Texas Spring/Summer Thread

[txdon]

texasjohn, I do not have an applicators license. Can I get one over the internet? is it that toxic to humans? Do I have to wear full protective clothing and what sort of mask? I'm guessing there is no organic herbicide that works. Thanks!

 

[sseelhoff]

Reclaim or Remedy are the only two effectine herbacides. Both are expensive but work, I have used both. One is a foliar application, the other is applied to the stem/trunk. Use dye in either mix to avoid missing plants or double coverage. Now is the right time for Reclaim...right now and for next 5 weeks or so. Texas Brush Busters has the formula.

Mesquite « Texas Natural Resources Server

Both are very specific to mesquite, will not harm other plants. If you wish, PM me with questions. Do you have an applicator's license?

We used Remedy last year. Mixed with diesel. Worked well. Applying more this summer to another area.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Txdon I attended a 8hr class and took a test at the end to get my liscence and within the 4yrs need to attend classes to keep it,if you do not get your credits you will not be able to re-test for a year.
Just as with any chemical need to keep it off your skin,read the labels,its not all that bad just add the mixuter in a sprayer soak the tree down around 12inches up. Remedy doesn't need a liscence and small qunity of some like 2-4d also doesn't. Adding diesel like mentioned helps,I aways add Dawn when spraying my pastures.

 

[Western]

Don, we bought Remedy at TSC. Worked good mixed with Diesel, but digging them up was faster although more surface destructive.
I had a older neighbor that cut them off then applied the mixture, said he didn't want drying thorns all over his pasture (he piled and burned the tops) I liked his idea, I burned the ones I dug also. I think those thorns can sit there 100 years:laughing:

 

[texasjohn]

texasjohn, I do not have an applicators license. Can I get one over the internet? is it that toxic to humans? Do I have to wear full protective clothing and what sort of mask? I'm guessing there is no organic herbicide that works. Thanks!

Reclaim is restricted, Remedy is not. Unsure of the difference except Reclaim (my preferred mesquite killer) is a foliar spray thus much more likely to drift than the specific application to tree stems of remedy. The license is obtained only by taking a class ...usually on a Sat. and offered only a couple times a year by the soil conservation folks...or at least they would know exactly who gives the class in your area and when it is next.

Protective gear...gloves, rubber apron, eye shield, etc is always a good idea when handling chemicals. I always do. When spraying, do so by staying up wind from the spray and keep drips/spray off of skin, shoes, etc...the safety police have good best practices that are worth following. I have not ever had any ill effects from spraying although Reclaim has on rare occasions misted back on me and I can taste it immediately (touches skin, gives strange taste sensation...kinda metallic).

There is absolutely NO other herbacide that works. Anyone tell you differently, do not believe them.

I wear a painter's fiber mask.

You want to go organic...ONLY way is to DIG them up, including ALL roots within 1 foot of the surface. There are root buds that WILL sprout if you don't dig them up, pile them and burn.

Will send you a PM.

 

[jinman]

What about Reclaim and Remedy with runoff that goes into ponds/steams? For example, I just bought and used some nutgrass killer called Sedge Ender and it says it is very poisonous for fish in ponds. I won't use it anywhere near one of my ponds. The good news is it works very well.

 

[Bird]

I attended a 8hr class and took a test at the end to get my liscence

Of course I've never taken that class and test, so I don't know how tough it is. I had figured it wouldn't be too tough, but a neighbor down in Navarro County took the class and then failed the test.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Of course I've never taken that class and test, so I don't know how tough it is. I had figured it wouldn't be too tough, but a neighbor down in Navarro County took the class and then failed the test.

You can get the book before hand(I found that out when got in class) and study(also has a practice exam with it) I would say its hard enough where someone is going to have to study the material or already have hands on and not just walking in and guessing and pass it.

 

[Western]

Sometimes I wonder if the person that writes the test, actually reviews the curriculum:laughing: I have taken many "classes" did well in the course, but when taking the test, it looked to be in French:laughing:

Bird, I graduated 2nd in the LEO Academy and sweated bullets while taking the TCLEOSE exam in Austin:laughing: The instructors where right, the curricula works only in the field!!

Looks like us North Texans may be into some rain!! Jim, make sure your windows are down and the tiller is out, we cant mess this one up:laughing:

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Update on property appraisal. My father in law blamed my Mother in law and she blamed him for displacing and forgetting about the form they mailed them. She noted that it was buried on "his desk". Anyway we met up there early and went in and low and behold, one of the top people there is a friend from the church we joined just over a year ago. I explained what happened and he said "Just hurry and fill out the form and return it". Also, he said "Kyle, what percentage is actually a hayfield and what percentage is covered in trees?" I said it's probably 70% hayfield but with all the dead trees we have, it may end up closer to 90%. I told him we haven't fertilized due to the drought for years and that we didn't even have a good enough cutting last year to bale. He says that's the story all over the county. He said to write down on the form the percentage expected to be hayed. I guess the rest gets charged the high tax rate. So, watch out tree huggers, I might be cutting down a few more trees if they don't die first from the drought. (Probably won't happen) My FIL prefers the trees over hay bales.

Word to my tractor brethren and sistren: Join the church where you local appraisal peeps attend.