Herbicide Use for Forest Management in Canada: Where We Are and Where We Are Going

In 1988, 217, 825 ha were treated with herbicide for forest management purposes in Canada. Ontario treated the largest absolute number of hectares but New Brunswick had the highest intensity of treatment in terms of percentage of productive forest, cutover or planted area treated. Seventy-six percent of the herbicide was applied aerially. Eighty-five percent was for release. Forest managers across Canada have identified a number of gaps in herbicide technology including the need for: alternatives to herbicides, demonstration areas for the public, assessment methodology, long-term cost/benefit analysis, more information on effects on wildlife habitat, and aerial navigation aids.