Why herbicides are used
The Longleaf Alliance notes that, in addition to prescribed fire, land managers use herbicides to manage competition on forest lands. In some situations—such as eliminating invasive exotic plants like cogongrass—selective herbicides may be the only tool that achieves successful results.
The “right chemical for the job”
The Longleaf Alliance emphasizes that herbicides are powerful tools and should be selected carefully. They recommend reading the label and confirming the active ingredient will not negatively impact planted longleaf and/or desirable native groundcover present in the treated area.
Safety & compliance note
This page is educational. Always follow label directions, PPE requirements, and local/state regulations. Consider professional guidance for herbicide selection and application, especially in restoration settings where groundcover diversity is a priority.