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Alex
Member
| Joined: | Mon Jul 25th, 2005 |
| Location: | Florida USA |
| Posts: | 7 |
| Mana: |  |
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Posted: Fri Jun 2nd, 2006 03:34 am |
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I was wondering if anyone had any information on using these chemicals to keep the area cleared around newly planted seedlings? I am into my second year of planting trees on my finca, and my worker recommended using this to keep growth down around young trees. I do not really want to spray chemicals all over my finca, especially as I am on a river. He says the heavy rains will wash it all away (down into the river I am thinking... ) causing no harm. Is this a feasible solution to the good old machete?
Can it be used safely, and what precautions are necessary. Thanks in advance.
Alex
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Fred Morgan
Sponsor
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Posted: Fri Jun 2nd, 2006 09:54 am |
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Yes there are, and it is a very bad idea. We had it suggested by a forestry engineer, but it is a great way to kill the life of the soil.
Trees don't feed directly, normally they need to have the nutrients broken down by fungus. Start using herbicides and you will start having to dump fertilizers.
Chopping weeds with a machete isn't fun, but it is worth it. You only need to use the machete within the drip edge - between the rows, you can use something bigger (industrial weed wackers, or brush hog if you aren't very steep.)
If you use herbicides, you probably will save labor, but you will probably lose growth too. We use herbicides only when first planting - especially to get rid of the african grass that they plant for the cows.
Even that doesn't totally kill it - we just keep mowing it, and it keeps dying back - but it is a battle for sure.
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Alex
Member
| Joined: | Mon Jul 25th, 2005 |
| Location: | Florida USA |
| Posts: | 7 |
| Mana: | |
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Posted: Fri Jun 2nd, 2006 12:49 pm |
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Yes, I was worried about it...I am in a steep area, so manual labor or a weed wacker will have to do. I have one full time worker, but looks like I may need some seasonal help coming up. My finca is small, but several thousand trees is still a bit of work.
My Caoba is doing great by the way, no shoot borers. I interspersed several hundred in last years planting; seems to help. I planted some Madero negro in between my Cacao as well. Locals say it is only good for fence posts, but a local tree farm is planting it with some success.
Anyways, thanks for the quick reply.
Alex
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Fred Morgan
Sponsor
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Posted: Fri Jun 2nd, 2006 03:07 pm |
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I hope your caoba makes it. Once it is more than 20 feet tall - you are home free, but not till then. Normally there is no problem until they are taller than 1 meter.
Madero Negro is a good wood I believe, if it is grown from seed - however, if it is started from fence post - it won't grow straight. I think I am right on this.
Some of you might not know this - but caoba is mahogany.
What density did you plant?
Alex, I forget, where are you located?
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Alex
Member
| Joined: | Mon Jul 25th, 2005 |
| Location: | Florida USA |
| Posts: | 7 |
| Mana: | |
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Posted: Fri Jun 2nd, 2006 04:35 pm |
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Hey Fred, my finca is in the Southern Pacific region. Between San Isidro and Dominical to be more exact. Many tree farms in my area. Cedro and Teak seem to be the favorite species amongst them. The Caoba was planted late last season, so we will see how it turns out...
The Madero Negro was bought from the Tec in Cartago, all from seed. A friend here in the US does high end homes and voiced an interest in it, so it was planted mainly out of curiosity and it's leguminous properties near the cacao.
I planted at a density of 4m x 4m - a bit more spread out than usual. I chose a mixed planting vs. monoculture, and as i am on a hill this was recommended by a local engineer.
I also agree with your thoughts on thinning and as I am not a huge finca did not want all the extra labor for the fence posts
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