How to Control Sycamore Seedlings & Saplings in Paddocks

Around spring time it is often a common sight to see flushes of sycamore seedlings in equine paddocks. Learn why it is crucial to remove these seedlings.

Key Facts

Common Names: Sycamore seedlings, helicopter seeds
Timings: Seeds falling in autumn and winter, beginning to see germinating seedlings in spring.

About

Around springtime it is often a common sight to see flushes of sycamore seedlings in equine paddocks. Many paddock owners realise how important it is to control sycamore seedlings. Particularly if the paddocks in which they are falling into are grazed by horses and ponies. Some seedlings contain the toxin Hypoglycin A. Ingestion of this toxin can cause a potentially fatal condition called equine atypical myopathy.

How to Control Sycamore Seedlings & Saplings:

Cultural Methods

During the autumn and winter when each sycamore seedling falls from the trees, if you see them on the ground, rake them up and dispose of them before they have a chance to set seed and become saplings. If the saplings have begun to grow, it is possible to pull them out by hand while they are still very young. If there are large amounts of young sycamore seedlings, however, using a weed killer is best to ensure all are controlled effectively.

It is important to regularly check your paddocks to see if any seedlings have fallen or new saplings are beginning to grow. If you think that you have sycamore seedlings in your paddock but are unsure and would like a weed identifying, please email us a photo to info@progreen.co.uk, call 01778 394052 or WhatsApp 07561 029487 to speak to a qualified agronomist.

What are the best weed killers to control sycamore saplings in paddocks?

There are a couple of ways in which sycamore saplings can be controlled. The following selective weed killers, Grazon Pro and Doxstar, will give good control of these saplings while not affecting the surrounding grassland. These are, however, professional use products and therefore require qualifications to apply them legally (for more information on gaining sprayer and pesticide application qualifications, explore here). For equine paddock owners who do not hold NPTC sprayer qualifications, then the amateur product SBK Brushwood Killer will also give overall good control.

If you are not worried about the grass surrounding the sycamore saplings, a total, glyphosate weed killer can be used. We would recommend the use of Roundup Proactive mixed with our Amvista Blue Marker Dye which allows you to see where you have treated, ensuring that all areas where the sycamore saplings were, have been covered and none have been missed.

Equine owners need to be aware that once the area that sycamore saplings have been treated, horses and ponies should not return to that area until the plants have completely died back and rotted which can take up to several weeks. Please ensure to refer to the label as such conditions may vary.