How many weeks before cutting should trees and brush receive a basil spray treatment to prevent regrowth?

The use of a basal spray treatment is a common method for controlling unwanted tree and brush regrowth after cutting. This technique involves applying herbicide to the lower portion of the plant’s stem, where it can be absorbed and transported throughout the plant to inhibit regrowth effectively.

The recommended time frame for applying a basal spray treatment is generally around two weeks before cutting. This allows sufficient time for the herbicide to be absorbed into the plant system and to affect the physiological processes that lead to regrowth. During this period, the herbicide needs to act on the existing vegetation to ensure that it effectively disrupts the plant's ability to recover after being cut down. If applied too close to the cutting date, there may not be enough time for the treatment to take full effect, potentially resulting in regrowth.

The other time frames would not provide the ideal window for the herbicide to adequately permeate the plant's systems. For instance, one week may not allow for effective absorption, while three or four weeks could lead to the herbicide degrading or losing its effectiveness, particularly if environmental factors come into play. Therefore, two weeks strikes the right balance for optimal results.