Mesquite trees are the most popular “trash” tree out there. Mostly, that popularity is due to the excellent BBQ wood that it provides. Despite its ability to supply us with some superb firewood, it poses some problems for range managers.
Now, do not get me completely wrong on this. Despite being viewed by some as a poor-quality rangeland plant, mesquite does have some benefits. One such benefit is that it can provide food and cover for wildlife and livestock. Also, since it is classified as a legume, it has the ability to fix nitrogen back into the soil.
Despite the above benefits, it can easily dominate rangeland if left unmanaged. In the process of doing that, it will choke out any grass that you may have in the pasture. What that means is that there will be less for your animals to eat. With it also being a very thirsty plant, it will also suck your place dry if you let it get out of hand.
A disclaimer is needed here, so the thing to remember is that complete eradication is unlikely, not to mention unnecessary, but getting them under control is possible. Here are five steps that you can follow to gain better control of your pastures.
Step 1: Determine Mesquite cover
The number of trees that you have in a pasture will determine which control method is best for you. If you have a very light amount, you could get away with some light chemical or manual control. However, if the cover is very thick, some heavy chemical or even mechanical control may be necessary. If mechanical is the only option, it will get costly, so it is best to know beforehand.
Suppose there are more than 400 trees per acre, then a broadcast method such as aerial spraying is the most cost- and time-effective for you. Depending on the thickness, multiple aerial spraying may be necessary. Also, even though you sprayed, you may still have to remove some of them by hand to get it going.
The two methods of measuring tree density:
- Measure off at least 4 square areas that are 66ft by 66ft. Count the number of mesquite trees in all of those areas that you made. Once you have the count, average the number of trees per square. Once you are done, multiply by 10 to estimate the density.
- Walk at least four lines that are about 363ft in the pasture that you want to measure. In order to keep them in a straight line, have the lines going towards some landmark for you to walk to. Once you have walked it the first time, turn around and walk back in the same line. As you do that, count every mesquite tree within 3ft of your path. Then, when you have the count from the four lines, figure out the average to give you a manageable number. Finally, what you will do is take that average and then multiply it by 20.
With either option you go with, be sure that the different areas you will be counting are in other areas of the pasture you want to control. This spread will give you more overall numbers than just counting in one area. Now, on to step 2.
Step 2: Select your control method
Now that you have determined the number of trees you want to control, it is time for the next step. Here, you will pick which type of control method you will be going with.
There are a few methods that you can use to control mesquite: the foliar-spray method, the stem-spray method, and the mechanical method. Now, doing a control burn may be an option, but in most cases, that is not the way to go. The problem with using fire is that most of the time, it will not completely kill the root bud, which is what you want to kill in order to kill the tree.
Each method has its pros and cons, so it is best to weigh the options and go with the one that works best for you and your pocketbook.
Mechanical
As the name implies, this means getting rid of the plant by mechanical means. This method can be with a dozer, skid steer, or tractor (whichever works for you).
The problem with this is what I mentioned above: just removing the top will not get rid of it. A root grubber or something similar will have to be used in order to remove the roots and buds so they will not return. If you don’t kill the whole plant, then you can expect that in about five years, the plant will ultimately return.
The main drawback to using this method is that it can get expensive rather quickly. In fact, the price can get high enough to where it will be like you are buying the land all over again. Diesel fuel is not cheap, after all.
Another downside is that when you move the piles of mesquite around, they will drop the beans, which means they will also be reseeding the pasture for the next go-round.
Stem spraying
This method means that you will be spraying a chemical around the trunk of the mesquite tree. This method works best on young trees with few basal stems. If it has several of them, then the chemical will be less effective and thus less economical in the end.
Stem spraying can be done year-round, but its best results will be during the spring-summer growing season. This time of year is when the plant is growing the most and will absorb the chemicals better. The main factor in using this method is the size of the plant. To be effective, the plant should be smooth-barked and no bigger than 4 inches in diameter.
A mixture of Remedy and diesel fuel is the preferred method of doing this. The diesel will act as a coating agent to ensure it stays on the plant and is absorbed. The concentration of Remedy that you will use depends on the size and age of the plant. Usually, it will require between 15% and 25% of chemicals.
To apply the chemical, you will first ensure that your nozzle is adjusted to deliver a narrow, cone-shaped mist. I discuss the steps you need to take to ensure your sprayer is working correctly here.
Now that your sprayer is set, hold the nozzle within 1 to 2 inches from the mesquite stem. You will then spray the mixture around the trunk from the base to 12 inches up. As you apply the chemical, wet the trunk almost to the point of runoff.
Leaf Spray Method
This method works best on brushy mesquites with many stems growing from ground level. It is also best that they are not taller than 8ft.
The best time to use this method is in the late spring (May-June) when the leaves on the plant have changed color from light pea green to a more uniform dark green.
A mixture of 1/2% Reclaim, 1/2% Remedy, and water is recommended for this method. You will also want to add a surfactant or dish soap to ensure it will stick to the leaves long enough to be absorbed. Another thing that you can add to the mix is a type of marker dye to identify which plants have already had an application.
INGREDIENT
CONCENTRATION IN SPRAY SOLUTION 3 GAL. 14 GAL. 25 GAL.
Leaf-SprayReclaim®1/2% 2 oz. 9 oz. 16 oz.
Remedy®1/2% 2 oz. 9 oz. 16 oz.
Surfactant 1/4 % 1 oz. 5 oz. 8 oz.
Hi-Light® Dye1/4% – 1/2% 1-2 oz. 5-9 oz. 8-16 oz.
Step 3: Select the correct stage of the mesquite life cycle
This step is crucial if you decide to go with a foliar spray method. The mechanical and stem-spray methods can be used year-round.
The life cycle typically begins with the tree’s bud break during the spring. It will usually start in the south and work its way north as the weather warms up.
Twigs and leaves will begin to grow when the soil temperatures reach 65 to 75 degrees F. This stage usually lasts for about six weeks, depending on the weather.
Forty-five days after bud break, when the soil temp 12″ below the surface reaches 75 degrees F, it begins replenishing the carbohydrates in its root system. This stage is shown when there is no new twig growth, and the leaves have a dark green color to them. During this time, the foliar-spray method will be the most effective.
Step 4: Use your mesquite control plan
As you may have guessed, this is the “action” part of the steps. This step is where you go out and either spray or grub the trees in your pasture.
If you will be applying chemicals, be sure to use the correct amount of herbicide. Too little herbicide will not be effective, while too much of it can damage the environment. The Texas AgriLife Extension service has many resources available to help you in this matter.
Make sure you remove the root bud if you’re going the mechanical route. This removal will ensure that you will kill the plant and not have to go over it again.
Step 5: Repeat
Unfortunately, controlling mesquite is not a “one-and-done” kind of process. You will always have to go out and either spray or mechanically remove trees. It will take many years for you to get them into the stage of control that you are looking for.
Even if they are under control, you may still have to re-treat the area every 5 to 7 years. It is generally easier to spray the younger trees in order to prevent new growth from occurring.
Some other control ideas you can use are:
- Don’t graze a pasture that produces a lot of seeds.
- Fence off areas with high mesquite seed production
- Confine your livestock 3 to 6 days after being in a pasture with many mesquite beans to reduce the chance of carrying them to different areas.
- Leave adequate grass to grow in order to discourage the seedling establishment.
In the state of Guanajuato, Mexico we harvest the young branches with green pods in the spring. We let them dry for two days and then grind them into small particulates and feed them to our cattle, sheep, and goats. The feed is high in protein similar to alfalfa. We manufacture the mill to grind the mesquite. Something you may want to consider if you are suffering a drought.
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