Bush encroachment is increased woody-plant abundance or density in grassland and savanna. The issue is not simply that bushes exist. The issue is whether density and composition are reducing grazing, access, visibility, biodiversity or operational use.
Does this describe your site?
- Open veld is becoming continuously woody.
- Useful grass and accessible grazing space are declining.
- Vehicles, livestock or wildlife cannot move easily through the area.
- One or two woody species dominate large blocks.
- Cut bushes return as dense multi-stem regrowth.
Why it happens
Bush encroachment is normally multi-factorial. Grazing pressure, fire regime, rainfall, soil, seed distribution and land-use history can interact. A useful plan starts with the actual site rather than blaming one cause everywhere.
Control routes
| Route | Best considered when | Key question |
|---|---|---|
| Foliar | Plants are actively growing and can be covered | Can foliage be reached without unacceptable drift? |
| Cut stump | Individual stems can be cut and treated | Will every stem and fresh cut surface be treated? |
| Basal stem | Selective lower-stem treatment is label-supported | Are stem size and carrier suitable? |
| Soil applied | The target is label-listed and the root zone is acceptable | What are the soil, drainage and desirable-root risks? |
| Mechanical + follow-up | Immediate access or biomass reduction is needed | How will coppice and seedlings be managed? |
Research the plant next
Native encroacher
Sickle Bush
Open guide →Grassland encroacher
Bankrupt Bush
Open guide →Indigenous woody plant
Grewia flava
Open guide →Indigenous thorn tree
Senegalia erubescens
Open guide →Research basis: DFFE bush-encroachment policy material and OctuKem field-planning documents.