In most cases, unmanaged pines have well established hardwood understories with vast root systems. Burning alone will not effectively kill the root systems of many of the most invasive hardwoods, like sweet gum and green ash. On most productive pine sites, burning alone over time will result in increased stems of hardwoods due to resprouting from the roots, worsening the problem. Selective herbicides properly administered will kill the entire plant, roots and all. Fire can then be reintroduced into the stand to control young hardwoods coming up from seed. The resulting increased light to the forest floor and periodic fire will result in a forb-grass dominated understory, reducing competition to crop trees, while drastically improving the wildlife habitat.