Field Response of Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) and Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) to Aminocyclopyrachlor1

Abstract

Field trials were conducted to assess the impact of aminocyclopyrachlor on green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall) and honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos L.) trees in an urban environment. Aminocyclopyrachlor is a relatively new, selective, plant-growth-regulator herbicide in the pyrimidine carboxylic acid family. Treatments were applied to Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) sod growing with and without trees present. Evaluations included determination of a safe spraying distance from target trees and the effect of application timing on tree response. This multi-year study showed that green ash was highly tolerant to aminocyclopyrachlor while honey locust developed severe injury in trees closest to applications. Honey locust trees up to 7 m (23 ft) from the tree trunk to the edge of the application displayed moderate to severe injury symptoms and fall treatment in October and November had the lowest tree injury compared to all other application timings. Honey locust trees exhibiting moderate to severe cosmetic injury would not be acceptable to landowners; recovery over time was minimal. Trees located 13 m (43 ft) away displayed no injury for any treatment timing. Soil analysis demonstrated that aminocyclopyrachlor dissipation was the same underneath green ash and honey locust trees, and that dissipation was faster in the presence of growing trees. Taken together, these results provide a basic groundwork necessary for improving aminocyclopyrachlor labels, and a better understanding of this herbicide's effect on certain woody species. Index words: Herbicide injury, aminocyclopyrachlor, herbicide fate, tree safety. Species used in this study: Green ash, Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall, honey locust, Gleditsia triacanthos L. Chemicals used in this study: Aminocyclopyrachlor.