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Hi, in this video we’re going to show you how to use the basal bark technique.
This method is suitable for treating shrubs and trees that are actively growing and not stressed.
Oh, so stressed. Don’t stress me.
Before you start make sure you check the weather, make sure there’s no rain forecast or strong winds on the day you’ll be doing the work.
Also make sure your kids and pets are safely out of the way.
It’s always important to wear the right safety equipment.
You can also find this information on the label.
You need to make sure you are wearing your hat, long sleeved shirt, long pants, covered footwear.
And for mixing the herbicide you will need an impervious apron, chemical resistant gloves, a face mask and a face shield.
To find out what herbicide to use, you will need to read the off label permit.
You can find the link to this permit on Council's online weed ID tool website.
For applying the herbicide, the equipment you will need is the herbicide, a measuring container, a small paint brush and some chemical resistant gloves.
This method requires the use of an oil soluble herbicide.
Read your label to make sure the herbicide is suitable.
In this case we will be using kerosene.
Estimate how much herbicide you will need, be conservative – it’s always easier to mix more later if you need it.
Read the label to find out the correct rate of herbicide to kerosene.
Measure out the required amount of kerosene.
Measure out the required amount of herbicide and add it to the container.
Agitate your mixture and you’re ready to go!
Starting at the base of each stem, paint all the way around each stem to a height of 300 millimetres.
To allow herbicide uptake, ensure the treated area is not disturbed for 24 hours.
Depending on the species, this technique can take up to two months to get results, but it’s worth it.
If it’s a large tree, falling branches can be a hazard.
We don’t recommend this method if falling branches could cause damage.
Last, but not least, it’s time for the clean up.
You need to dispose of excess herbicide in a pit.
Your disposal pit must be 50 metres away from a watercourse, avoid water logged areas and be inaccessible to children or pets.
The reason for using a disposal pit is to allow the herbicide to be broken down by the soil’s natural micro-organisms.
The size of the hole will depend on the amount of herbicide left over and the rinsings of the equipment that you need to dispose of.
Incorporate some of the lime with the soil in the bottom of the hole.
Then cover the bottom of the hole with about a centimetre of lime.
Wearing all your protective gear, carefully pour the herbicide into the hole.
Any containers or equipment used need to be triple rinsed and the rinsings added to the pit.
Cover the hole with at least 150 millimetres of dirt.
And then mark the spot.
And you’re done.
This video is only one of several weed control methods available.
To see the remaining methods head to Brisbane City Council’s website at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au