APPLIED RITE is a superior low temperature basal bark oil for use with pest control products that are used on woody plants.

works at very low temperatures, down to 20°F to form a stable, spray-able solution.

This is a carrier product an additional herbicide will be required to control vegetation.

What Are Basal Bark Herbicide Applications?

Basal bark herbicide applications are made using a low-pressure backpack sprayer to thoroughly wet the lower 12-15 inches of the stem using a solid cone or flat fan nozzle. To be effective, it is important to thoroughly wet the entire stem, root collar area, and any exposed roots. Basal bark herbicides use an oil carrier commercially available basal oil like Applied Rite to penetrate the bark. Trees with thick or rough bark may require increased coverage to be effective.

Numerous products are labeled for use as basal bark applications (See Table Below). Triclopyr ester is the active ingredient used. It is found in products such as Garlon 4 Ultra, Garlon XRT, Element 4, Triclopyr 4E, Boulder 6.3 and Relegate. Triclopyr ester is a systemic herbicide, absorbed by the plant and translocated to tissues remote from the point of application. Triclopyr works by disturbing plant growth. It accumulates in plant meristems, cells where growth takes place, causing uneven cell division and growth. Triclopyr binds to soil organic matter and clay particles, which limits its movement in the soil and prevents root uptake by nontarget plants. Half the active ingredient is broken down by soil microorganisms and sunlight within 30-45 days following application.

Table. Basal bark herbicides.

The Garlon 4 Ultra (triclopyr ester 60.45 percent) label indicates three types of basal bark treatments:

1. Basal bark treatment: Mix 1-5 gallons of Garlon 4 Ultra in enough oil to make 100 gallons of mixture (1-5 percent). Apply with a backpack sprayer using low pressure (20-40 psi). Thoroughly wet the basal parts of brush and tree trunks to a height of 12-15 inches from the ground. Spray until runoff at the ground line is noticeable.
2. Low-volume basal bark treatment: Mix 20-30 gallons of Garlon 4 Ultra in enough oil to make 100 gallons of mixture (20-30 percent). Apply with a backpack sprayer using low pressure and a solid cone or flat fan nozzle. Thoroughly wet the basal parts of brush and tree trunks, including the root collar area, to a height of 12-15 inches from the ground. Do not spray to the point of runoff.
3. RTU (Ready to use) products do not require any mixing they are ready to use right out of the container.

The use of basal oil marking dyes help with a visual aid in seeing where someone has already applied product.

What Are Basal Bark Herbicide Applications Used For?

Basal bark applications are used to control thin-barked trees generally less than 6 inches in basal diameter. It is most commonly used in hardwood forest management timber stand improvement projects to remove undesirable and invasive tree and shrub species. These applications are also used to establish desirable regeneration by removing the low shade cast by dense understories of undesirable saplings such as red maple, black birch, striped maple, American beech, and eastern hophornbeam. Basal bark treatments are also effective for controlling grape vines as well as numerous invasive tree and shrub species.

When Can Basal Bark Herbicide Applications Be Made?

Basal bark herbicides can be applied anytime of year, including winter months, except when snow prevents spraying to the ground line or when stem surfaces are saturated with water.