Trials , results , knowledge gained
FLAIL MULCHER
The mulcher was slow and cost-prohibitive for the area covered .
It is recommended that a mulcher should only be considered for targeted sensitive creek banks or eroded areas , largely due to the cost and the need to undertake follow-up chemical treatment of regrowth .
SPLATTER GUN
Chinee apple , rubbervine and grewia were targeted over summer , with Metsulfuron used when the plants were actively growing .
A 99 per cent kill was achieved on rubber vine and about 80 per cent on chinee apple .
However , the grewia dropped leaves where contact with chemical was made but continued to grow , with no kill achieved .
BASAL BARK
Basal barking with Access and diesel is commonly used for woody weeds and again proved a successful treatment .
AERIAL APPLICATION OF TEBUTHIRON
This was highly successful on mature and regrowth mimosa .
Aerial application was carried out in spring to take advantage of spring storms to help activate the Tebuthiron . A 98 per cent kill was achieved on all treated mimosa .
Vegetation and reef regulatory requirements need to be considered with this method and may not be suitable in certain situations .
Prior planning is required , including checking all relevant departmental mapping , and to GPS the proposed treatment area and keep application records .
KEY LESSONS LEARNED
• Always check legislative obligations to see if the planned technique is authorised .
• Splatter gun treatment works well on rubber vine and chinee apple when actively growing and under two metres tall .
• The Flail Mulcher is an expensive option for weed management , however , it does have uses for sensitive areas which are difficult to access and can reach into intact vegetation .
• The corner tip on the blade of a dozer works well with removing mimosa when the soil moisture profile is good .
• An increase in chinee apple seedlings occurs if using a dozer to manage .