More on this subject: (from above link)
Additionally, it was found that herbicide use (corrected for concentration differences) was virtually identical between the two methods, or at least within the variability of site conditions. Another advantage was discovered when working in remote areas away from any trails was the reduced volume of material that was needed for an operator to carry deep into the forest. Depending on plant density, and including the addition of fuel required (for the saw and sawyer), an operator can carry all supplies for an operational day, usually around six tanks of fuel and seven or eight man hours. Don’t try that with foliar backpack treatments! The time and energy spent retrieving additional herbicide solution from a trail side reserve tank in this scenario can be spent instead on increased invasive eradication. (Back)
More: (from above links)
In these extended periods of operation in lightly infested areas it was found that the Stump Stopper was less strenuous to carry than multiple gallons of herbicide solution while seeking scattered woodies to treat. Although the previously mentioned reasons were the primary impetus for the design, in using them for numerous seasons now, other unanticipated advantages became apparent. The ease with which small targets could be treated encouraged increasingly smaller targets to be treated, basically down to where recognition of species became the determinant factor. *(Exception 1) Then, in following-up the subsequent growing season on project areas where initial Stump Stopper treatments had been utilized, it was found that except for the occasional escapee (the “How did we miss that one?” bush), it was not practical to pursue a next year growing season treatment, as the early growth shrubs are so small they cannot efficiently be located where herbaceous growth is present. It may be advisable to scout these areas when the target species are in bloom, effectively “flagging” larger bushes that have reproductive capability, in order to catch the escapee(s). (Back)
*(Exception 1): High degrees of variability are often exhibited from one site to another relative to the seedling populations present and although the Stump Stopper allows for very small shrubs to be treated, several factors must be considered, the plant identification skills of the operators, the management plans for the future on a given acreage, other native and invasive species present, and the total area of very high seedling populations present. In those circumstances in which very high seedling populations are localized, the Stump Stopper may be utilized efficiently and serve to expand the time frame between scheduled re-entry (allowing for an increased number of acres to receive initial treatments). When the greatest portion of the total area is infested with shrubs less than approximately the one foot level, a foliar treatment follow-up may be appropriate, in that although the Stump Stopper is very efficient, it does not permit the treatment of many shrubs simultaneously. The operator must also (as always) be mindful of observing not to exceed rates as listed on the herbicide specimen label. (Back)
Additionally, it was found that herbicide use (corrected for concentration differences) was virtually identical between the two methods, or at least within the variability of site conditions. Another advantage was discovered when working in remote areas away from any trails was the reduced volume of material that was needed for an operator to carry deep into the forest. Depending on plant density, and including the addition of fuel required (for the saw and sawyer), an operator can carry all supplies for an operational day, usually around six tanks of fuel and seven or eight man hours. Don’t try that with foliar backpack treatments! The time and energy spent retrieving additional herbicide solution from a trail side reserve tank in this scenario can be spent instead on increased invasive eradication. (Back)
More: (from above links)
In these extended periods of operation in lightly infested areas it was found that the Stump Stopper was less strenuous to carry than multiple gallons of herbicide solution while seeking scattered woodies to treat. Although the previously mentioned reasons were the primary impetus for the design, in using them for numerous seasons now, other unanticipated advantages became apparent. The ease with which small targets could be treated encouraged increasingly smaller targets to be treated, basically down to where recognition of species became the determinant factor. *(Exception 1) Then, in following-up the subsequent growing season on project areas where initial Stump Stopper treatments had been utilized, it was found that except for the occasional escapee (the “How did we miss that one?” bush), it was not practical to pursue a next year growing season treatment, as the early growth shrubs are so small they cannot efficiently be located where herbaceous growth is present. It may be advisable to scout these areas when the target species are in bloom, effectively “flagging” larger bushes that have reproductive capability, in order to catch the escapee(s). (Back)
*(Exception 1): High degrees of variability are often exhibited from one site to another relative to the seedling populations present and although the Stump Stopper allows for very small shrubs to be treated, several factors must be considered, the plant identification skills of the operators, the management plans for the future on a given acreage, other native and invasive species present, and the total area of very high seedling populations present. In those circumstances in which very high seedling populations are localized, the Stump Stopper may be utilized efficiently and serve to expand the time frame between scheduled re-entry (allowing for an increased number of acres to receive initial treatments). When the greatest portion of the total area is infested with shrubs less than approximately the one foot level, a foliar treatment follow-up may be appropriate, in that although the Stump Stopper is very efficient, it does not permit the treatment of many shrubs simultaneously. The operator must also (as always) be mindful of observing not to exceed rates as listed on the herbicide specimen label. (Back)