How Can I Control Wild Blackberries?

Do you want to control wild blackberries chemically?

Do you want to control wild blackberries with soil herbicide applications?

Do you want to control wild blackberries with foliar applications?

Does the infestation of wild blackberries consists of first-year canes only?

Do you want to control wild blackberries with basal bark applications?

Do you want to control wild blackberries biologically?

In noncrop areas, tebuthiuron is registered for use by licensed applicators for brush control. Tebuthiuron is a nonselective urea herbicide that is used for total control (it eliminates other vegetation in the treatment area) of shrubs, trees, and other weeds. It can be applied in a pelleted formulation at the base of the plant to provide long-term control of wild blackberries.

In a situation where only first-year canes are present (when plants have been burned or mowed), the most effective time for optimal herbicide transport to the root system is in late summer. Herbicide application at this time reduces the likelihood of regrowth in subsequent years. Herbicides used to control wild blackberry during the growing season include glyphosate, dicamba, dicamba/2,4-D combinations, and triclopyr. Of these, glyphosate and triclopyr are registered for use by home gardeners.

Where the infestation consists primarily of second-year canes or a combination of first- and second-year canes, apply an herbicide in early fall before plants become dormant. Herbicides used to control wild blackberry during the growing season include glyphosate, dicamba, dicamba/2,4-D combinations, and triclopyr. Of these, glyphosate and triclopyr are registered for use by home gardeners.

Concentrated forms of triclopyr (often mixed with commercially available seed oils for better penetration) can be applied to basal regions of wild blackberries with a backpack sprayer using a solid cone, flat fan, or a straight-stream spray nozzle. Thoroughly cover a 6- to 12- inch basal section of the stem with spray but not to the point of runoff. Basal bark applications can be made almost any time of the year, even after leaves have been senesced.

A 1% solution of triclopyr ester can be applied to dormant leaves and stems in late fall and winter in a 3% crop oil concentrate mixture (see product labels for the rate to use to obtain the desired concentration). As with other herbicide applications, spray the plant until it is thoroughly wet but not to the point of runoff.

Because repeated tillage easily controls wild blackberries, they aren't a problem in cultivated agricultural systems. Single cultivation, however, can fragment the rhizomes and spread the weed. Bulldozing also can cause resprouting and can spread the weed by fragmenting roots and stems. Mowing and burning aren't effective for controlling wild blackberries as they only provide short-term canopy reduction.

Because many blackberry species are native or of economic importance, biocontrol isn't a practical control method. In Australia, blackberry leaf rust (Phragmidium violaceum) has been released for control of the weed. Thus far this program has not been successful, because the rust hasn't caused significant damage to its host.