How to Get Rid of Sagebrush

Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) is a large woody shrub -- reaching 7 feet in height -- in the aster family. The plant bears gray foliage and yellow flowers from summer into fall. Big sagebrush is the state of Nevada's official state flower. At one time, the foliage and other parts of the plant were used to make tea and medicine. Its wood was used as fuel and the bark was turned into candle wicks and baskets. Sagebrush is best managed with herbicides, applied to basal bark.

Things You'll Need

• Hand-pump backpack sprayer with a cone nozzle
• Herbicide containing 2, 4-D or tabuthiuron
• Water, basal oil, kerosene or diesel fuel

Show More

Instructions

1. • 1

     Fill the sprayer's tank with half the suggested amount of water, basal oil, kerosene or other liquid suggested on the herbicide label.

   • 2

     Swirl the tank gently as you add the herbicide, at the rate suggested on the label, to the sprayer's tank. Finish filling the tank with the other liquid.

   • 3

     Set the tank sprayer's pressure to the lowest setting.

   • 4

     Spray the herbicide on the lower 12 to 15 inches of bark on the sagebrush's trunk, completely around it. Spray until the bark is wet, but not running off the plant.