•November 11, 2015•

A pilot program aimed at eradicating bush honeysuckle on Lake Shelbyville is scheduled to proceed  between November 11 and 13.  Bush honeysuckle, an aggressive exotic plant that is taking over much of the woodlands at Lake Shelbyville, will be treated with Rodeo Herbicide, an aquatic safe form of glyphosate, with the use of a crop-duster helicopter. Timing of the treatment will be dependent upon leaf fall as the leaves need to be off the trees in order for the herbicide to make its way to the forest floor where the bush honeysuckle is located. Bush honeysuckle goes dormant up to a month later than native plants and is often the only green plant seen during the month of November.  Because the natives are dormant, they will not be affected by the herbicide, and only the target plants will be impacted. The aerial application method has been utilized successfully in surrounding states and in tests conducted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Lake Shelbyville staff set up tests plots within the treatment area with the help of IDNR in order to be able to measure the success of the application. Up until the last couple of years hand treating or forestry mowers have been utilized to control bush honeysuckle. These methods are expensive and time consuming whereas the aerial treatment is showing promise for quick application and reduced costs.      Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.