Bruce-- yes I think the last time I saw an A.M.Leonard's they listed a
flame-weeder. I'm not sure that's what they called. Not sure what name to
use to Google it either.
Heron-- Orchards used to get "prescribed burns" like we do prairies & grass
seed fields now. I learned it was to control scab (by removing the
innoculum-- fallen leaves), but burns also scew the ground-layer species.
Not in one burn, but because of the annual or otherwise regular
"disturbance", some have less advantage than others. I think if the fuel--
vegitation & mulch-- were removed from near trunks, no ill effects could be
expected, except low branches too close to tall grasses/large fuel loads.
Autumn burns are good, because fires are not so fierce-- sun is lower/weaker
and relative humidity is lower & steadier than in the spring. Soil biota
respond to the soil temperature, but because of the sun exposure after a
burn rather than the slight & short heating from a burn. And burned areas
get less heating from sun in autumn than in spring.
And please learn the local rules & regs re burns before you do anything!
Come to think of it, I could use a flame weeder. I have hundreds of young
trees that I want to keep the vole habit away from their tuncks. Where do I
get one? Menards? A.M. Leonard.
Bruce
-----Original Message-----
From: Heron Breen
Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2004 4:19 PM
To: North American Fruit Explorers
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Flame War/Weeder
Here,Here! Question for folks: Has anyone used a Flame Weeder to elimate
weeds around fruit trees? I was considering it, but didn't know if
Apple/other fruit bark could hold up to a scorch here and there. Or the
roots: do feeder roots react negatively to heat/burnt leavings? I would
think the ash/remains would benefit, but I am not sure the metabolic react
to a burned enviroment. I assume I should do this not too late in the
season, as to not stress the tree with any injury, and maybe only before
Solstice as to not trigger a soil biota reaction while in storage mode.
Well, any thoughts would be very welcome! Heron