Slashing

Gorse Management

Slashing uses a large mechanical cutter attached to a tractor to reduce the body of gorse. Slashing works best for large gorse patches although it is not suitable for large mature woody gorse because of physical design limitations. The slasher will not reach gorse below the slasher cutting level and slashing can encourage gorse to flower and seed at lower height levels.

Control Method Rating

Cost

Low | Medium | High

Efficacy

• • •

When

Slashing is possible all year but avoid wet conditions for safety and hot dry conditions due to fire risk.

Pros & Cons

Slashing is best for maintaining control rather than eradicating gorse. It improves access to dense patches and because the gorse grows back at an even size, it can be easier to treat. While slashing avoids disturbing the soil so reduces erosion risks it does encourage the root system of gorse to grow which can reduce the effectiveness of later treatments.

Follow up

It is vital to follow-up slashing with other treatments. Seedlings or regrowth should be at least 40 centimetres high before treating so it can absorb the herbicide effectively.

Other Control Methods

Herbicidal Control

Mechanical Control

Alternative Methods

More Information

Working with contractors for effective gorse management

Working with contractors (print-friendly version)

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Cultural Heritage Awareness

Landholders must be careful to avoid further damage to the environment (including waterways) and Aboriginal cultural heritage sites when using machinery. Be aware of your legal obligations and obtain the necessary permits. Aboriginal Cultural Heritage may be found during works at any time, at any place.

If suspected heritage is discovered, work is to cease and a Preliminary Report Form must be completed and sent to vahr@dpc.vic.gov.au. If you are unsure, seek advice from Agriculture Victoria, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, First Peoples – State Relations (formerly Aboriginal Victoria) or your local council.

Disclaimer

The information provided by this website is intended for general information only and should not be relied on or used as a substitute for professional advice for your particular situation.

Before undertaking any weed or rabbit management, always obtain advice from a qualified expert, with respect to your own situation. Always read and follow the label before using any of the products mentioned and ensure that you are undertaking weed and rabbit management in the appropriate conditions and in the appropriate manner.

We do not guarantee this website is without flaw of any kind, or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes, and therefore disclaim all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information contained on the website for any purpose.

This project is an initiative of the Victorian Gorse Taskforce, the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party and the Victorian Rabbit Action Network and is funded a project by the Australian Government Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper in collaboration with Agriculture Victoria.