MSU Extension Chestnuts

Weeds around young trees compete for soil moisture, nutrients, and sunlight, all which the tree needs for rapid growth. In the first year of planting, weeds can be eliminated by pre-planting chemical control, by hand weeding, tilling, surface mulching, etc. In the second year, and succeeding years, chemical herbicides can be applied to prevent weed growth. It is usually hazardous to use chemical weed control the first season because of possible injury to newly planted trees. Therefore, your weed control should start the year before your trees are placed in the ground. Maintaining young trees free of competition from weeds or sod is very important for the vigor of the tree. Weed-free trees will result in larger trees and a good opportunity to produce nuts on young trees. It has been shown repeatedly that maintaining weed-free conditions in an orchard will promote the production of increased nut yields as a result of increased of tree size.



Controlling weeds in an area 3 to 4 feet from the trunk is adequate for the first 3 years. As the tree becomes larger and its root system spreads over larger areas, weed control must be increased to an area larger than 4 ft from the trunk or at least to the drip-line of the tree. Good weed control also allows better evaluation of tree health and makes harvest easier. 

Most commercial chestnut growers will opt to control weeds with herbicides.  Herbicides are highly affordable and effective. However, herbicides can hurt trees (particularly young trees) and every effort should be made to avoid herbicides coming in contact with the trees, including trunks. Generally, trees gain herbicide tolerance with age. Trees growing in sandy soils, which are low in organic matter, are also more susceptible to soil-applied herbicides than trees growing on heavier, loamy soils as the risk for herbicide movement within the soil is greater. There are a limited number of herbicides registered for use on chestnut trees. Refer to the current Michigan Chestnut Management Guide for more information.

Pre-emergent
: Surflan (Oryzalin), 
Simazine (Princep)



Post-emergent
: Roundup Ultra (glyphosate)
, Gramoxone extra (paraquat). 

Pre-emergents are a class of herbicides that kill the germinating weed seeds that fall to soil and sprout. They will not kill established weeds.



Surflan (40.4 % a. i.) can be used safely on newly planted fruit trees after the soil has settled and no soil cracks are present which would provide an avenue to the root zone. It is effective in controlling annual grasses and many annual broad-leafed weeds. Its strength is in combination with gramoxone (formerly known as paraquat) or Roundup where the paraquat or Roundup will kill established weeds and then the Surflan will prevent weed regrowth. Rain or sprinkler irrigation are need to move Surflan into the weed seed germination zone. The water also activates the herbicide.



Simazine (90 % a. i.) is effective primarily on germinating, annual broad-leaf weeds and grasses. It can be combined with paraquat or Roundup to control already established weeds. This herbicide does not build up in the soil from annual application. Plant injury has been when applied on extremely sandy soils, therefore manipulating the rates of application on different types of soil is very important.

Emergent herbicides control plants that are already growing. Some will kill all plants and others are specific for type of plants.



Roundup (41 % a. i.) controls both annual and perennial weeds, grasses and broad leafed plants. It has a systemic quality in that it moves from the leaves to the roots. This is called translocation. This herbicide can cause serious damage to nut and fruit trees if contact occurs on any green tissue (leaves or shoots), or on young trunk bark. Apply only near trees that have been planted for 2 or more years. Be careful of material drifting to young green tissues of the trees. It can be used all year long, but you should attempt to use this to knock down the early weed load, before the trees break bud. This material works takes about 9 -12 hours to work on sunny days, but the weeds may take two weeks to die. You should notice a slight yellowing within a few days. If you mow the weeds before application, wait for the weeds to begin active growth for best uptake of the material. It does nothing by itself to prevent weed seeds from germinating.



Gramoxone extra (formerly known as paraquat [37 % a. i.]) provides rapid kill of annual and perennial weeds, and may be utilized in all fruit plantings. This material should be applied when weeds and grasses are succulents. It has no activity on the roots to prevent further weed growth and eventually many of the weed roots will send up shoots that will be evident in 30 to 40 days after application. Do not allow paraquat to contact foliage or areas of the trunk where bark has not formed. Painting trunks of young trees with latex paint or using tree guards lowers the possibility of injury.

Below, we have provided you with some information to help you choose and mix your herbicides.

Volume desired

Pounds per active ingredient (a.i.) per acre

Springtime treatment for orchards with established young trees with an existing weed problem—By following these simple steps, you can gain control over the weeds in your orchards. First, mow the weeds getting very close to the trunks of your trees. You may want to hand cut around the base of the trees. This is a good time to adjust tree guards or paint the trunks (since you are bending over near the trunks). About a week later, after weed growth has re-initiated, apply the herbicide in a directed spray at the weeds.  Growers might use Roundup-Surflan, Roundup-Simazine, Paraquat-Surflan or Paraquat-Simazine. Do not let the herbicide come in contact with any portion of the tree. Roundup and Gramoxone will kill current green tissue and Surflan and Simazine will kill germinating weeds seeds later, especially if used at least twice a year (early spring and middle of summer). In combination, these pre-emergent herbicides will reduce weed pressure.