The suppressed understory vegetation may be only sparsely visible initially; however, it often will rebound nicely in subsequent years with proper management.

2)Trees and medium diameter brush: Ring trees with a chain saw or remove the cambium manually in the summer, and leave standing. Remove trees in the winter.

3)Small brush and resprouts: Cut and recut in summer. Remove from prairie if dense so as not to cover underlying vegetation, otherwise may leave in place

Consider herbicides for difficult species such as sumac and black locust (see ``HERBICIDES").

4)Cedars: Cut and remove in winter. No herbicides needed. Cedars are easily killed by fire.

5)Brush piles: Create piles on disturbed ground (i.e. previously tilled ground). Do not place on grassy areas or on adjacent brushy areas since such areas may spring back to prairie when cleared and managed. If brush is piled there it will sterilize the existing native vegetation, soil, and seed bank and the area will fill with weeds.

6)Vines (on trees to be removed): Consider stump treatment with herbicides before the tree is removed so that they don't spread horizontally on the ground after the tree is removed.

7)Bison/grazers naturally control woody vegetation.

8)Leave some woody plants untouched since they may provide a different local environment for unusual species.

ALIEN WEEDS

I)Annuals and Biennials (bull thistle, sweet-clover etc.): Cut at the time of flowering in order to remove the reseeding potential. Properly timed fire or cutting may be appropriate. "Pulling weeds by roots" can be effective for isolated weeds; however, keep in mind that disturbed ground left by this maneuver can invite more weeds

2)Perennial weeds: Routine prairie management (mowing, burning) will conquer many weeds.

3)Perennial weeds with underground stolons (Canada thistle, leafy spurge, etc.): Stump treatment with 33% Roundup is efficient for small populations. Leafy spurge is a serious problem that can completely overtake grasslands. It aggressively colonizes disturbed areas. Roundup I to 2% spray is effective. Some prairie managers use Tordan 22K or a 10% solution of Tordon RTU topically; however, note severe adverse effects in "Herbicides". Yearly vigilance is required.

4)Cool season grasses and weeds: Use late spring burns after the aliens have leafed out. Routine management and succession to prairie will set back these species.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS

   Biological agents such as insects are being investigated and utilized against specific problem plants. This method is being studied for its effectiveness against leafy spurge and purple loosestrife.

   Thorough studies need to be done in order to identify adverse effects on native species. The user has a responsibility to review and understand these effects.

   For assistance, contact the state office of The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agriculture Research Service, as well as university agricultural research centers.

HERBICIDES

I)General issues: Herbicides may be required for aggressive species and species that create underground suckers from mechanical treatments. These species include sumac, black locust, leafy spurge, and Canadian thistle. This is especially true for areas without available grazing or mowing capability or lack of labor to administer repeated mechanical treatments.

2)Stump treatment is more specifically directed and is considered the safest application technique. Hand wick application is fairly safe; although the potential for drip exists. Spraying causes damage to adjacent plants by drift and should be avoided or used with extreme caution.

3)Caution: Chemicals can translocate to adjacent plants through the soil and roots. Research regarding herbicide effects on high quality prairies is sparse. Caution should always be taken when using herbicides.

4)Specify: Name the herbicide, mode of applicator, species and area to be treated, time of application, and names of persons who will be applying the herbicide.

5)Chemicals:   Read the directions supplied with the chemical.

   Roundup - Roundup apparently is broken down quickly and doesn't translocate to other species through the soil, which makes it a preferred herbicide. Stump treatment with a 33% solution of Roundup is efficient and should presumably protect surrounding preferred plants. Adjacent plants will die if there is direct root to root contact. It should be applied sparingly to the perimeter cambium layer of the tree or weed in late summer (four weeks before leaf color change) when translocation to the roots is actively taking place. Spray (1% to 2%), directed stream spray to stem (5% to 7%), and wick (33%) treatments should be done when the plant is actively growing. Roundup will kill any plant upon topical contact. Spray and wick treatments can cause elimination of surrounding preferred plants by drift and drip. Visible effects of the plant's decline may not be evident for many weeks or longer.

   Tordon - This chemical translocates to the surrounding plants through the roots and should not be used on high quality prairies except in extreme conditions, in such cases that the loss of surrounding vegetation is acceptable.

 Other chemicals may be acceptable, and controlled studies of effects on remaining vegetation are welcomed by prairie managers.