Invasive and Willow Control

Willow trees and invasive plants have resulted in significant damages to Hugo's trail system.  Roots come through the pavement and sprout up resulting in a very uneven trail surface.  Uneven trail surfaces are not desirable due to safety and accessibility concerns.  Damaged trails also erode and deteriorate more quickly due to normal factors.

Mowing and limited herbicide treatment have been used in the past for mitigation.  Mowing brush tends to cause the plants to respond by sending out multiple resprouts — the plant’s natural defense to the cutting. This only worsens the vegetation problem.  Mowing and tree removal will continue to happen in most areas of Hugo's trail system.  

The primary herbicide that will be used is Garlon 3A.  The active ingredient, triclopyr, disrupts the growth process within the plant by affecting enzymes unique to plants. Garlon 3A does not have a similar effect on animals or insects. It enters treated vegetation through leaves and uses the plant’s own transportation system to move into the roots and leaves. It induces rapid growth, which disrupts food production, and causes the plant to die from lack of nutrients.  

Professional crews have been contracted to apply the herbicides to areas identified as in need of treatment.  The herbicides will target specific areas and leave untreated buffer zones around stormwater ponds and plants and trees marked for protection.  

Herbicide treatments will occur in various locations along paved trails throughout Hugo.  It will take up to two weeks for application.  Signs will be placed at treated areas to alert trail users to the willow control efforts.  The herbicides dry in a short time and it is best to avoid skin contact with treated vegetation until it has dried.  

After application, the vegetation will die off and "brown".  After 30 days of browning, the vegetation will be mowed and trimmed.  

Additional willow tree removal is likely to occur in the winter to remove trees in targeted areas that were too large to be treated with herbicides.