What is the best description of how to apply basal bark treatment?

The best description of how to apply basal bark treatment is by spraying the lower 12-18 inches of the trunk. This method involves using a diluted herbicide solution that penetrates the bark and reaches the living tissue beneath. The significant advantage of this technique is that it targets the vascular system of the tree, allowing the herbicide to move through the plant and disrupt its physiological processes, leading to control of unwanted vegetation.

Applying herbicides to the foliage of nearby plants, focusing on the upper branches of the tree, or applying herbicides directly to the soil does not effectively address the specific mechanism involved in basal bark treatment. Those methods may not reach the desired areas of the plant to provide effective control or may impact non-target plants. The basal bark technique is specifically designed for treating the lower portion of the trunk to ensure that the herbicide effectively enters the plant system.