1. Prescribed fire - use of fire in controlled situation

   Advantages
   

   • natural part of forest
   • needed to maintain some plant communities
   • works well on steep slopes where access is difficult

   Disadvantages
   

   • can be difficult in hot, dry, or windy weather, on wet sites, or where fuel is insufficient
   • can cause soil erosion and nutrient loss, reduce soil organic matter, and decrease water quality
   • may encourage other undesirable plants to invade site
   • non-selective
   • provides only short-term control
   • major planning involved
   • risk of excape

2. Mechanical cutting - tractors or skidders with cutting attachments

   Advantages
   

   • can combine with site preparation
   • less labor intensive than manual methods
   • can be used most of the year

   Disadvantages
   

   • can make weed problems worse if done improperly or at wrong time of year
   • can damage site by compacting the soil, causing erosion, removing the organic layer

3. Manual cutting - hand-held equipment, may be powered

   Advantages
   

   • selective - can be used to cut individual stems
   • little effect on soil, site, or water
   • creates employment
   • socially acceptable

   Disadvantages
   

   • labor intensive
   • expensive
   • provides only short-term control
   • worker safety is an issue

4. Mulches - material (plastic, wood chips, cardboard, newspaper) applied around the base of trees.

   Advantages
   

   • applied at time of planting
   • only affects area directly around planted trees
   • little effect on soil, site, or water
   • only alternative when grass control required
   • creates employment
   • socially acceptable

   Disadvantages
   

   • labor intensive
   • expensive
   • often requires maintenance
   • may not control shrubs
   • may reduce aesthetics of site

5. Cover crops - seeding non-crop plants, often legumes or clover

   Advantages
   

   • erosion control
   • may improve soil nutrients
   • may provide forage for wildlife
   • socially acceptable

   Disadvantages
   

   • introducing non-native vegetation
   • may compete with trees
   • may increase rodent damage to crop
   • difficult to establish
   • wildlife habitat altered
   • seed may be expensive or difficult to obtain

6. Grazing - livestock (sheep)

   Advantages
   

   • can generate revenue
   • socially acceptable

   Disadvantages
   

   • timing is critical
   • potential for damage to desired trees
   • restricted to certain types of sites or species
   • can be expensive
   • can damage riparian zones and reduce water quality
   • major planning involved
   • possible disease transmission to native wildlife

7. Biological control - natural predators or plant pathogens, fungi, viruses, bacteria, insects

   Advantages
   

   • highly selective
   • natural part of the forest

   Disadvantages
   

   • registration process necessary
   • environmental effects unclear
   • may be too selective in some cases

8. Herbicides - synthetic chemicals

   Advantages
   

   • relatively low financial cost
   • can treat large areas quickly
   • can be used selectively on ground

   Disadvantages
   

   • can only be applied at certain times of the year - restricted in forest
   • strong public opposition
   • often harmful to ecosystem

Copyright (c) 1997-98 OLIFE -- Oregonians for Labor Intensive Forest Economics.
All rights reserved.