Triclopyr degrades more rapidly under warm, moist conditions. It has a half-life of 30 to 90 days, and degrades to carbon dioxide and organic matter. The potential for leaching depends on the soil type, acidity and rainfall conditions. Triclopyr should not be a leaching problem under normal conditions since it binds to clay and organic matter in soil. Triclopyr may leach from light soils if rainfall is very heavy.
Sunlight rapidly breaks down triclopyr in water.
The half-life in water is less than 24 hours. Do not allow triclopyr to pollute irrigation ditches or water used for irrigation or domestic use. Triclopyr is slightly toxic to practically non-toxic to soil microorganisms. Triclopyr is toxic to many plants. Even very small amounts of spray may injure some plants.