There are several mechanical treatment control options available for invasive plants. Large machinery may be the most cost effective way to control some dense infestations of invasive trees and shrubs. Bush hogging, mulching, and mowing can remove large plants, preparing stumps and later new growth for herbicide. Great care should be exercised however, to minimize soil ruts, soild disturbance, and compation. All of these can not only hinder restoration, but also give additional opportunity for futher invasion. Chain saws, brush saws, hedge trimmers, and weed whips create less disturbance than heavy machinery. It is also critical to clean seeds and debris from equipment on-site at the end of each day to avoid spreading invasives. Weed wrenches or grubbing tools are useful on shallow- rooted species on days when the soil is moist, but the entire root system must be removed for this to effective otherwise the plants may resprout. …show more content…
Fire promotes native plant growth and wildlife habitat. Fire can sometimes effect the performance of or all out kill invasive plants. However, a fire management plan must coincide with chemical and mechanical treatments. There are some invasive species that fire management should never be practiced with. Japanese stiltgrass, Tree of Heaven, Oriental bittersweet and many more are actually stimulated by fire. For example fire can “cause oriental bittersweet to resprout and root sucker” (USGS Fire). Fire can be practiced with these plants, but managment of the appropriate times to do so must be observed. Fire, when used with other methods can be the fastest way to eradicate some invasive plant