• Prior to retiring an area any unwanted coppicing trees such as poplar, willow, Acacia, Robinia and some Eucalyptus species should be cut down and have their stumps poisoned particularly in riparian areas where they can block channels.
• In the absence of stock grazing, weed species may become established in retired areas.
• Planting vigorous leafy species of trees and shrubs will reduce weed problems.
• Invasive and persistent weeds such as blackberry may require control with herbicide.

Hand weeding is labour intensive, but environmentally friendly.

Mulching with organic materials such as straw is ongoing but mulching with synthetic products can be effective if installed properly although this option is also more expensive.

Controlling weeds will be an ongoing task until plantings can out compete unwanted species.

Competing plants like grass also need to be controlled (eg spot spraying) when planting seedlings to reduce competition.

Spot spray with a herbicide in a one metre area three weeks before planting and remove the turf in the actual planting spot to minimise residual poisoning.