Question for Ozarks Tom

[wildhorseluvr]

Is it possible for Tordon to affect the soil/surrounding vegetation when it’s applied ONLY with a Q-tip to the cut stump or branches of the tree/bush you want to kill…NOT spraying it? I was extremely careful applying the Tordon (worried about Crazy Dog eating it), not a drop ended up on the soil, just a very thin dab on some cut watersprouts. 

I used it very sparingly in the backyard last summer on a few watersprouts in the vicinity of a raised bed that is currently overgrown with tulips, daffodils, etc. I plan to eventually eradicate the flowers and replace them with veggies. So I just realized a few of the watersprouts I killed off are fairly close to that raised bed area.  Not one tulip, daffodil, rosebush, etc has been affected whatsoever, but they’re not going to end up on my dinner plate either. 

[Ozarks Tom]

wildhorseluvr, Not being a scientist, all I can tell you is Tordon stays within the root system of the plant that was poisoned. Now, it would seem logically that the root system over time decays and the chemical would be in the surrounding soil, but in such a very minor content as to not affect the area. That's why I've always recommended using the least amount necessary.

I've never noticed an absence of flora in the area I've used Tordon in, with the exception of all the connected plants dying.

I don't hesitate to use it for problem plants, but I do use is very topically.