Picloram

Woody stem plants, especially those that are unwanted on a landscape, can be tough to control by mechanical or manual means. An effective herbicide that can deal with woody-stemmed vegetation is an active ingredient called Picloram. Picloram is great on foliage and forestry areas and is regarded as one of the most popular herbicides used by forest management professionals in the United States.

Solutions Pest & Lawn has some great herbicide products which contain the active ingredient Picloram and we regularly suggest this product to our customers who want to control woody stem plants and remove broadleaf weeds. On this page we will share with you background info about picloram, it’s mode of action and benefits. 

What is Picloram?

Picloram is a systemic herbicide and functions as a plant growth regulator in order to control established and woody plants in agricultural settings and industrial sites.  It is applied primarily on pasture and rangeland, followed by forestry areas.

Picloram is formulated either as an acid or as a potassium salt. The active ingredient can be applied via broadcast or spot treatment direct to plant foliage or in the soil. It can also be used as a basal bark spray treatment. Picloram has been manufactured either alone or as part of a mixture with other active ingredients such as 2,4-D, Fluroxypyr, Triclopyr, Clopyralid, or combinations of all.

How Does Picloram Work?

Mode of Action

Picloram’s mode of action is that it poisons plants by mimicking the essential plant growth hormone indoleacetic acid. This interferes with protein synthesis in the targeted weed so that it becomes unable to create new tissues, leading to the abnormally rapid growth of the plant which results in death.

Picloram can be sprayed on foliage, injected into plants, applied to cut surfaces, or placed at the base of the plant where it will leach to the roots.  Picloram is systemic, meaning that once the active ingredient is absorbed by the foliage, stem, or roots, the active ingredient is transported throughout the plant.

Benefits of Picloram

Picloram does a great job in controlling invasive brush and weeds that are too much work to address via mowing or other mechanical methods. Picloram works systemically so it will go down to the root to kill the entire plant, eliminate the chances of regrowth.

Use Picloram for weed control beneath electrical powerlines, along railroad tracks, roadsides, pipelines, in commercial forestry, and grazing sites for wildlife.

Drawbacks of Picloram

Most Picloram products are restricted use products and will require a certified applicators license to be able to purchase a product containing the active ingredient. 

Do not use Picloram on residential sites or near ornamental trees and shrubs. This product can kill any woody plant it comes into contact with so you will need to be careful where you apply it so only targeted weeds come in contact with the active ingredient.

Is Picloram Safe?

Picloram is safe to use when applied according to label directions. Picloram is a restricted herbicide which requires a license to purchase and must not be applied directly to water. Picloram can stay active in soil for a moderately long time depending on the type of soil, soil moisture and temperature so site assessment is necessary before using a Picloram product.

Please wear the proper PPE (personal protective equipment) before mixing and applying Picloram-based products. These include protective eyewear, gloves, long-sleeved clothing and a safety mask.

What To Expect

After application, Picloram works like a plant growth regulator, entering the weed through the leaves and stems, and uses the plant’s own transportation system to systemically travel to the weed's roots and leaves. It induces the weed to grow faster than normal, which disrupts the plant's food production and causes the plant to die from lack of nutrients. This process can take anywhere from a week to a month to totally kill the weed. 

Make sure to stay off the treated area until the product has completely dried.

Featured Products

Picloram 22K Herbicide - Picloram 22K Herbicide from Alligare is a picloram based weed killer that is used especially to kill Japanese knotweed, to spray brush, and to control prickly pear cactus in range and pasture lands. Picloram 22K can also be used to kill trees and other brush. This herbicide requires an applicator permit license to purchase. 

Picloram P+D - Picloram P+D by Alligare LLC is a weed killer for control of undesirable vegetation in established turf, pastures, and rangelands.Picloram P+D is the best weed killer for large fields and pastures. It is very popular as a farm herbicide and has been around for a long time and is a generic version of herbicides like Graze On, Grazeon, and Grazon Extra. It is a restricted-use pesticide.