Christmas tree weeding

[charlieb]

I have a small Christmas tree plantation.  Norway, nordman and some more interesting ones I can't resist planting alongside them that no-one ever chooses! 

 

I try to use as few chemicals as possible which means I end up doing a LOT of strimming.    I have used kerb a bit soon after establishment, which works.  And  I've also tried chickens, without much success.  (You know how every chicken run you've ever seen is bare mud at the base.  That's what I was hoping for, but instead the sward of grass and weeds is pretty much as thick as ever - I think i need 50+ chickens rather than the 7 I currently have.)  

 

Anyway, some questions: 

• Does anyone know if Kerb flo / granules is poisonous to chickens?  Or to us if we eat their eggs? 
• Can i plant a seedling into ground that has been sprayed with kerbflow earlier in the winter? 
• Any top tips for weed control in (small) christmas tree exclosures? 

 

Thanks !

C

[Tree monkey 1682]

Plantations small or not small used to strim them, any varient of weedkiller will be poisionus to animals and can potentially get passed down , best thing is mechanical its only grass

[tree-fancier123]

what's wrong with glyphosate around saplings and small trees if you use something to control drift?

[tree-fancier123]

wow - it's your lucky day - some guys have written a whole 50 page booklet 'weed control in Christmas tree plantations'.

Merry Christmas

https://cdn.forestresearch.gov.uk/2022/04/fcfb015.pdf

 

[charlieb]

Thanks folks.  Yep, I found that 50 page booklet - I was hoping asking on here might be a shortcut to reading it cover to cover!  (especially as it's a non-searchable pdf.)    But direct advice from experience is usally better than FC advice imo as well.   Or useful alongside.   

 

Glyphosate:  i'm trying not to use it at all.  I'm interested in views on whether Kerb (propyzamide) is any less, or more, evil than glyphosate??? 

 

 

[charlieb]

I've done a bit of research and general conclusion seems to be that propyzamide is probably less bad than glyphosate  - both for the environment and for people.   Do you guys agree?