North Shenandoah Mountain NNIS

This contract will hire a qualified contractor to apply herbicide through directed foliar application to non-native invasive species throughout the understory of forested stands, and recently cut stands. Treatments will focus on mile-a-minute vine (Polygonum perfoliatum), Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), non-native thistles, and non-native honeysuckle species. Mile-a-minute vine (MAM) is easy to recognize and has a very distinctive triangular leaf, and spines along the vine stem. Units 2-3 are infested with large patches of MAM vine at varying densities, ranging from 10% infestation in some areas, up to 75% infestation in others. Autumn olive, Japanese stiltgrass, multiflora rose, thistles, and non-native honeysuckles species occur in varying densities throughout the forested stands and along road/unit edges. These non-native invasive plant species (NNIS) may grow on streambanks or near spring, seeps, and saturated soil. Special precautions must be taken to switch to a tank mixture labeled for aquatic use in these circumstances.

Portions of units accessible from roadsides would be most efficiently treated with directed foliar application from a larger mix tank with boom sprayer/hose attached to a UTV, tractor, or truck. Areas of units unreachable by these means must be treated with directed foliar application by hand with backpack sprayers. MAM vine, Autumn olive, and honeysuckles have waxy leaves, so it is important to use a non-ionic surfactant (e.g. ‘Alligare 90’ or methylated seed oil MSO) per label guidelines in all tank mixes. Mixes without appropriate amounts of surfactant may not penetrate waxy leafed plants.

Base and 4 option year contract is antcipated