Honey Locust stand

Honey Locust pods

Honey Locust thorn

Brush control is an important and often overlooked aspect of pasture management. Encroaching trees and brush can and will reduce grazing opportunities and forage quality for both livestock and wildlife. Over time, these invaders will decrease carrying capacity on once-productive pastures.

About Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
Honey locust is a native tree that is found across the Noble Foundation service area. Benefits of the honey locust include forage for wildlife and livestock and the shade provided by mature trees. However, this tree has become a "thorn in the side" of many land managers and has the potential to take over a productive pasture in just a few years. Locusts are best known for large thorns that have the ability to wreak havoc on tires. Honey locusts are well adapted to many different soil and habitat types. These trees are common in recently cleared areas and fallow fields.

For additional information about honey locust.

Controlling Honey Locust
Prescribed burning is an effective tool for controlling locust sprouts and regrowth. In addition to controlling the younger trees, prescribed burning can encourage desirable plants while decreasing many undesirable species. In areas you plan to chemically treat, do not use prescribed burning the year prior to treatment, because the burn will decrease the effectiveness of the chemical treatment.

Chemical Controls
Grazon P+D: High-volume foliar treatment of individual plants
Apply 1 gallon Grazon P+D and 1 to 2 quarts surfactant per 100 gallons of spray mix. Spray to thoroughly wet foliage in the spring when leaves are fully expanded and mature.

Grazon P+D: Broadcast application
Apply 1 gallon Grazon P+D per acre in sufficient volume to provide adequate coverage. Use a non-ionic surfactant (or other suitable spray adjuvant) at 0.25-0.5% v/v (volume:volume = %surfactant X total mix). Apply in spring when leaves are fully expanded and mature.

Remedy: High-volume foliar treatment of individual plants
Ground application of 1 to 2 quarts Remedy alone or in combination with 2 pounds 2,4-D per 100 gallons of spray mix. Apply sufficient spray volume to thoroughly wet all leaves, stems and root collars after the rapid growth period of early spring when leaf tissue is fully expanded and terminal growth has slowed. Brush regrowth should be at least 4 feet tall prior to treatment to ensure adequate foliage for herbicide absorption.

Remedy: Cut stump treatment
Apply 1 part Remedy to 3 parts diesel to the sides of the fresh cut stump and outer portion of the cut surfaces including the cambium, ring of growing tissue under the bark, in a manner which thoroughly wets the stem and root collar area, but not to the point of runoff.

Velpar L: Basal treatment
Apply Velpar L undiluted with an exact-delivery handgun applicator. Apply 2 to 4 milliliters for each inch of trunk diameter at breast height. Direct the treatment to the soil within about 3 inches of the root collar.