Something that I've seen posted on this board, but have never witnessed or tried myself, is cutting off cattail stalks below the water's surface - where they'll reportedly die on their own.
My involvement with cattail management usually involves multiple acres (1 - 200+) in various settings; WMAs, hunting clubs, drainage canals, etc. Therefore, cutting and removing such infestations really isn't a viable option.
But, as you pointed out, pre-cutting small-area infestations may be a practical alternative to the ugliness of dead cattails left to rot on their own. I need to broaden my perspective to include such situations.
