Herbicides before/after Planting

An extremely common question we receive is "What herbicides should I use to keep weeds/grass down before and after planting?"

Our official answer is this:

We don't supply recommendations for herbicides where new trees were/are going to be planted because newly planted trees are highly sensitive to chemical exposure, and improper herbicide use can cause serious damage or even kill young trees. The root systems of new plantings are still developing and may absorb herbicides more readily, especially if products are not applied correctly or if residual chemicals remain in the soil. Additionally, the effectiveness and safety of herbicide use depend on many site-specific factors, including soil type, tree species, weather conditions, and nearby vegetation. Given these complexities and the risk of unintentional harm, it's best to consult a local forestry expert or extension service for site-specific guidance rather than offering general recommendations. 

Our "more common sense / human" answer is this:

We actually don't know a ton about herbicides.    We use them on occasion, but when we do we go to the local coop and consult an expert.    We have absolutely nothing against it, it's just that our knowledgebase is not very good.