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Rhinebeck trustees weigh herbicide, removal strategies for invasive "tree of heaven"
Summary
Board discussed control options for the invasive tree of heaven in village parks and rights-of-way, including cut-stump, hack-and-squirt and bark applications; trustees flagged state certification requirements for herbicide use and recommended seeking quotes and budgeting for work next year.
The Village Board discussed strategies to remove and control the invasive tree of heaven (also called "tree of hell" in meeting remarks) during the Oct. 14 meeting after staff reported the highway department could no longer perform the work in-house.
A staff member summarized three approaches: the cut-stump method for larger trees (cut the trunk and treat the stump with herbicide), the "hack-and-squirt" method applied mid-to-late summer to trees over 1 inch in diameter with downward cuts into the stem, and an "upward bark" or bark-paint application for trees under 1 inch in diameter. The staff member said resources from Penn State recommended glyphosate or triclopyr for treatments and noted both are not thought to move extensively into soil when applied as recommended.
Trustees noted New York law requires certified applicators for herbicide use in parks and municipal properties, so the village would need certified staff or a contractor. Board members recommended collecting quotes for contractor-applied treatments and budgeting the work for next year; several trustees also suggested the village could revisit doing the work in-house if a certified staff member is later available.
The staff member said one tree in the mini-park had grown into overhead wires and would not be suitable for in-house cutting, and that a solid strip of infestations along Rockefeller Lane covered several hundred feet of municipal property. A trustee also raised spotted lanternfly concerns and said tree of heaven is a preferred host species.
Ending: No formal motion was recorded. Trustees directed staff to solicit contractor quotes, confirm property ownership for specific infestation areas and plan to budget for removal/control work in the next fiscal year; treatments likely will proceed in the appropriate season.
