Chemical Pruning - In My Opinion

Recently the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) implemented the practice of chemical pruning in my area and it has drawn a lot of negative feedback.

Chemical pruning is defined as the application to plants of chemicals that restrict shoot or root growth.  According to TXDOT this method of  spraying trees and vegetation with a chemical herbicide is the "most economical way to prune trees and maintain motorist safety".  They also claim it is 100% environmentally safe.

As I make the drive to and from work every day I look at the dead trees and limbs and wonder: (1) how all of the dead vegetation is allowing me to see better and be safer? and (2) how this can be environmentally safe?  The answer to both - it isn't! 

TXDOT maintains that they have been using this method in other areas with great success but a quick search online found that residents in other areas of the state have voiced the same concerns/complaints and got the same standardized answers that we got.  I guess TXDOT defines success as dead vegetation and no real answers.

Remember the title of this article states that this is my opinion, so:  First of all,  when you introduce a chemical into the environment and over waterways, that is designed to kill trees and other vegetation - it, by definition, is not 100% environmentally safe!  Second, when you are spraying this chemical from a truck located 15-20+ feet away from it's intended target - not all of the chemical will hit it's target.  Finally, TXDOT states that, in part, this is being done to maintain the safety of motorist but if someone is driving their car 20 feet off the roadway - they probably have other issues to worry about than whether the trees are alive or dead. 

I would challenge any TXDOT official to do two things: (1) ride with me down US Highway 281 and explain to me the benefits of this sporadic spraying and how it is helpful to my safety and (2) prove to me this chemical is 100% safe...put some (same concentration used in the spraying) in a glass of water and drink it!  Any takers??

Anyway, thank you TXDOT - now our roadways look terrible, the falling dead limbs are reducing motorist safety and our lakes and rivers have a new contaminant.  Great job!