Alligator Weed Management

Alligator weed has been a major issue in the water bodies at Hollytree for many years.  We have changed a few management strategies in the past few years that have helped to curb this issue. We depend on more granular fertilizer applications, instead of fertigating, in order to reduce the amount of nitrogen that gets into our lakes.  Monthly applications of an aquatic labeled 2,4-D help to keep the sub-surface growing weed at  bay.  The most effective treatment however has been physically removing the remaining growth in the winter. This completely eliminates the previous growing seasons tissue and doesn't give alligator weed a head start going into the next growing season.  It is time consuming but we have developed a few tricks that make it easier to manage.

This is the alligator weed in 2007 in the lake on the right side of 5.  If it is left unchecked it can take over an entire lake causing it to be aesthetically upleasing and causing problems for the wildlife that inhabits it.

The crew uses 36" landscape rakes with ropes tied to the handles.  They throw them in the water past the alligator weed and then pulls it back to the bank so it can be removed.

Once the alligator weed is on the bank the crew comes behind and loads it up with pitch forks and disposes of it.