Does anybody have experience with basal spraying mesquite after rains? I know there's guidelines of how long it should be applied before rains but any experience after rains (12+ hours) when the ground is still muddy?

I am experienced at basal spray of mesquite, not claiming expert level but confident I get 90% kill. I mix a 2% solution of remedy and diesel, liberally spray the trunk up to and a little above the first fork (crotch) and all the way down to ground. I really focus on getting ground around the trunk/s saturated looking like it's pooling up, trying to make sure the growth ring, which is just below ground's surface, is completely contacted by the solution.
In regards to your question, I would not spend the time or money basal spraying mesquite for a few days of drying up time, nor with rain in the forecast.
Just my two cents

If its sloshy muddy I would wait at least until ground is soft but stable. But Im imagining an oil based application (w/ diesel) is still going to perform relatively well even if you went ahead with it while muddy, assuming you coat thick and the mud doesn't cover the cut or the sides of the bases.

But spraying brush with mud skis sounds like a day I would avoid if possible.

wai3gotgoats said:

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I am experienced at basal spray of mesquite, not claiming expert level but confident I get 90% kill. I mix a 2% solution of remedy and diesel, liberally spray the trunk up to and a little above the first fork (crotch) and all the way down to ground. I really focus on getting ground around the trunk/s saturated looking like it's pooling up, trying to make sure the growth ring, which is just below ground's surface, is completely contacted by the solution.
In regards to your question, I would not spend the time or money basal spraying mesquite for a few days of drying up time, nor with rain in the forecast.
Just my two cents

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2% or 20%?

OP just wanting to brag that he got some rain. Send some our way if you've got enough to make mud.

Kidding of course, glad to see you're still carrying on with your mesquite crusade.

8 ounces of remedy in 3 gallons of diesel.
3 gallons = 384 ounces
384 x .02 = 7.68 ounces
I do admit to being close to 47 years from being in a classroom at A&M, and often going about my calculations backassward, but I think my 8 ounce of remedy in 3 gallons of diesel is a 2% solution.
I could probably spray less if I used a 20% solution but my pea brain starts hurting quickly with that kind of cipherin.

This hopefully will help:

https://southtexasrangelands.tamu.edu/files/2021/11/how-to-beat-mesquite.pdf

dr_boogs said:

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OP just wanting to brag that he got some rain. Send some our way if you've got enough to make mud.

Kidding of course, glad to see you're still carrying on with your mesquite crusade.

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It has been crazy out in west texas... a week ago it was slow and steady for a few days up to 3/4 of an inch then Monday got another 3/4 of an inch. Can't recall it being muddy and green out here in mid november!

I use a 33% mix of Remedy to diesel. Anything less doesn't ensure good kill success where we are. I have tried the 19% mix with good success on yucca but not mesquite.

I don't think there should be any issue, assuming the stem/trunk is dry enough that the residual moisture is not diluting your mix/causing it to run off rather than penetrate.

I'll not argue with the poster above, regarding a "2%" mixture, other than to ssy that I'm not aware of ANY "experts" recommending a mix that dilute. The lowest I've seen recommended has been about 15% (1 quart in 5 quarts diesel), and most recommend 20% (1 in 4) or 25% (1 in 3).

I spray from the ground up to about 18" high.

I've had lots of issues with constant clogging in the 5500-x1 tip that BrushBusters recommends, so will often use a 5500-x3. It wastes more material, but is much less frustrating.

When we did basal sprays to kill invasives years and years ago, we used a 25% Tryclopyr 75% citrus oil mix (they called it JB oil - I can't remember where they bought it from. Probably govt contract - was with the NPS). Seemed to kill every time. We either used a spray bottle to apply or a paint brush, depending on how large the stem was.

https://extension.psu.edu/using-basal-bark-herbicide-applications-to-control-understory-tree-species

I DID find a study from Penn State, using much lower concentrations of Triclopyr. Looks like they had good success at 5%, but I WILL mention that this was obviously in tree species that grow in PA, not TX. They didn't have Mesquite trees, and, knowing Mesquite, I'd be concerned that it would require higher concentrations to kill, effectively.

Anyway, a somewhat interesting read (well, for some of us, at least).

I use a 1.5 gallon hand pump sprayer and add about 8 oz. remedy into the diesel. On thinly barked trees Only go about 6 inches up. Those with heavy bark have to be saturated more thoroughly. Sometimes it helps to knock off some of the bark.

Or cut it down with a chainsaw and spray the stump.