1. Evaluate the target species.
The first step in establishing a brush control program is to identify the dominant target species or group of species on the target site. This is important because each site generally has a mixture of brush, and it is impossible to tailor a single program to fit all possibilities.

2. Evaluate the target site.
The second step is to evaluate the target site itself. Consider potential site and environmental problems such as:
· Possible off-site movement of herbicides due to drift or runoff of drainage water.
· Potential surface water and groundwater contamination.
· Soil type (leachability and clay and organic matter content) and vegetative cover present.
· Possible injury to plants whose roots may extend into areas treated with soil active herbicides.

3. Choose the application method and the herbicide.
The third step in establishing a brush control program is choosing a program that:
· Meets the needs of the objective.
· Controls the weeds present.
· Is compatible with the location, topography, soil type, and nearby non-target plants.

Use Table 1 through 6 (see Tables) to match brush species to appropriate herbicides and application methods.

Some brush species can not be effectively controlled with herbicides. For example, species such as persimmon, sassafras, and sawbrier are difficult species to control with herbicides. A few herbicides provide suppression or partial control of these species, but none are very good.

Complete brush control from a single herbicide application rarely occurs due to the diversity of species and the age of brush at most sites. Landowners can compensate for this problem by either tank mixing two or more herbicides or using a follow-up treatment to control plants that escaped the first application. Follow-up applications are made the next growing season because it is impossible to make an accurate evaluation of control until that time.