Martin
Lingard, Contracts Manager for Lowther Forestry, has reported that ICL’s
Ecoplug Max is helping him manage an extensive tree and shrub clearance project
throughout Yorkshire.
Lowther
Forestry – a nationwide forestry, landscaping and fencing contractor was
established in 1979 and now has four regional offices.
Over
the years the company has significantly grown and prides itself on providing
exceptional quality, value and sustainability to businesses and organisations
throughout the United Kingdom.
Martin
Lingard has been with the company for 19 years and after looking for an
alternative to liquid glyphosate for stump control, he turned to Ecoplug Max –
which he purchased through ICL distributor Green-tech.
Ecoplug
Max is a patented tree stump control application method which delivers
glyphosate directly into the tree stump, killing its root system and preventing
re-growth. Each plug contains 300mg of granular glyphosate which are simply
placed into holes drilled into the stump using the Ecoplug drill bit. The plugs
are then hammered in forcing out the sides of the plug, releasing the
glyphosate into the phloem.
“We
have been using Ecoplug Max for the past few years as part of a tree and shrub
clearance project for the Environment Agency,” says Martin. Based on the work
last year we have seen fantastic results - we’ve had no comeback or re-growth
of willows.”
Ecoplug
Max supports requirements of the sustainable use directive to minimise use of
pesticides. With the glyphosate encapsulated inside the unit, it never gets in
direct contact with anything else but the plant, in turn minimizing the risk of
the operator coming into contact with chemical or chemical spillage.
Furthermore, it also eliminates the risk of damage to surrounding trees and
vegetation. Quite simply, it stays where it belongs – inside the plant.
“As
a product, it is so much better than spraying the stumps,” says Martin. “The
beauty of it, is that it is so easy to use – we just apply the plugs easily
into the holes that have been pre-drilled. It is certainly more efficient as
well; in the past when we were spraying, just a little bit of breeze would mean
that we would have to stop and wait until it passed. We’re also not having to
carry lots of liquid so it is ideal from that point of view. It is safe to
handle as well because you have no risk of spillages.
“We
work in environmentally sensitive habitats and by using Ecoplug Max there is no
risk of drift or contamination of habitat and the product, when applied, is not
at risk of wash off by rain or flood. There is also the added benefit of less
handling on site of concentrated herbicide product.
“Overall,
I would say that it is a very good product and one that I would not hesitate to
recommend.”
