What is the phenomenon whereby a herbicide applied to a target tree moves to nontarget trees?

The phenomenon of herbicide moving from a target tree to nontarget trees is known as drift. This occurs when tiny droplets of the herbicide, or vapors from the application, are carried away from the intended treatment area by wind or other environmental factors. This unintended movement can result in damage or unintentional herbicide effects on surrounding vegetation, including nontarget trees. Understanding drift is crucial for proper herbicide application and minimizing environmental impact, as it highlights the importance of timing and weather conditions during herbicide application.

Other terms, such as frilling, refer specifically to techniques used to apply herbicides directly into a tree without affecting surrounding plants, while concepts like transference and flashback are not standard terms associated with herbicide movement in this context.