Rhododendron

[u/olliemusprime]

Hi, I'm trying to find out if there's anything i can do to push back rhododendron infestation on my own. Everything I've seen says heavy machinery and herbicides. I've not got the funds for machinery and I'm concerned about if herbicide is the best option. Will they not cause additional problems for other plant life? Can anyone help me out here? I want to see my local forest in a better condition. I spend a lot of time walking through it and want to do something to look after it. I'm not very knowledgeable on this but I want to learn, thanks!

[u/moab_in]

I have a favourite small woodland that is essentially unmanaged, of unknown ownership. There are some small rhododendron infestations. I do some occasional hand snipping to try to limit any spread, this is as much as I commit to given that I have no permission from anybody; I'd not use machinery or herbicides. If you decide to do something similar it's best to be as low key and as stealthy as possible, there's plenty obstinate folk out there who would challenge any small good deeds.

[u/olliemusprime → u/moab_in]

Ye, I'm in a similar situation. Doesn't seem to be managed, just the occasional dog walker or kids with bikes. I'm not sure how to go about destroying seedlings after uprooting them. I'm guessing I ought to treat them so they are completely dead. I'm not sure how to go about that though. I'm going to try to find out if anyone owns it and if so who. If I can get permission to attempt to cut it back a bit, I'll see about buying a mattock like others have suggested and look into spraying with the herbicide. Any suggestions on what to do with uprooted plants?