Cut'n'Paste Picloram Plus + Aminopyralid

We are pleased to announce that we have added a new Weed Gel to our line. Cut’n’Paste Picloram Plus+. This new Cut’n’Paste Weed Gel has an additional herbicide ingredient to improve the effectiveness of the Picloram gel: Aminopyralid.

This formula takes our trusted Picloram gel base and supercharges it by adding aminopyralid. Because aminopyralid is added on top of our full-strength picloram formulation – and is even more active gram-for-gram – Picloram Plus+ delivers our most robust, broad-spectrum control yet.

Double the Knockdown with Cut’n’Paste Picloram Plus + Aminopyralid

Both picloram and aminopyralid are synthetic auxins (Group 4 herbicides). Rather than inhibiting growth or blocking nutrients directly, they mimic natural plant growth hormones:

The Mechanism: The active ingredients trigger rapid, uncontrolled cell division. This distorted, chaotic growth causes structural blockages in the plant’s internal water and nutrient transport systems, causing the weed to literally ‘grow itself to death’.
Complementary Action: Picloram acts as the primary heavy hitter for deep-rooted woody brush and gorse. Aminopyralid moves rapidly to root tips, sharpening the formula’s effectiveness against tough broadleaf invaders like thistles, ragwort, and docks that often grow around woody brush.
Maximum Potency: Combining these two actives targets different plant receptors simultaneously, broadening the range of susceptible species and preventing regrowth.

Cut’n’Paste Picloram Plus+ Weed Gel product includes the triisopropanolamine salt of aminopyralid (at 4.47 g/L) alongside the potassium salt of picloram (at 44.7 g/L).

The Overall Benefits of Adding Aminopyralid

You kill two types of weeds in one application When clearing brush, gorse, or wilding pines, you almost always have broadleaf weeds (thistles, ragwort, docks) growing around the base or invading the disturbed soil right after. Picloram hits the woody stems, while aminopyralid wipes out the surrounding broadleaf weeds.
It makes the gel more potent (without adding bulk) You aren’t replacing any picloram – you get the full strength of standard Picloram Gel, plus aminopyralid on top. Gram-for-gram, aminopyralid is more active and potent than picloram, making the overall gel significantly stronger.
Faster, deeper root kill on stubborn weeds Aminopyralid moves (translocates) rapidly through plant tissues straight to the growing root tips. This prevents deep-rooted perennial weeds from re-sprouting from hidden underground roots.
Cleaner, longer-lasting site recovery Because aminopyralid provides excellent residual control against broadleaf seed germination, the cleared spot stays weed-free longer—giving native plants or pasture grass time to establish without being choked out.

Typical uses of Picloram Plus + Weed Gel

Targeting Tough Species: Controls stubborn woody weeds and invasive broadleaves, including docks, thistles, lantana, gorse, broom, ragwort, blackberry, privet and “Wilding Pines“.
Land Management: Ideal for clearing brush, wilding pines, and regrowth across pasture, rangelands, forestry, conservation land, utility rights-of-way, and non-crop areas.

Key Characteristics

Broad-Spectrum Dual Action: Combines picloram and aminopyralid to control a wider range of woody brush and broadleaf weeds simultaneously.
Systemic Translocation: Moves rapidly into plant vascular systems and down to root tips to prevent resprouting from underground roots.
Residual Soil Activity: Remains active in the soil to prevent seed germination and root regrowth in cleared areas. (Note: Picloram and aminopyralid are soil-mobile and persistent for months, so care should be taken near desirable non-target plants or waterways. Also, treated green waste or manure must not be used in compost – see footer notes).

Applications

Rangelands and Pastures: Used for control of invasive and noxious broadleaf weeds without harming established pasture grasses.
Forestry and Industrial Sites: Applied in forestry blocks, woodlands, wildlife openings, and along utility rights-of-way to manage competing vegetation.

Safety and Environmental Considerations

Low Acute Toxicity: Aminopyralid is generally classed as having low acute toxicity to humans and animals across oral, dermal, and inhalation routes. (U.S. EPA classifies formulated end-use products like Milestone in Category IV / Caution).
Groundwater & Soil Mobility: There is a potential for groundwater contamination if misused, as active ingredients possess soil mobility.
PBT Status: Aminopyralid is not classified as persistent, bioaccumulating, and toxic (PBT) or very persistent and very bioaccumulating (vPvB).

Toxicity Profile (Human & Wildlife)

Human Health: Low acute toxicity via oral, dermal, and inhalation exposure.
Terrestrial Vertebrates & Invertebrates: The NZ EPA does not consider aminopyralid toxic to terrestrial vertebrates (birds, mammals) or terrestrial invertebrates (insects, bees).
Aquatic Organisms: Not considered toxic in aquatic environments at standard application levels.

Environmental Hazards

Soil Organisms: Formulated products containing aminopyralid are classified by the NZ EPA as hazardous to soil organisms.
Non-Target Plants: Highly toxic to non-target broadleaf plants outside the direct treatment zone.
Environmental Persistence: Aminopyralid breaks down slowly in soil (half-life exceeding 30 days) and persists in plant tissue and soil matter.

Compost, Manure & Disposal Precautions

Slow Environmental Breakdown: Synthetic auxins break down slowly in soil and plant tissue (with picloram being even more persistent than aminopyralid).
Manure & Compost Hazards: As highlighted by regulatory authorities globally – including the UK Health and Safety Executive (H SE) and the NZ EPA (Regulation 77A) – vegetation treated with synthetic auxins must never be used in compost, mulch, fertilizer, or mushroom substrate, nor transferred to green waste recycling facilities. Active residues pass intact through grazing livestock into manure and urine, where even trace amounts will severely damage sensitive broadleaf garden plants (e.g., tomatoes, potatoes, peas, beans, delphiniums, and phlox).
Compost Management: Do not compost treated plant matter or manure from livestock grazed on treated areas. To safely dispose of contaminated materials, spread them on soils where broadleaf crops will not be grown, incorporate them lightly into the soil, and irrigate thoroughly.

Environmental Risk Mitigation

Targeted Gel Application: The NZ EPA notes that environmental risks from aminopyralid are low when using targeted, localized application methods. Direct gel application eliminates spray drift entirely, protecting non-target species and surrounding ecosystems.