12 inch American beech stump shown with stunted stump sprout and root sucker growth. This can be achieved when herbicides are applied before the harvest. Herbicide absorption through the retained lower leaves (common to shade tolerant species) is very small and cannot kill the entire tree. However, there is often enough absorption to drastically disrupt the vigor of root suckers and stump sprouts which would otherwise occur after the harvest. Timing of your herbicide applications is important and can have a significan impact on the future composition of the forest understory. When large numbers of shade tolerant pole trees are selected for harvest AND stump sprouts from desirable trees are an important source of subsequent generations, THEN apply herbicides before the harvest.