Tom A. Royer IPM Coordinator and Extension Entomologist Oklahoma State University IPM for Right-of-Way Vegetation Management Oklahoma Vegetation Management.

Tom A. RoyerIPM Coordinator and Extension Entomologist

Oklahoma State University

IPM for Right-of-Way Vegetation Management

Oklahoma Vegetation Management Association Conference and Trade Show

IPM? IVM? What’s the Difference

In rights-of-way (ROW), the primary pest management concern is vegetation

IVM uses all the principles of IPM (comprehensive, economical, environmentally responsible) to manage non-compatible vegetation

ROW Targets

'Non-compatible vegetation' include tree species and noxious/invasive species that will impact ROW or adjacent properties

It does not mean total vegetation management It does try to maintain a plant community that is

least disruptive to wildlife, fisheries and human activity

IVM Goals

‘Managed succession’ to develop tree-resistant, sustainable plant communities

Impact target vegetation without injuring desirable vegetation - maintain cover

Accomplish with minimal $

Wire Zone - Border ZoneWire Zone - Border Zone

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herbaceous, or very low growing woody species

herbaceous, or very low growing woody species

herbaceous, shrubs, small tree species

herbaceous, shrubs, small tree species

herbaceous, shrubs, small tree species

herbaceous, shrubs, small tree species

Courtesy of Art Glover, Pennsylvania State University

Identify plant, life cycle, habitat Combine IVM methods

1. Cultural2. Biological3. Ecological 4. Mechanical5. Chemical

IVM Management Techniques

Cultural

Competitive, native plants– highly desired– plant succession force– naturally perpetuating wildflower meadow (rare in

eastern OK, common in western OK)– need research to identify desirable species

Biological Methods

Insects (thistle weevil) Pathogens - Myrothecium verrucaria Grazing animals (geese, goats, live mowers) Competitive/compatible plants

Classical Biological Control

Limited to high-impact species, usually exotic and invasive– Purple loosestrife– Musk thistle– Salt Cedar– Field Bindweed

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Archives , Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, www.invasive.org

Ecological Control

Overlap of Cultural and Biological control concepts Programmed release of compatible plant species to

provide a competitive plant community to inhibit spread of non-compatible plant species

Mechanical Methods

Necessary in ‘reclamation’ situations Expensive Non-selective - all vegetation impacted Doesn’t change plant community - mowed brush

comes back as brush Habitat impacts

Herbicide - chemical that is used to control, suppress or kill non-compatible plants (weeds).

Chemical Methods

1. Assessing Species Composition and Ecosystem characteristics

2. Setting Objectives3. Compiling Treatment Options4. Accounting for Economic and Environmental

Effects5. Implementation6. Adaptive Management and Monitoring

Implementing an IVM program (Nowak and Ballard, 2005)

Herbicides

Selective or non-selective products Application method can determine selectivity Can promote release of native plants through

selective (physiological, or application) approaches Less costly than other VM methods Usually provides longer control

Herbicide Disadvantages

Require application by certified personnel, require compliance with aspects of the Right to Know act.

They kill plants, and can cause problems with non-target plants via drift.– Weaken them, allowing for diseases and insects to gain

a foothold.

Herbicide Drift Can Weaken Trees and Make Them Susceptible to Borers and Disease

Borers– Flatheaded wood borers– Roundheaded wood borers– Clearwinged borers– Ambrosia beetles and other

bark beetles

Herbicide Drift Can Weaken Trees and Make Them Susceptible to Borers and Disease

Borers– Flatheaded wood borers– Roundheaded wood borers– Clearwinged borers– Ambrosia beetles and other

bark beetles

Emerald Ash Borer

Flatheaded borers– Emerald ash borer*

adult about ½ inch, dark metallic green

– Introduced from Asia, kills living ash trees, seems to be limited to ash as a host.

Shade Tree Insect Management

Emerald Ash Borer– Damage is first recognized

by dieback of upper third of tree, followed by full death, or abundance of suckering at base of tree.

– Beetle activity causes galleries, and girdling of tree.

