Plane spreading unknown substance

[canecutter]

Wondering if anyone would know what the plane flying over my property was broadcasting.
It was overhead all day today, only a few hundred feet and I could hear the tiny pellets falling. They have the appearance of tiny moth balls. Pinhead size crystalline white balls.
They were obviously spreading the substance on the large timber tract adjoining my property but much of it was landing on my property.
I'll be trying to figure this out but have no clue or even who to contact yet. Worried about the effect it may have on my water, trees etc...
Would feel better to know what it might be.

[Ross]

Fertilizer? Wow I'd save a sample and get onto your county officials.

[COWS]

Possibly nitrogen fertilizer. I have heard of them fertilizing trees but not often. Another possibility is herbicides to kill "weed" trees, i.e., hardwoods in a pine forest. You can keep an eye out for trees dying, but I think fertilizer is more likely. Keep us informed, please.

KEH

[Menglish]

Mosquito control?

[rambler]

As a corn soybean farmer, I too would guess nitrogen fertilizer as white pellets. But, don't know what they put on forests, I know they fertilize some trees. You don't list a location, or if its a private forest, I'll assu e its pine trees.

I see on a quick web search the southern pine forests can put 200-300 lbs of N and also P and K (dark greenish and redish pebbles) on, depending on the age of the trees around you. They also mention weed control.

Paul

[LoonyK]

yep, as others said, sounds like fertilizer, they do that with pastures around here, and help fertilize my place if the wind is good.

[Sculkrusha]

Down here we have a friend who pilots an "Air Tractor". He is employed for all sorts of things, ie water bombing fires in summer, spreading fertilizer, or like now, he is dropping cricket poison.

Cheers.......Scul

[wannabechef]

Originally Posted by Menglish

Mosquito control?

No granular mosquito control products unless maybe for larvae in water and I doubt that even exists.

[tinknal]

My guess would be some sort of gypsy moth or army worm control.

[nancy237]

That would really bother me, unknown stuff being spread on my property..

I would call the sheriff dept and have them talk to the property owners

[agmantoo]

On the adjacent timber tract what is the current size/status of the trees?

[Bearfootfarm]

Unless it's the DEEP South, it's too early for Mosquito control
I'd say fertilizer also

Planes can spread most anything in areas where other equipment can't go

[deaconjim]

If you want to know for sure, contact your state Dept of Agriculture. Anyone broadcasting by air has to be licensed.

[tinknal]

I've never heard of anyone fertilizing forest land. Is this a southern thing? Is this a plantation forest?

[deaconjim]

Originally Posted by tinknal

I've never heard of anyone fertilizing forest land. Is this a southern thing? Is this a plantation forest?

In some places pine trees are a row crop.

[tinknal]

Originally Posted by deaconjim

In some places pine trees are a row crop.

Yep, I've seen southern pine plantations, I just wasn't aware that they fertilized them.

[Vosey]

They spray for pine beetles out here for forest fire control. Dead pine trees can make a forest fire burn very big. The logging companies sometimes re-seed by air. They were seeding a clear cut across the river from us last spring by air.

[Jan in CO]

If the plane returns, check with binoculars and record the number on the bottom of the wings, then contact the nearest airport or FAA office to determine who owns the plane. Go from there to track the owner down, and find out what is being spread. I would be worried, too! Gather a few of the granules and keep for processing if you determine it is something toxic to your ground or water. Keep us updated!

[Dolly]

What is the name of the timber company? You should be able to call them and find out what was being spread.

[canecutter]

Thanks for all the input..
I strongly suspect it is a broad leaf herbicide. I'm highly upset by it and will contact all authorities including the EPA, As bad as I hate to deal with them..
An internet search leads to most crystalline substances being herbicides.
The Pine forest is maybe ten to twelve years old. Pine forest are not fertilized here as far as I know and mosquito's are not a worry here in this upland rural area.
I have witnessed the company owned forest managers poison all hardwoods regardless of size. Back then they used a axe, gave the tree a few wacks around the base after dipping the bit in a herbicide. So I have to worry about what they are doing now..
Will update this tomorrow.