Imprelis Herbicide Linked to Tree Damage, Say Reports

DuPont is facing mounting claims that their Imprelis herbicide kills mature trees, including Norway and Colorado spruce, white pines and other evergreens. Marketed as “the most scientifically advanced turf herbicide in over 40 years,” Imprelis was approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in October, 2010 and hailed as environmentally friendly. Last month, DuPont released a statement warning lawn care professionals not to use the product near Norway Spruce or White Pines, but reports of negative symptoms had already been reported from many states in the Northeast and Midwest.

We applied Imprelis at Stine-Haskell and the DuPont Country club this spring, and several white pine trees are showing signs of injury.

Imprelis is an herbicide designed to kill broadleaf weeds including dandelions and clover, but instead has reportedly caused bigger problems. Users of Imprelis have reported curling needles, widespread browning and dieback in mature trees, symptoms that have affected nearly the entire tree. DuPont has claimed that Imprelis underwent 400 tests and is approved for use in every U.S. state except New York and California. Many landscapers started using Imprelis this spring because it was reported to be safer for the environment than past chemicals. The reports of damage are so widespread that the EPA hosted a teleconference last week to talk with the departments of agriculture from several states to determine the relationship between tree damage and Imprelis usage.

Ironically, DuPont also experienced injury to trees on their own property near Newark, New Jersey. DuPont released a statement saying, “We applied Imprelis at Stine-Haskell and the DuPont Country club this spring, and several white pine trees are showing signs of injury. We have provided our customers information on how to care for trees showing signs of stress, and we are using those same methods ourselves. Some of our trees are responding positively to this care.” DuPont is one of the world's biggest chemical manufacturers, with over $31 billion in sales in 2010.

If you have experienced mature tree damage after using DuPont’s Imprelis herbicide, you may be entitled to pursue compensation for your losses. Contact an experienced Imprelis tree damage attorney by completing our form on the right to find out if you can seek compensation for property damage done to your golf course, lawn, field or park.