How is spray drift best managed in arboriculture?

Managing spray drift in arboriculture is critical for ensuring the efficacy of chemical applications while minimizing unintended impacts on surrounding vegetation, wildlife, and soil. The best management practice for controlling spray drift involves utilizing special nozzles designed for creating larger, viscous spray particles. These nozzles help reduce the potential for drift by producing larger droplets that are less likely to be carried away by the wind.

Using special nozzles allows for more precise application, as the larger droplets are heavier and tend to fall more directly to the targeted area rather than dispersing into the air. This method not only enhances the effectiveness of the herbicide application but also aligns with best practices in environmental stewardship by safeguarding adjacent areas from chemical exposure.

While other options, such as avoiding applications during windy conditions and reducing canopy size, can contribute to lowering the risk of drift, the direct modification of the application equipment through the use of appropriate nozzles addresses the problem at its source, making it a more effective strategy overall.