Mechanized Trunk APPLIED Herbicides to Eliminate Huanglongbing Infected Citrus Trees

Huanglongbing is a serious phloem limited bacterial disease of citrus now present in Florida.  The recommended control includes scouting for the disease symptoms 3 to 4 times per year, tree removal as soon as possible and control of the psyllid vector with frequent insecticidal sprays.  Currently, infected trees are stumped with a large cutter-tractor, hauled out of the grove and burned.  A method to reduce excess travel from removing trees 3 to 4 times per year was sought.  Applying herbicides containing imazapur to cuts in the trunk was found to be the best method for killing citrus trees. After several trials, an electro-hydraulic mechanized tree trunk incision clamp system with frame design and sufficient strength was found to allow clamping to the trunk, cutting the trunk and applying the herbicide.  The details of these operations and the tree-kill results are presented.