The Minnesota DNR is planning to apply herbicides on state lands in the Bemidji area next month.
According to a release, 17 acres will be subject to herbicide treatments beginning around July 15 and ending around Sept. 15.
“Herbicides will be sprayed to reduce woody vegetation that would otherwise compete with the newly planted seedlings,” said Nick Severson, Silviculture Program Lead-Bemidji Area.
“This gives the tree seedlings a better chance to grow and survive.”
Signs will be posted on all herbicide treatment sites. Adjacent landowners within a quarter-mile of the treatment sites will be notified directly.
In following DNR herbicide application guidelines, herbicides will not be applied within 100 feet of any waterbody.
The DNR plants trees on state lands to reforest harvested areas, provide wildlife habitat, protect watersheds, sequester carbon, and maintain healthy state forests.
Part of the reforestation process involves applying herbicides to the harvested areas prior to or following tree planting, according to the release.
This past spring in the Bemidji area, the Division of Forestry planted 100,000 seedlings on 141 acres to red pine.
