A Management Guide for Invasive Plants in Southern Forests James ...

22Handheld weed wicks and rollers apply ultra-low volumes by wiping theherbicide mix onto the target leaf surfaces or bark; the herbicide mixtureis contained in the handle. A few commercial models are manufactured inAustralia and New Zealand, but devices also can be handmade from PVCtubing, fittings, and a sealed on sponge or rope wick and fitted to the wand of abackpack sprayer. Most wick systems have limited use and durability in forestand field situations, but are useful when the applicator needs to avoid applyingherbicide to rare or protected plants. Similar to a weed wick applicator, a rollingsponge head isanother drift-freetool option that allowsapplicationdirectly to targetedspecies.The THINVERTApplication Systemuses a seriesof special spraynozzles to applythin invert emulsionspray solutions(thin mayonnaiselikeconsistency) togreatly reduce driftand evaporation ofspray particles onHandmade basal bark wiper.the plant surface.The nozzles anda combination of special oil soluble herbicide (triclopyr) and emulsifyingagent have been developed and sold by Arborchem Products Company(717–766–6661, www.arborchem.com). This system combines the uniquespray nozzle and spray carrier into a coordinated unit for aerial or groundapplications to roadsides, rangeland, cropland, industrial sites, forests, andlandscape areas. Thinvert sprays can be applied to foliage as well as stemsor cut-stumps where absolutely no drift can be tolerated, such as immediatelyadjacent to neighboring croplands and special rare plant habitats.Foliar wick applicator.Steven T. ManningTHINVERT Application System.Steven T. Manning