Revolutionizing Pine Growth: Harnessing the Power of Drone Spraying for Effective Site Preparation Treatment

May 9, 2023

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Clear the way for strong pine growth: Choosing the right site preparation treatment

When it comes to growing pine timber, selecting an appropriate site preparation is crucial for successful silviculture. This entails managing undesirable vegetation that could potentially hinder the growth of pine seedlings as they establish themselves. It’s essential to carry out this treatment before planting, and using herbicides is one of the most effective and cost-efficient ways to eliminate unwanted vegetation, providing a favorable environment for seedlings to flourish.

The Competition

During the first two years of a pine seedling’s life, it faces stiff competition from various sources, including hardwoods, native pine, and shrubs, for sunlight and moisture. These competing plants may already have a well-established root system, which can quickly outcompete the young pine seedlings as the temperatures rise in spring.

The Solution

Investing in a high-quality herbicide site preparation treatment can yield significant returns. With a vast array of forestry herbicides and application techniques available, it’s essential to obtain a customized herbicide prescription for your property. This will identify the specific vegetation that requires control, the optimal timing of herbicide application, and the most effective application method. The team of Forestry Area Managers at Azelis A&ES is dedicated to being your trusted advisor and aiding you in the decision-making process.

Ground mechanical applications are usually done with a skidder or tractor that has been designed or modified for forestry application. They are typically fitted with a spray tank, a GPS guidance system, and have a spray system and boom that can professionally and safely apply forestry herbicides to your site. These machines typically have a 40-60 foot coverage area or swath. This type application is a great choice for applying forestry herbicides in sensitive areas, irregular shape areas, or where unique herbicide mixtures might be needed.
Ground hand applications typically use backpack sprayers worn by multiple workers on site to apply forestry herbicides to control unwanted vegetation. This method is great for applying forestry herbicide to sensitive areas or irregular shaped areas that may not be conducive for mechanical applications or aerial applications. The backpack sprayer method can also be used to apply a banded herbicide treatment over newly planted seedlings or spot controlling unwanted vegetation.
Helicopter aerial application is a method of applying forestry herbicides with a helicopter with a spray system. The pilot and his ground crew are trained, licensed, and experienced in the handling, mixing, and applying of forestry herbicides. The helicopter has a GPS guidance system and a drift control spray boom that allows a precision spray swath. The coverage area or swath is typically 40-60 feet. This method has been used successfully for decades in forestry herbicide applications. This method can also be very cost effective as well as productive.

Drone aerial applications in forestry have grown over the last two years. Drones offer some advantages over other forms of applications. For example, drones are good options to use to apply herbicides on ground that is unfit for a traditional ground sprayer. Drones are also good options for irregularly shaped tracts.

After viewing numerous tracts sprayed by drones in the last two years, they deliver excellent results. An average two-man drone crew can spray about 80 acres/day.

Challenges for drones:

  1. Battery Life: Most batteries only last about 20 minutes before they need to be recharged.
  2. Payload capacity: Most payloads of drones in industry today are less than 10 gallons. If tract is being sprayed @ 5GPA this only allows you to spray 2 acres before tank is empty.
  3. Tract must be clean: It is important to choose the right tracts for drone spraying that don’t have a lot of snags or vertical obstacles to avoid.

Drones are another effective tool in the toolbox. As technology and equipment advancements expand we feel their uses will as well.

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Let Azelis A&ES serve as your trusted advisor and provide tailored herbicide prescriptions for your sites. We can aid in identifying unwanted vegetation that requires control, selecting the appropriate forestry herbicide blend, determining the ideal timing for application, and choosing the best method of application. Our team of experienced Forestry Area Managers is dedicated to professionally managing your herbicide site preparation applications. Remember to carefully read and adhere to the herbicide label instructions when applying herbicides.

Have Questions? We’re here to help!

Azelis A&ES has experienced representatives that can help you make the right decision for your land management objectives. We are ready to provide you with a safe and effective solution.

Talk to one of our technical experts to get started today!

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