Honey locust trees are common across Texas, thriving in both rural and urban areas. While they may offer shade and forage for wildlife, they can also become invasive when left uncontrolled. Farmers, ranchers, and landowners often face challenges when honey locust trees spread aggressively, competing with pastures and grazing lands.
Using the right herbicide is one of the most effective ways to control honey locust in Texas. The proper herbicide not only targets the trees but also prevents regrowth, ensuring long-term land management success.
Choosing the best solution requires considering soil type, weather conditions, and the scale of infestation.
This detailed guide covers the 10 best herbicides for honey locust in Texas. Each herbicide is explained in detail, with clear benefits and drawbacks to help you make an informed decision. Whether you are managing a ranch, pasture, or backyard, these solutions provide powerful results.
10 Best Herbicide For Honey Locust In Texas
1. Remedy Ultra – Best Herbicide for Pasture Control
Remedy Ultra is widely recognized for its effectiveness against woody plants like honey locust. It works as a systemic herbicide, penetrating the plant through leaves and stems and moving into the root system. This ensures complete eradication rather than just top growth suppression.
One major advantage of Remedy Ultra is its selective control. It targets honey locust and similar woody plants without harming most grasses, making it ideal for Texas pastures. Ranchers prefer it because it allows grazing animals to return after a short waiting period.
The herbicide is also flexible in application, whether used as a foliar spray, basal bark treatment, or cut-stump application. This adaptability ensures landowners can apply it according to their specific infestation severity.
Pros:
• Systemic action
• Selective control
• Pasture safe
• Multiple methods
• Long-lasting
• Reliable results
• Easy to mix
Cons:
• Strong odor
• Higher cost
• Needs precision
2. Tordon 22K – Best Herbicide for Root Control
Tordon 22K is a powerful option for controlling honey locust by killing trees down to the roots. It works well when applied as a soil treatment or stump application, preventing regrowth for years. This herbicide is often recommended for heavily infested ranch lands in Texas.
It contains picloram, a potent ingredient effective against woody and broadleaf plants. Once absorbed, it circulates throughout the plant system, ensuring honey locust cannot resprout. This makes it a dependable long-term solution.
Tordon 22K is highly effective but must be used carefully, as it can also affect desirable broadleaf plants. Landowners need to apply it with caution near water sources and sensitive vegetation.
Pros:
• Kills roots
• Long-lasting
• Soil active
• Prevents regrowth
• Ranch proven
• Easy application
• Consistent results
Cons:
• Non-selective
• Restricted use
• Potential drift
3. Crossbow Herbicide – Best Mix for Brush and Broadleaf
Crossbow combines triclopyr and 2,4-D, making it a dual-action solution for woody species like honey locust. This blend provides strong foliar activity, ensuring quick uptake through leaves. It is especially effective when honey locust is young and actively growing.
Ranchers in Texas use Crossbow because it not only controls honey locust but also targets other brushy weeds. This makes it a great multi-purpose option for maintaining large pastures. Its effectiveness increases when applied during warm weather seasons.
The herbicide is best used as a foliar spray or mixed with oil for basal bark applications. Its broad coverage ensures fewer retreatments, saving both time and cost in the long run.
Pros:
• Dual formula
• Fast uptake
• Wide coverage
• Pasture friendly
• Flexible use
• Reduces weeds
• Effective blend
Cons:
• Odor strong
• Higher cost
• Not water-safe
4. GrazonNext HL – Best Herbicide for Ranch Pastures
GrazonNext HL is a favorite among Texas ranchers due to its safety for grazing cattle. It targets woody plants like honey locust while leaving grass largely unaffected. This selective action makes it ideal for managing productive pastures.
Its formulation includes aminopyralid and 2,4-D, providing long-lasting soil residual control. This means honey locust regrowth is significantly reduced after treatment. Ranchers appreciate its reliability for both large and small infestations.
Application is straightforward, usually as a foliar spray during active growth. With fewer retreatments required, it saves labor and herbicide costs over time.
Pros:
• Cattle safe
• Long residual
• Soil active
• Selective action
• Wide coverage
• Cost effective
• Ranch tested
Cons:
• Restricted use
• Sensitive crops
• Drift risk
5. Pathfinder II – Best Ready-to-Use Basal Bark Herbicide
Pathfinder II is designed for easy basal bark applications against woody plants like honey locust. It comes ready-to-use, requiring no mixing, which saves time and effort. This makes it ideal for landowners with smaller infestations or those preferring convenience.
Its formulation contains triclopyr ester in a mineral oil carrier. This allows deep penetration into bark tissues, ensuring systemic control of honey locust. Once applied, it effectively prevents regrowth and spreads through the root system.
Because it does not require dilution, Pathfinder II reduces user errors during mixing. It is a dependable solution for spot treatments along fence lines, roadsides, and small ranch areas.
Pros:
• Ready-to-use
• Deep penetration
• Prevents regrowth
• Easy handling
• No mixing
• Reliable action
• Spot effective
Cons:
• Costly option
• Oil residue
• Limited coverage
6. Surmount Herbicide – Best Broadleaf and Woody Plant Solution
Surmount is a highly effective herbicide combining picloram and fluroxypyr. This dual action gives it excellent activity against honey locust and other unwanted woody plants in Texas. Its systemic action ensures thorough control, including roots and resprouts.
One of its strongest advantages is soil residual activity. This allows long-lasting suppression of regrowth and secondary infestations. Ranchers prefer it for areas where honey locust tends to spread quickly.
