Overview
Bracken is a widespread, vigorous fern which is found throughout the world. It can also out compete and kill seedlings when mature trees are removed, and can harbour disease carrying insects. It is therefore often considered a nuisance weed that needs to be managed.
Non-chemical methods are not always practical or effective, and the herbicide ‘asulam’, which was widely utilised to control bracken, is no longer approved for use in Europe.
We tested the efficacy and tree tolerance of the herbicide amidosulfuron*, in combination with different spray adjuvants, as possible alternatives for controlling bracken infestations in woodland.
We found that where crop trees are otherwise likely to die or be severely suppressed, amidosulfuron plus Mixture B NF® adjuvant, may be a suitable replacement for the use of asulam to control bracken in recently planted stands of certain tree species.
*Currently amidosulfuron is not approved for use in forestry situations, and there is some uncertainty over the future availability of any amidosulfuron products in the UK beyond 2028.