Imprelis herbicide may injure evergreens

Arborist Forum

Help Support Arborist Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

John Paul Sanborn

Above average climber
Joined
Apr 25, 2001
Messages
14,546
Reaction score
495
Location
South Eastern WI
There have been reports of damage to evergreens following the application of the turfgrass herbicide Imprelis (a.i. aminocyclopyrachlor).

Published June 16, 2011
del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook Google Reddit Spurl StumbleUpon Technorati TwitThis

Kevin Frank, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences

There have been several reports from both outside and within the state of Michigan of herbicide injury on Norway spruce and white pine following application of the turfgrass herbicide Imprelis (a.i. aminocyclopyrachlor). Damaged trees have symptoms consistent with growth regulator type herbicides. Injury includes curling and twisting of new growth. Pictures and comments of damage observed in Indiana can be viewed at Purdue Extension’s Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory website.

DuPont is in the process of investigating the issue and their initial conclusions indicate that in most cases, Imprelis was applied in combination with other pre- or post-emergence herbicides or liquid fertilizer. Most Imprelis applications have not resulted in damage to spruce or pine, but obviously cases of damage cause alarm when dealing with a newly released herbicide. DuPont advises to not apply Imprelis “where Norway spruce or white pine are present, or in close proximity to, the property to be treated.”

Furthermore, DuPont advises, “When applying Imprelis, be careful that no spray treatment, drift or runoff occurs that could make contact with trees, shrubs and other desirable plants, and stay well away from exposed roots and the rootzone of trees and shrubs.” The reported cases from Indiana indicate that this may not be a simple herbicide drift issue, but rather from root uptake. If that is the case, it would be critical to keep applications away from the rootzones of non-target trees and ornaments. As with any pesticide application, always make sure to read and follow label directions.
 
Thanks for that note. I don't use the stuff, but that sounds like a market-killer to me. If I see it on a tree, that will certainly help to know about. Your note does not indicate whether is killing the plants, or just curling them for a while.



"stay well away from exposed roots and the rootzone of trees and shrubs" !

HAH! I don't see that happening in any normal lawn application regimen.
 
Last edited:
2-4D and Dicamba will cause similar damage to Norway Spruce.
 
Back
Top