Pine Release: What It Is and Why We Do It
Pine release is when competing vegetation is removed from an established pine stand. It is generally done in the first 3-5 years of the life of the stand. It is not always needed, but when site preparation could not or was not done correctly, it is a great way to help your pine stand reach its full potential.
The Numbers
We all know that competition reduces the crop trees growth and survival by robbing moisture and nutrients that the crop trees need. But did you know that by allowing just 100+ hardwood trees, 6 inches in diameter per acre in your pine stand, can reduce pine sawlogs at harvest by 20-50 trees!
What Next?
If you determine your stand needs a pine release treatment, what are your options? You can mechanically reduce the competition by mowing or hand chopping the unwanted stems. This is usually a temporary fix as the root systems of those plants will resprout fairly quickly. A herbicide treatment will control competition much longer.
It can be as simple as using a backpack sprayer to treat individual plants or you can use a skidder or helicopter to broadcast the entire stand. But before you do any herbicide treatment, it would be wise to contact your local Azelis A&ES representative to make sure that you are using the right products for your specific situation. The last thing you want to happen is to damage your crop trees!
Now’s the Time
Right now is the time to take a look at your new pine stand to evaluate the level of competition it has. If the pines are not free to grow, doing a pine release treatment can pay big dividends at harvest time.
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!