When it comes to controlling weeds around your newly planted trees, the question often arises: is hand releasing enough? The answer is not straightforward, as it depends on various factors such as plant species, site conditions, and seasonal timing.
Hand Releasing vs. Chemical Releasing
In some situations, hand releasing can be sufficient. For certain species and specific sites, removing weeds by hand can keep your plants safe from competition. If you can effectively clear enough grass away from your plants at the right times of the year, hand releasing can be a viable option.
However, we generally prefer chemical releasing for several reasons:
Effectiveness: Chemical releasing is more effective at killing the grass around your plants. This method ensures the grass is knocked down and stays down for a longer period, reducing competition that can harm your young trees.
Longevity: By laying the grass down and mulching around the plant, chemical releasing provides a longer-lasting solution, creating a healthier environment for your plants to thrive.
Consistency: While some species may tolerate hand releasing, others are more susceptible to being overrun by grass. Chemical releasing offers a reliable, consistent method for ensuring plant survival and growth.
Our Approach
For the best results, we often combine both methods. We start with a bit of hand releasing to get the grass away from the plant. Then, we follow up with chemical releasing to ensure a thorough and lasting weed control. This dual approach creates the perfect well for the plant, fostering a healthy ecosystem for it to grow in. Once the plant is established and has grown above the grass, it will be more resilient and able to thrive on its own.
While hand releasing can work in some cases, it typically requires ongoing effort and may not provide the same reliable results as chemical releasing. For us, chemical releasing is the preferred method due to its effectiveness and the longer period of reduced competition it offers. By combining hand and chemical releasing, we create the best conditions for our plants to grow strong and healthy.
