing list, but it includes product names, rates, and application timings of herbicides that have proven to be effective in controlling some more common problem species.

The practice of using herbicides in hardwood systems is increasing. Planning herbicide use in hardwood management can be difficult compared to that required in similar pine systems; however, most targeted species can be controlled through careful consideration of effective herbicides and appropriate application timing. Land managers should be cautious when using herbicides in any forest management effort, but current herbicide options for use in hardwoods make suppressing unwanted vegetation both efficient and cost effective.

You can also contact state Extension specialists or your local Extension office for answers to specific questions.

Additional Reading

Self, A. B. (2021). Tree injection with reduced labor requirements (P3673). Mississippi State University Extension. https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/tree-injection-reduced-labor-requirements

Self, A. B. (2025). Tree injection for timber stand improvement (P2942). Mississippi State University Extension. https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/tree-injection-for-timber-stand-improvement

Self, A. B. (2021). Tank mixtures of forestry site preparation herbicides can be antagonistic (P3781). Mississippi State University Extension. https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/tank-mixtures-forestry-site-preparation-herbicides-can-be-antagonistic

Self, A. B. (2020). Herbicidal control of invasive tree, shrub, and vine species in Mississippi (P3474). Mississippi State University Extension. https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/herbicidal-control-invasive-tree-shrub-and-vine-species-mississippi

The information given here is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products, trade names, or suppliers are made with the understanding that no endorsement is implied and that no discrimination against other products or suppliers is intended.

Publication 2873 (POD-08-26)

By A. Brady Self, PhD, Extension Professor, Forestry, and Andrew W. Ezell, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Forestry.