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Crossbow Herbicide Review – How to Use for Best Results

No Crossbow herbicide review is complete without mentioning its ability to control leafy, woody plants, while sparing grasses. This means it’s perfectly safe to spray along the edge of your yard without worrying about hurting your grass. It is consistently reviewed by customers as knocking down stubborn plants that are resistive to many common lawn herbicides.

 

Use ForBrushy areas, natural areas of your lawn, trees, stumps
Active IngredientsTriclopyr and 2, 4-D
ApplicationSpray or apply directly to freshly-cut tree stumps with a brush
Typeelective, safe for most grasses
TranslocativeYes
TipsDo not spray near actively growing agricultural crops

Crossbow is Ideal for Brushy and Natural Areas

It is a versatile herbicide used to tackle a wide range of weed problems. This herbicide is great for controlling brushy areas along fields. In addition, it’s ideal for controlling weeds that pop up in natural areas around yards. Crossbow is ideal for weeds like Virginia creeper, blackberry and poison ivy. It kills and eliminates for the entire season!

Combination of Triclopyr and 2, 4-D

Crossbow gets its effectiveness from a combination of two proven weed killers: Triclopyr and 2,4-D. Triclopyr is a proven herbicide used in forest and land management. While 2,4-D is a seasoned herbicide for weed control in lawns. Together, these two form a powerful combination that’s tough on weeds, but gentle on grasses.

This method of action classifies Crossbow as a selective herbicide. In addition, it is also considered a systemic herbicide. These categories of herbicides are known for extended weed control. After coming into contact with the plant, it moves throughout the plant killing it for good.

Adjust Mix to Target Different Weeds

Crossbow is sold in a concentrated form, which means it has to be mixed with water. The type of target weeds will determine the percent concentrate needed. Refer to the instructions to find the appropriate volume of chemical based on the target weed and spray tank. For example, poison ivy and poison oak need a 1 to 1.5% solution. Thus, mix 1 ⅓ – 2 fl oz per gallon of water.

You'll need to increase the application rate for tall plants and trees. For treatment of brush higher than 8 feet, it may be best to remove the growth through mechanical means.

Mixing Directions for Crossbow

Crossbow does not form a perfect solution in water and must be agitated continuously to prevent separation.

Use this chart to find the amount of crossbow required for the given spray mixture.
Size of Sprayer (Gallons)1% Mixture1.5% Mixture4% Mixture
11 ⅓ fl oz2 fl oz5 ⅓ fl oz
34 fl oz6 fl oz1 pt
56 ⅔ fl oz10 fl oz1 ⅔ pt
502 qt3 qt2 gal
1001 gal1.5 gal4 gal

Broadleaf Weeds Controlled by Crossbow

1% Mixture - Apply 1 qt/acre1% Mixture - Apply 2 qt/acre1 to 1.5% Mixture - Apply 2-4 qt/acre1.5% Mixture - Apply 4 qt/acre
blueweedannual bedstrawspiny amaranthfield bindweed
annual buttercupblueburbuttercupwild carrot
horseweedburdockmouseear chickweedchicory (suppression)
common lambsquarterswhite sweet cloverwhite clovercinquefoil
wild mustardcockleburdandeliondogfennel (suppression)
common ragweedwooly crotoncurly dockannual fleabane
thyme-leaf spurgehemp dogbanehairy galinsogagoldenrod
tall ironweedgoatsbeardhorsenettle
wild lettucehenbitkudzu
tansy mustardwestern ironweedmarshelder
wild radishground ivymilkweed (suppression)
tansy ragwortkochiaperennial pepperweed
shepherd's purselespedezapokeweed
oxalissesbania (suppression)
field pennycressperennial sowthistle
field pepperweedleafy spurge
redroot pigweedbull thistle
broadleaf plantainCanada thistle
narrow-leaf plantainmusk thistle
annual purslaneyarrow
bitter sneezeweed
annual sowthistle
sunflower
Russian thistle
vetch
wild violet
biennial wormwood
yellow rocket

When to Apply Crossbow

For control of woody plants, it's best to apply when the plant's growth rate is actively growing. This occurs in spring and early summer after full leaf.

Crossbow Can Kill Trees and Stumps

Crossbow can also be used to kill smaller trees and stumps. Thin bark trees that are less than 6” in diameter can be treated by a basal bark application. This involves mixing Crossbow with an oil carrier and spraying to the outside of the trunk. To kill freshly cut stumps, use a brush to apply Crossbow concentrate directly to the stump. Refer to the Crossbow label for detailed instructions on these two methods.

Best Places to Buy Crossbow

Buy at Do My Own  & Get Free Shipping 

DoMyOwn.com is the Amazon of herbicides, fertilizers, and applicators. Lawn & Petal strongly recommend you buy Crossbow from DoMyOwn.

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Buy on Amazon

When it is in stock, Amazon can be a great option especially if you have a Prime membership and can get free shipping.

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Applying Crossbow Herbicide

The best time to spray Crossbow herbicide is in the spring and summer when plants are actively growing. Mornings are also a better time to spray. Temperatures are usually lower and humidity is higher. When spraying, thoroughly wet all the leaves of the target weeds for best results.

While Crossbow will have no impact on grasses, be careful around ornamental plants since it can cause some damage. Do not spray this product around ponds or where it may runoff into ponds as Crossbow is toxic to fish and other aquatic animals. Lastly, Crossbow will kill agricultural crops, like cotton, so do not spray around fields.

Use Crossbow herbicide in all areas where you want to effectively kill broadleaf weeds or brushy, woody plants. When sprayed according to the label, Crossbow is a safe, effective option to manage the edge of yards and natural areas.

Timelapse Video of Crossbow Application

In order to prepare for this crossbow herbicide review, we sprayed an area of woody plants and vines to create this timelapse video.

Crossbow Herbicide Review – Final Analysis

If you need to control thicker, woody plants and bushes, then crossbow is what you need. Its combination of Triclopyr, 2, 4-D, and an oil carrier make it a deadly herbicide for otherwise herbicide-resistant plants, vines, and weeds.

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