Undesirable vegetation has been extremely competitive with forages and pine clusters. Fertilization has exacerbated the problem. To control undesirable vegetation, Arsenal AC, Fusilade DX, Oust, Poast Plus, and Velpar herbicides have been applied . Despite these treatments, trees have been suffering from competition by horsenettle, a weed that is resistant to most chemical control. Based on recommendations by Carroll Walls of Timberland Co., Escort was successfully applied to control it, beginning in June of 1999.
Fire ants are also a deterrent to growth of plants in the forage alleys.
Paul Francis and Bob Colvin observed a mound about every 10 feet in July of 2000. Concentration seemed to be higher along the boundaries of the tree clusters. It is not known exactly what is causing this, but it maybe competition from undesirable vegetation, applications of herbicides to control undesirable vegetation, and the presence of fire ants. Fire ant mounds were located approximately every 10 feet in the forage alleys during July of 2000, especially along the perimeters of the tree clusters. Deer cause bark damage because they use the trees to rub the felt off of their antlers.