The Wildland Weed Management project has developed factsheets and bulletins providing information on elements of habitat management, specific recommendations for invasive plant species control, and guidance on the use of herbicides in wildland settings.
Invasive Species QuickSheets
QuickSheets are two-page documents developed with PA DCNR-State Parks to provide specific control recommendations for the most common invasive plant species in natural areas. The primary audience for these sheets is natural resource professionals, who would have access to the equipment and materials described.
PDF document, 265.2 KB
Knotweed is a rhizomatous forb that grows in dense, towering, monocultures, particularly in riparian corridors. This sheet provides the management approach and prescriptions to control Japanese knotweed and its congeners giant knotweed (Fallopia sachalinense) and Bohemian knotweed (Fallopia x bohemica).
PDF document, 262.2 KB
This sheet describes the management approach and prescriptions to manage common reed, more commonly known as phragmites. Phragmites is a tall (8+ feet), rhizomatous, cool-season grass that grows in monocultures in wetland areas. The species is native to the northern hemisphere, including North America. However, exotic genotypes native to Europe and Asia are highly invasive in the eastern and central U.S.
PDF document, 255.1 KB
The term 'exotic shrub' covers dozens of invasive species, including such notables as multiflora rose, autumn olive, shrub honeysuckles, Japanese barberry, privets, and the buckthorns. This sheet describes a general management approach and specific prescriptions to control most any of these exotic species.
PDF document, 191.4 KB
Stiltgrass is an annual, warm-season, shade tolerant grass native to East Asia that is highly problematic in forest and other natural settings. This sheet describes the management approach and prescriptions for control.
PDF document, 176.8 KB
Tree-of-heaven, or ailanthus, is a highly invasive, suckering tree species native to east Asia. Ailanthus is fast-growing, and will grow in sidewalk cracks, sun-baked subsoil, as well as verdant sites. This sheet describes the management approach and prescriptions to keep this pest in check.
PDF document, 212.1 KB
Purple loosestrife is an herbaceous perennial that chokes wetlands and shores. It has prominent lavender blooms, and was introduced as an ornamental as well as accidentally through ship's ballast. This sheet describes the management approach and prescriptions for control.
PDF document, 209.2 KB
Mile-a-minute is a spiny, annual vine native to east Asia that can reach lengths of 20 feet. Since its introduction in York County in the late 30's, its spread covers North Carolina to Ohio to Massachusetts. This sheet details the management approach and prescriptions to control mile-a-minute.
PDF document, 216.6 KB
There are a number of invasive biennial species, including garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), and common teasel (Dipsacus fullonum). This sheet covers the management approach and prescriptions to control weedy biennials in natural area settings.
PDF document, 208.6 KB
The label 'woody vines' covers a number of invasive species, including Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), kudzu (Pueraria montana), porcelainberry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata), and Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis). This advisory outlines the management approach and prescriptions to control any invasive woody vine.
Natural Resource Management Factsheets
This series was developed with PA DCNR-State Parks staff, to detail approaches and operational techniques to manage natural areas with an emphasis on optimizing habitat value.
PDF document, 680.0 KB
Focusing on enhancing early successional habitat, or 'young forest', is a useful framework to maintain the natural resources of Pennsylvania State Parks. Young Forest and the wildlife species that need it are threatened by development, invasive species, and changing land use. This fact sheet describes the benefits and introduces the management approaches to enhance and maintain young forest.
PDF document, 1.4 MB
This bulletin reviews management priorities and operations to maintain and improve Young Forest habitat. An Integrated Pest Management apporoach is emphasized, focusing on clear objectives; integrating multiple approaches such as cultural, mechanical, biological, and herbicides; and ongoing monitoring and evaluation.
PDF document, 823.6 KB
Herbicides are an important tool in habitat management, and a lot of work can be accomplished with simple equipment and a limited number of products. This advisory provides an overview of the herbicides and application methods most useful for natural resource management.
PDF document, 303.1 KB
Mowing lawn areas of a park can easily become a 'black hole' that devours staff time at the expense of other operations. By following simple guidelines that accommodate how grass grows, the operational aspects of mowing, and desires of park visitors, you can provide a pleasing landscape with less effort.
Working Lands Factsheets
'Working Lands' describes areas in or adjacent to agriculture, whether it's row crops, forage, pasture and range, or forestry. These advisories were develope with support from USDA-NRCS, and are targeted to landowners enrolled in conservation programs such the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).
PDF document, 380.1 KB
This sheet provides a quick overview of what makes Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) such a troublesome weed, and control prescriptions suitable for sites enrolled in conservation programs.
PDF document, 355.6 KB
This sheet reviews the characteristics and control methods for multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) in conservation reserve settings.
PDF document, 356.2 KB
A concise review of the biology of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and methods to control it in conservation reserve settings.
PDF document, 425.6 KB
A brief review of the growth habits of Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and its kin, giant knotweed (Fallopia sachalinense) and the hybrid Bohemian knotweed (Fallopia bohemica).
PDF document, 477.9 KB
This factsheet provides an overview of the biology and control of the troublesome biennial weed common teasel (Dipsacus fullonum).
PDF document, 325.7 KB
Weed control in riparian forest buffers is critical to successful establishment. This factsheet reviews timings and prescriptions to suppress undesirable vegetation in newly planted buffers.
Technical Notes Series
'Technical Notes' break natural resource management issues into operational concepts small enough to address in two pages. These are developed with PA DCNR-State Parks staff, and emphasize issues faced managing state park lands, but the issues are relevant to all natural lands managers.
PDF document, 203.8 KB
The rules regarding pesticide application in PA State Parks and other public lands are definitive, but not always clearly understood. In this document we define categories of pesticide applicators and conditions under which they may apply pesticides.
PDF document, 187.7 KB
Herbicides are one of many useful approaches for managing vegetation. Most natural resource and facility maintenance herbicide objectives can be accomplished with a small number of products. Here, we detail a range of application methods and settings, and the products to achieve your vegetation management goals.
PDF document, 301.0 KB
Using Live Stakes, which are unrooted stem cuttings of certain woody plants, is an inexpensive and effective way to revegetate stream banks and other riparian areas. This document describes what they are, how they work, and how to plant and care for them.
Other Publications
Pesticide applicator training publications and other related topics.
PDF document, 1.5 MB
This booklet describes basic and specific characteristics of herbicides used for non-crop sites, site and environmental considerations, and application technology.
PDF document, 115.9 KB
This document describes a reduced-arithmetic calibration method known as "ounces to gallons", or using a test area of 1/128 acre so that collected spray measured in ounces translates directly to gallons sprayed per acre.
