Controlled
Burning
Photo Courtesy of:
http://www.cabq.gov/airquality/openburn.html
Controlled burning is not an effective method because most weed species can survive and resprout after a burn. Burning can be effective sometimes, though [research each noxious weed well before you choose to burn!]. When you pass a flame around a weed it boils the plant cell's water, making the cell burst. When any part of the stem is destroyed, the water and nutrients cannot get to the leaves, and the top part dies. Killing a weed requires only one-tenth of a second of high heat. When the weed goes from glossy to a matte texture, you are successful in killing that part (but, not always the parts below). It is best to use this control in spring and early summer when the weeds are young and tender and before they have matured their seeds. Weeds with tap roots and/or extensive root systems are very hard to damage with fire and are well adapted to it. (1,2)
See the chart at: http://mtwow.org/IPM-chart.htm .
Links:
Bibliography:
(1) Breitenfeldt, Todd. Whitehall High School Science Teacher, Whitehall High School, P.O. Box 1109, Whitehall, MT, 59759. Personal interview. 2-4-08.
(2) Dan Hickey. "Weed Control Flamers". Do It Yourself. 2007. National Gardening Association. 2/11/08. [http://www.doityourself.com/stry/wq].
By: Anna and Amy 2/14/08.
mtwow.org HOME Back to Cultural Control by Category
Photo Courtesy of:
http://www.cabq.gov/airquality/openburn.htmlControlled burning is not an effective method because most weed species can survive and resprout after a burn. Burning can be effective sometimes, though [research each noxious weed well before you choose to burn!]. When you pass a flame around a weed it boils the plant cell's water, making the cell burst. When any part of the stem is destroyed, the water and nutrients cannot get to the leaves, and the top part dies. Killing a weed requires only one-tenth of a second of high heat. When the weed goes from glossy to a matte texture, you are successful in killing that part (but, not always the parts below). It is best to use this control in spring and early summer when the weeds are young and tender and before they have matured their seeds. Weeds with tap roots and/or extensive root systems are very hard to damage with fire and are well adapted to it. (1,2)
See the chart at: http://mtwow.org/IPM-chart.htm .
Links:
Bibliography:
(1) Breitenfeldt, Todd. Whitehall High School Science Teacher, Whitehall High School, P.O. Box 1109, Whitehall, MT, 59759. Personal interview. 2-4-08.
(2) Dan Hickey. "Weed Control Flamers". Do It Yourself. 2007. National Gardening Association. 2/11/08. [http://www.doityourself.com/stry/wq].
By: Anna and Amy 2/14/08.
mtwow.org HOME Back to Cultural Control by Category