It is best applied during warm growing seasons for optimal uptake. Surmount provides dependable results, especially in large pasture management programs.
Pros:
• Dual formula
• Residual control
• Root active
• Pasture effective
• Broad spectrum
• Ranch tested
• Long lasting
Cons:
• Restricted use
• Higher price
• Sensitive plants
7. Velpar L Herbicide – Best Soil-Applied Herbicide
Velpar L works differently from foliar sprays, as it is applied directly to the soil. Honey locust absorbs it through the roots, making it a highly effective systemic treatment. This method ensures that even stubborn plants are fully controlled.
It contains hexazinone, which is active in soil for extended periods. This prevents regrowth and helps suppress other brushy plants competing with forage grasses. Landowners in Texas use it for heavy infestations that require aggressive solutions.
However, because it is soil-active, care must be taken near water sources and sensitive crops. Its effectiveness makes it suitable for wide-scale management in non-crop areas.
Pros:
• Soil applied
• Root control
• Long residual
• Strong systemic
• Suppresses brush
• Ranch trusted
• Aggressive action
Cons:
• Water risk
• Non-selective
• Higher cost
8. Arsenal Herbicide – Best Non-Crop Area Solution
Arsenal herbicide is a non-selective option for controlling honey locust in non-crop areas. It is often used along rights-of-way, fence lines, and rangeland perimeters. Its active ingredient, imazapyr, provides long-lasting residual soil activity.
The herbicide works systemically, moving from foliage to roots. Once absorbed, it prevents regrowth for years, making it a highly dependable option for stubborn infestations. Texas landowners value its effectiveness in managing invasive trees outside of productive pastures.
Because it is non-selective, Arsenal must be used carefully to avoid injury to desirable plants. Its strength makes it best for targeted non-crop applications.
Pros:
• Systemic action
• Long residual
• Prevents regrowth
• Non-crop safe
• Strong control
• Ranch proven
• Easy spray
Cons:
• Non-selective
• Higher risk
• Drift possible
9. Reclaim Herbicide – Best Herbicide for Mesquite and Locust
Reclaim herbicide is designed for woody plants such as mesquite but is also effective against honey locust. It contains clopyralid, which delivers reliable systemic control. Texas ranchers use it for brush management programs across large rangelands.
When mixed with Remedy Ultra, it becomes even more powerful, creating a synergistic effect. This combination ensures thorough control, especially when honey locust infestations are dense. Alone, it is still strong enough for spot and foliar treatments.
Reclaim is appreciated for its flexibility, as it can be tailored for both light and heavy infestations. Its systemic activity makes it dependable for long-term results.
Pros:
• Systemic action
• Flexible use
• Ranch trusted
• Strong alone
• Mix adaptable
• Prevents regrowth
• Reliable control
Cons:
• Needs mixing
• Higher price
• Limited crops
10. PastureGard HL – Best Herbicide for Selective Brush Control
PastureGard HL combines triclopyr and fluroxypyr, making it effective for both broadleaf weeds and woody plants like honey locust. Its dual action ensures quick absorption and long-term suppression. Ranchers in Texas prefer it for its selective safety on grasses.
It works well for foliar sprays and basal bark applications. Its effectiveness is maximized during active plant growth when honey locust trees are taking in nutrients. PastureGard HL is particularly useful for maintaining productive grazing lands.
The herbicide provides dependable brush management while reducing the need for frequent reapplications. It is a reliable tool for long-term pasture health.
Pros:
• Selective action
• Dual formula
• Quick uptake
• Grass safe
• Long lasting
• Flexible use
• Reliable results
Cons:
• Expensive option
• Strong odor
• Limited supply
Herbicide for Honey Locust in Texas FAQs
1. What time of year is best to spray honey locust in Texas?
The best time is during the growing season, usually spring through summer, when honey locust is actively absorbing nutrients.
2. Can honey locust be controlled without herbicides?
Yes, mechanical methods like cutting or digging can help, but regrowth is common without herbicides.
3. Are these herbicides safe for cattle grazing?
Many herbicides like GrazonNext HL and Remedy Ultra are safe for cattle once the recommended waiting period is followed.
4. How long does it take to see results after spraying?
Visible results may appear within weeks, but complete dieback may take several months.
5. Do these herbicides affect grasses in Texas pastures?
Selective herbicides generally spare grasses, but non-selective products like Arsenal can harm them if misapplied.
6. How do I choose the best herbicide for my land?
Consider factors like infestation size, location, desired selectivity, and whether cattle graze the area.
7. Do I need a license to buy or apply these herbicides in Texas?
Some restricted-use herbicides like Tordon 22K require a license, while others are available for general use.
Conclusion
Managing honey locust in Texas requires the right balance of control, cost, and land safety. Herbicides provide one of the most effective solutions, offering long-term suppression of regrowth. From selective options like Remedy Ultra and GrazonNext HL to powerful soil-active choices like Velpar L and Arsenal, landowners have multiple tools at their disposal.
When choosing the best herbicide, consider whether your land supports livestock, the size of infestation, and nearby sensitive crops. Applying herbicides at the right season improves success and reduces the need for repeated treatments.
By investing in the right herbicide, you protect your pastures, improve productivity, and prevent invasive trees from spreading further. Always follow label instructions and safety precautions for best results.
Take action today by selecting one of the recommended herbicides to reclaim your land from honey locust in Texas. With proper management, your pastures can thrive again, supporting both cattle and healthy ecosystems.