Trying to figure out how to manage and improve forestland can be a daunting task for landowners. There are various practices, techniques, and designs for landowners to decipher and then determine which one will accomplish the goals and objectives of their property. Depending on the site, forestland improvement may involve culling low-value or undesirable trees. Culling these trees will reduce competition of nutrients, minerals, water, and space for the remaining trees as well as allow sunlight to reach forest floor, increasing growth of herbaceous vegetation and plant species diversity.
One timber management method that can improve forestland quality is called “hack and squirt.” Simply put, an incision – or “hack” – is made in the bark of the tree with a sharp tool (hatchet, ax, tree injector, etc.) and then herbicide is sprayed – or “squirted” – into the incision. The cut bark will hold the herbicide long enough for proper absorption into tree.
Not only is the hack and squirt method simple, it is also a highly effective and selective method for timber thinning. Landowners are able to choose which trees are treated with herbicide and which trees will remain. Other chemical methods such as aerial spraying are also highly effective. However, aerial spraying is not selective and does not give the landowner the flexibility to choose which trees to treat and which ones they would like to remain on the property.
Hack and squirt can be done any time of year. Even so, best results are typically found during periods of active tree growth, but not during the heavy sap flow of early spring. Similarly, rainfall can lessen the effectiveness of the treatment by washing the herbicide out of the incision. Because of this, it is not recommended to start treatment if rainfall is forecasted.
The age and size of the tree will also play a role in the effectiveness of the treatment and how much herbicide should be used. Hack and squirt is not recommended for use on trees less than two inches in diameter. Trees greater than two inches in diameter are acceptable and the number of incisions made will depend on the diameter of the tree as well as the herbicide used. Always check the herbicide label for proper dosages, mixing instructions, cut spacing and recommended personal protective equipment.
The hack and squirt method can be an extremely useful tool for landowners who want to improve forestland quality on their property.