Gorse control

Page last updated: Monday, 20 July 2020 - 2:25pm

Please note: This content may be out of date and is currently under review.

Control methods for gorse (Ulex europaeus), a declared pest in Western Australia.

REPORT THE PRESENCE OF THIS PEST BEFORE UNDERTAKING CONTROL

Information about this pest can be found on the Gorse: declared pest page.

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Chemical requirements

When using any agricultural chemicals please ensure that you always follow instructions on the label and any permit. Users of agricultural chemical products must always strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website.

Chemical control options

Chemical control options can be found below. For other methods of control please refer to the declared plant control handbook.

Recommended herbicides

  • Spring: Picloram + 2,4-D

  • Mid-spring to mid-summer: Triclopyr

  • Summer months: Amitrole

  • Autumn: Picloram + triclopyr

  • Actively growing plants: Metsulfuron

  • Actively growing (except spring): Trounce®

  • All year round if actively growing: Glyphosate

Herbicide: Triclopyr (Group I) (various trade names: APVMA link)

Active ingredient

600g/L triclopyr

Rates of dilution for spot spraying

1:300

Amount of product/10L water

30mL

Rate of product/ha

Not recommended

Wetting agent dilution

1:400 BS-1000 + 1:400 summer spraying oil may be of benefit

Time of application

Apply from spring to mid-summer

Remarks

  • Thorough wetting is essential. Seeds will continue to germinate for several years

  • Equal quantity of distillate mixed with triclopyr prior to adding water when mixing may also assist wetting

  • A 755g/L formulation also available

More information and other control methods

Burning usually stimulates seed germinations

Herbicide: Amitrole (Group F)

Active ingredient

250g/L amitrole + 220g/L ammonium thiocyanate

Rates of dilution for spot spraying

1:50

Amount of product/10L water

200mL

Rate of product/ha

Not recommended

Wetting agent dilution

1:600 – 1:1000 non-ionic wetting agent

Time of application

Summer months

Remarks

  • Use in restricted spraying areas. Wet foliage thoroughly. Repeat as necessary.

  • Apply to bushes up to 2m tall

Herbicide: Trounce®

Active ingredient

10g/kg metsulfuron (Group B) + 835g/kg glyphosate (Group M)

Rates of dilution for spot spraying

1 packet/100L water  (173g packet Trounce®)

Wetting agent dilution

Pulse® at 100mL/100L (for example, 1:1000)

Time of application

Actively growing (except spring)

Remarks

  • Use in restricted spraying areas. Wet bush thoroughly. Repeat as necessary

  • Apply to bushes up to 2m tall. Thorough coverage of plant

Herbicide: Triclopyr + picloram (Group I) (various trade names: see APVMA link)

Active ingredient

300g/L triclopyr +100g/L picloram

Amount of product/10L water

  • 50mL for winter treatment

  • 35mL for bushes > 1.5m tall

  • 25mL for bushes 1–1.5m tall

Rate of product/ha

Not recommended

Wetting agent dilution

BS-1000

Time of application

Use high rate on older hard-to-kill plants

Remarks

Permit required when applying within 5km of commercial vineyard or tomato garden Wet bushes thoroughly. Repeat as necessary

Herbicide: Metsulfuron (Group B) (various trade names: see APVMA link)

Active ingredient

600g/kg Metsulfuron methyl

Rates of dilution for spot spraying

15g/100L water

Amount of product/10L water

1.5g

Wetting agent dilution

1:400 – 1000 of a non-ionic wetting agent or 1:500 Pulse®

Time of application

When actively growing

Remarks

Suitable for bushes up to 2m tall. Ensure spray penetrates thoroughly and covers whole plant.

More information and other control methods

Mixtures of glyphosate + metsulfuron also registered, for example: Trounce®

Herbicide: Glyphosate (Group M) (various trade names: see APVMA link)

Active ingredient

360, 450, 490, 500 and 540g/L glyphosate, and 680, 700, 840 and 875g/kg glyphosate.

Other concentrations of glyphosate are available.

Amount of product/10L water

  • 100mL for 360g/L formulation
  • 80mL for 450g/L formulation
  • 70mL for 490/500g/L formulation
  • 65mL for 540g/L formulation
  • 50g for 680g/kg formulation

Adjust rates if using other concentrations of glyphosate

Wetting agent dilution

Pulse® 1:400

Time of application

All year round but only if actively growing

More information and other control methods

  • Spray to wet all foliage.
  • Burn after complete brown out. Roundup® Biactive or Razor® is preferred treatment in wet areas or along water courses near shallow water.
  • Also add Pulse® wetting agent to this treatment.

Herbicide: Picloram + 2,4-D (Group I) (various trade names: see APVMA link)

Active ingredient

75g/L picloram + 300g/L 2,4-D

Rates of dilution for spot spraying

1:200

Amount of product/10L water

50mL

Wetting agent dilution

1:400 -1000 non-ionic wetting agent

Time of application

Spring

More information and other control methods

  • Picloram is residual and will affect growth of some broad leaved species, particularly Capeweed and legumes for several seasons.
  • Permit required when applying within 5km of commercial vineyard or tomato garden.

Contact information

Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS)
+61 (0)8 9368 3080