Chemicals That Get Rid of Wild Raspberries

Chemical Control

• Herbicide works by transporting chemicals through the phloem of the plant to the expanding rhizomes and new foliar tissue. Consequently, the majority of herbicides are most effective when applied during or after flower bloom. Glyphosate, also known as Roundup, and PastureGard are a couple of the more familiar and effective raspberry herbicides. There are many other effective herbicides on the market to consider, including Crossbow, Cimarron Plus, Surmount, Grazon P + D, Spike, Velpar, Weedmaster, Banvel and Tordon 22K.

Chemical Application

• Herbicides can be applied to the soil or directly to the plant on the basal bark or dormant stems and leaves. Non-selective soil herbicides eliminate all vegetation in the treatment area, but should only be used well in advance of any new plantings. Basal applications may be used at any time of year. Foliar applications produce best results during the summer growing season. However, to minimize human contact with chemicals, particularly in locations where people may harvest wild fruit, apply herbicides during the mid-fall when berries are less prevalent. Thoroughly cover target plants with spray, stopping just short of the point of runoff.

Alternative Management Approaches

• Despite treatment, wild brambles may continue to re-sprout from their crown or rhizomes. For best results, growers often must resort to a combination of herbicide treatment and mechanical control techniques, including mowing, cutting, burning and tilling. Be advised, mechanical treatments alone may fragment stems and roots, stimulating sucker formation and spreading roots. To reduce the likelihood of regeneration and increase the short-term effect of control, physically separate and remove underground roots. If this is not feasible, continue to repeatedly till and mow, covering with a heavy layer of mulch during interim periods, until the roots sufficiently weaken.

Challenges

• Well-established wild raspberries have a reputation for being difficult to remove. Like all wild brambles, wild raspberry plants serve to feed and shelter many types of birds and mammals, such as rats. Seeds are readily spread by the dropping of wild animals. If provided sufficient growing conditions seeds will sprout following an extended dormancy period. The greatest degree of growth, however, is a result of buds that form along the plant's rhizomes. A single raspberry plant may cover a considerable area over time strictly as a result of the natural lateral expansion of the plant.