How to determine payment for managing? How to get rid of Japan Grass?
The tracts are 150 ac, 250 ac and 500 ac. We are working into a rotation so that we cut or thin between about 30 to 50 acres on one of the LLC's every one or two years to keep some income coming in from the LLC's. We will clear cut most - but not all - of these properties as well as thin and replant the areas that are clear cut. We also lease all of the lands to hunt clubs.
We have a large creek through our property which is where the Japan Grass seems to get a foot hold. We have not been able to kill it with roundup, so wonder if there is another cover that will crowd it out?
Dear Jon and Babs,
Thank you for your questions! My only other suggestion might be to try and reach out to other foresters in your area to discuss their own points of reference on what kind of basis you should be using.
In regards to Japanese stiltgrass we reached out to expert Janet Fryer for her advice. This is what she had to say:
I don't know what part of the country this creek is located or what the owned is managing this property for, so it's difficult to recommend an alternative grass that might crowd the stiltgrass out. This is a very difficult weed to control. Without knocking back the stiltgrass with herbicide first, I doubt that trying to replace it with another grass would be successful. There are a few other herbicides that the owner might try if glyphosate isn't working, but since this is a riparian area, extra caution is needed to avoid contaminating the creek. I'd recommend that this landowner contact his or her local Agricultural Extension Office for help about selecting herbicides to use in a riparian area, herbicide concentrations, and possible alternative plantings. This might help, as well:
http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/micvim/all.html#ImpactsAndControl
We hope this helps!
Daniel Hubbell