Shade Tree Insect Management

Emerald Ash Borer:

– Two issues: EAB is spreading rapidly.

– Firewood quarantine is in place, but how well is it being enforced?

Shade Tree Insect Management

Round-headed borers– Asian Longhorned beetle

Arrived in US from packing material in Chinese imports (pallets)

Size 1-1 ¼ inches, with long antennae

Lay eggs in oval pits that the female creates. 1 generation per year

Larvae feed on inner bark, then move to heartwood.

Attacks healthy maples, poplars, willows etc. Prefer maples.

Shade Tree Insect Management

Ambrosia bark beetle– Biology:

Adults can be active year-round during warm periods, but most activity has been observed in spring.

They mate, lay eggs and rear young within the galleries excavated by the female. Prefer 2-30 cm diameter stems.

Shade Tree Insect Management

Ambrosia bark beetle– Biology:

All life stages can be found inside the galleries. Females can fly to other trees, males cannot fly.

Will feed on pecan, plum cherry persimmon, redbud sweet gum and others.

Several generations per year.

Shade Tree Insect Management

Ambrosia bark beetle– Damage

Adults and larvae bore into twigs, branches and small trunks of woody hosts. They excavate a system of tunnels, and begin culturing an ambrosia fungus for food.

Girdle infested wood, make toothpick-like spines of sawdust that protrude from host.

1. As they apply and assess their IVM programs, they are in a critical position to become first detectors for invasives!

IVM Practitioners can be first responders!

1. Assessing Species Composition and Ecosystem characteristics

Implementing an IVM program (Nowak and Ballard, 2005)

Assessing Species Composition and Ecosystem characteristics

– You need to know what is going to be involved with the plant community and note any ecologically sensitive conditions that need to be accounted for

Implementing an IVM program (Nowak and Ballard, 2005)

1. Assessing Species Composition and Ecosystem characteristics

2. Setting Objectives

Implementing an IVM program (Nowak and Ballard, 2005)

Setting Objectives:– Be transparent with stakeholders

Explain need for keeping vegetation from contact with power line

– Objectives should be compatible with type of vegetation, location, plant ecosystem and population density of people.

Implementing an IVM program (Nowak and Ballard, 2005)

1. Assessing Species Composition and Ecosystem characteristics

2. Setting Objectives

3. Compiling Treatment Options (building a play book)

Implementing an IVM program (Nowak and Ballard, 2005)

Compiling Treatment Options– Should reflect accurate assessment of plant

ecosystem and other objectives– Should include as many options as is

economically feasible, especially in ecologically sensitive areas

Implementing an IVM program (Nowak and Ballard, 2005)

1. Assessing Species Composition and Ecosystem characteristics

2. Setting Objectives

3. Compiling Treatment Options

4. Accounting for Economic and Environmental Effects

Implementing an IVM program (Nowak and Ballard, 2005)

Accounting for Economic and Environmental Effects

– Should get from stakeholder buy-in as well as from research on regulations and needs of area.

Implementing an IVM program (Nowak and Ballard, 2005)

1. Assessing Species Composition and Ecosystem characteristics

2. Setting Objectives

3. Compiling Treatment Options

4. Accounting for Economic and Environmental Effects

5. Implementation

Implementing an IVM program (Nowak and Ballard, 2005)

Resources for Learning More………

Aboriculture and Urban Forestry online http://joa.isa-arbor.com/ Walvatne, Paul (ed.). 1996. How to Develop and Implement an

Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Program. The National Roadside Vegetation Management Association, Newark, Delaware.

National Roadside Vegetation Management Association http://www.nrvma.org/ offers certification information affiliation with state associations.

Oklahoma Vegetation Management Association http://www.okvma.net/demo/ A great source for information, opportunities for professional development

Tom A. RoyerIPM Coordinator and Extension Entomologist

Oklahoma State University

IPM for Right-of-Way Vegetation Management

Oklahoma Vegetation Management Association Conference and Trade Show

Tom A. RoyerIPM Coordinator and Extension Entomologist

Oklahoma State University

IPM for Right-of-Way Vegetation Management