The cattail biomass will cause excess DO loss esp during winter as they decompose over the next 2-3 yr period. IMO spray them asap so the herbicide gets translocated into the roots which may take 10-20days. Then I would remove by any of various means as much leaf and or root biomass as possible. Be prepared to wipe and kill any sprouting cattails next year & the year after. Cattails are best killed systemically after they emerge and are at mid summer when moving fluids from leaves to the roots (storage) and not from roots to leaves as in early spring growth stages. Your cattail mess is why I hate cattails and do not allow them to be established. They can take over relatively quickly. There are much better habitat plants for smaller ponds (<5ac) than cattails. Cattails are good for pollution remediation, large wetlands, and lakes.
Your prior digging / removal did not work well because you did not first apply a systemic herbicide, allow it to translocate, and then use herbicide to eliminate any new regrowth.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 10/26/14 09:58 AM.
