Introduction

image of line drawing of Multiflora Rose

The purpose of this manual is to provide land managers a compilation of control recommendations from workshop participants as well as from available published and unpublished material on plant species of concern. The scope of this effort was broadened to include guidelines not only for those species addressed at the workshop, but also for some additional Missouri problem plants for which control methods are documented. The twenty-four guidelines that follow are intended to alert managers to aggressive exotic plants that may require control as well as to give specific recommendations for treatment. Results cannot be guaranteed using the methods given here because of the variability between sites where these plants may occur. We are in the early stages of learning the best treatment methods for many problem species. Nevertheless, managers can save years of experimentation by learning from the successes and failures of others. A list of references is included with each guideline to allow for further study of pertinent literature or to contact other management personnel with experience in controlling particular species.

Although an attempt was made to include most problem plant species currently requiring control in Missouri, there are certainly additional species that will join the ranks of Missouri's problem exotics in the future. These may be aggressive exotics that should be controlled wherever they are found, or they may be native species which are only problems in specific settings where their spread is at the expense of a natural community that should be protected. The following list consists of species not included in this manual that have presented management problems in other states and may create problems in Missouri now or in the future.

Managers should be aware of the potential aggressive spread of these species on public lands, so that, if control becomes necessary, it can begin before the species becomes well-established. recommendations given for the use of herbicides in this manual are subject to label restrictions. By law, herbicides may only be applied according to label directions. The herbicides recommended in this manual are general use herbicides with the exceptions of Tordon 101 Mixture and Tordon K for kudzu treatment. Pesticide application certification is governed by state laws and therefore varies by state. For safety reasons, it is a good idea for persons who will be dealing with even general use herbicides to get pesticide certification, whether required by law or not. In Missouri, certification and recertification classes are taught by the Missouri Department of Agriculture.