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Helping to preserve and restore native prairie and woodland sites

CONTROLLING MULTIFLORA ROSE

Mechanical Control:

In areas where multiflora rose is just beginning to invade, fire can limit its establishment. Scattered populations in high-quality areas can be effectively controlled by complete removal of the plants. All roots must be removed because new plants can grow from severed roots. Mowing with heavy equipment has proven effective, although non-selective. However, the strong thorns have been known to puncture rubber tires--filling tires with foam may help. Mowing or cutting should be repeated 3-6 times during the growing season for at least 2-4 years. Follow-up monitoring is necessary because new plants may arise from root fragments or previously dormant seeds.

Chemical Control:

Manual application of herbicides on freshly cut stems has proven an effective means of control as it can destroy the root system and prevent re-sprouting. After the stem is cut, herbicide should be applied. Glyphosate can be used effectively as a 10-20 % active ingredient (a.i.) solution if applied to the cut stems or canes in the growing season (between July and September) or during dormancy. Application during dormancy is preferable because it reduces the likelihood of damaging other species. A foliar spray of 1% a.i. glyphosate solution applied to flowering or budding plants is also effective, especially when the flowers are in full bloom. However, it is non-selective and should not be used in high-quality natural areas.

Triclopyr formulated for water dilution can be applied to cut stems or canes with a hand-held sprayer. Triclopyr must be applied within a few hours of cutting. Dormant season is the best time for application to ensure non-target species are not damaged by run-off.

A foliar spray of 2% a.i. fosamine solution in water can be effectively used from July to September if the foliage is well covered. Do not spray so heavily that herbicide drips off the target species. Die-back will not be apparent until the following summer. Fosamine is the preferred folier spray treatment because it is non-volatile and will only affect woody species.

A 1% a.i. solution of dicamba can be applied as a foliar spray. Dicambe is selective against broadleaf and should never be used if desirable broadleaf vegetation is present. Application is most effective when administered during May or June when plants have achieved full leaf-out and are actively flowering. When treating dense foliage, one-half ounce of surfactant should be added per gallon of water for maximum effectiveness.

A handful of water softener salt placed at the base of the plant has apparently proven effective, but will remain in the soil for many years.

Biological Control:

Biological methods exist to kill or damage multiflora rose. Rose rosette disease, a native virus vectored by a eriophyid mite (Phyllocoptes frutiphilus), can be fatal. However, it may infect native roses and plums as well as commercially important members of the rose family like apples, some berries, and ornamental roses. The disease spreads from infected canes to the roots and then to other canes. Plants usually die within 1-2 years. Pruning may be practical in areas where the disease is present because it encourages succulent growth, increasing plant susceptibility to mite infestation.

Two insects also feed on multiflora rose; the larva of the rose stem girdler beetle girdles and kills individual canes and the other, the rose seed chalid wasp (Megastigmus aculeastus var. nigroflavus) reduces seed viability. The U.S Department of Agriculture should be contacted for more information on biological control methods.

	Embarras	Volunteer	Stewards
	Helping to preserve and restore native prairie and woodland sites

	CONTROLLING MULTIFLORA ROSE Mechanical Control: In areas where multiflora rose is just beginning to invade, fire can limit its establishment. Scattered populations in high-quality areas can be effectively controlled by complete removal of the plants. All roots must be removed because new plants can grow from severed roots. Mowing with heavy equipment has proven effective, although non-selective. However, the strong thorns have been known to puncture rubber tires--filling tires with foam may help. Mowing or cutting should be repeated 3-6 times during the growing season for at least 2-4 years. Follow-up monitoring is necessary because new plants may arise from root fragments or previously dormant seeds. Chemical Control: Manual application of herbicides on freshly cut stems has proven an effective means of control as it can destroy the root system and prevent re-sprouting. After the stem is cut, herbicide should be applied. Glyphosate can be used effectively as a 10-20 % active ingredient (a.i.) solution if applied to the cut stems or canes in the growing season (between July and September) or during dormancy. Application during dormancy is preferable because it reduces the likelihood of damaging other species. A foliar spray of 1% a.i. glyphosate solution applied to flowering or budding plants is also effective, especially when the flowers are in full bloom. However, it is non-selective and should not be used in high-quality natural areas. Triclopyr formulated for water dilution can be applied to cut stems or canes with a hand-held sprayer. Triclopyr must be applied within a few hours of cutting. Dormant season is the best time for application to ensure non-target species are not damaged by run-off. A foliar spray of 2% a.i. fosamine solution in water can be effectively used from July to September if the foliage is well covered. Do not spray so heavily that herbicide drips off the target species. Die-back will not be apparent until the following summer. Fosamine is the preferred folier spray treatment because it is non-volatile and will only affect woody species. A 1% a.i. solution of dicamba can be applied as a foliar spray. Dicambe is selective against broadleaf and should never be used if desirable broadleaf vegetation is present. Application is most effective when administered during May or June when plants have achieved full leaf-out and are actively flowering. When treating dense foliage, one-half ounce of surfactant should be added per gallon of water for maximum effectiveness. A handful of water softener salt placed at the base of the plant has apparently proven effective, but will remain in the soil for many years. Biological Control: Biological methods exist to kill or damage multiflora rose. Rose rosette disease, a native virus vectored by a eriophyid mite (Phyllocoptes frutiphilus), can be fatal. However, it may infect native roses and plums as well as commercially important members of the rose family like apples, some berries, and ornamental roses. The disease spreads from infected canes to the roots and then to other canes. Plants usually die within 1-2 years. Pruning may be practical in areas where the disease is present because it encourages succulent growth, increasing plant susceptibility to mite infestation. Two insects also feed on multiflora rose; the larva of the rose stem girdler beetle girdles and kills individual canes and the other, the rose seed chalid wasp (Megastigmus aculeastus var. nigroflavus) reduces seed viability. The U.S Department of Agriculture should be contacted for more information on biological control methods.