MDA warning homeowners about grass clippings from lawns treated with Imprelis

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is advising homeowners and applicators not to compost grass clippings from lawns treated with DuPont’s Imprelis herbicide, and not to spread grass clippings or use them as mulch around trees, ornamental beds or in gardens.

MDA and officials in other states started receiving reports in June linking the use of Imprelis (active ingredient: aminocyclopyrachlor) with damage to coniferous trees, primarily White pine, and White and Norway spruce. Reported symptoms included twisting and curling, possibly followed by browning of needles, shoots and branch tips. Injury has also been seen on other ornamental plants and deciduous trees. Recently, the EPA and DuPont have taken action to remove the product from the marketplace.

Imprelis is primarily marketed to and used by lawn care companies and other professional applicators for control of broadleaf weeds such as dandelion, ground ivy and clover.

According to MDA Pesticide and Fertilizer Division Director Greg Buzicky, grass clippings from lawns treated with Imprelis herbicide may still contain enough of the product to damage some plants.

“We want to make sure people understand that there may be a related impact if using grass clippings from yards where this product was used,” Buzicky said. “Homeowners should not spread Imprelis-treated grass clippings near trees, other ornamental plants or gardens. If clippings are not left on the lawn, they can be disposed of in the trash, but only where allowed by local yard waste regulations. Clippings should not be added to garden compost or collected for composting facilities.”

Homeowners who hired a lawn care company to treat their lawns in 2011 and now are seeing signs of damage to their trees or ornamental plants should contact their lawn service provider to report the damage. Concerned homeowners may also contact DuPont’s Imprelis hotline at 866-796-4783.

For more information, visit MDA’s website at http://www.mda.state.mn.us.

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