Broom burns

Cape Broom (Genista monspessulana) English Broom (Cytisus scoparius) Flax-Leaf Broom (Genista linifolia) Broom species are currently (August) in flower and can be easily identified this time of year infesting roadsides and bushland with their distinctive yellow pea flowers. It is highly flammable so thickets along roadsides and in native vegetation are an increasing fire hazard. By Christmas they form numerous hard seeds in pods and on a hot day pop the seeds out in their thousands. The seeds can last up to eighty years in soil. They are mainly spread through grading, slashing, water, and vehicle tyres. Broom can also be poisonous to stock. In South Gippsland these broom species are all classified noxious, regionally controlled which means it can not be sold or transported and landholders are expected to control and prevent its spread on their land. Brooms are native to scrub and open woodlands in the Mediterranean region, Europe, Portugal and the Azores. It was probably introduced to Australia as a garden or hedge plant and was widely planted last century. Once in infestation has taken hold it can potentially take up to twenty years to eliminate, so early detection is important. Small plants can be hand removed if the soil is soft enough, larger plants could be slashed before flowering and spray any re growth or foliar spray the whole plant with the registered chemical. Cut and paint with herbicide is also an option

Fennel

Not many people would realize that fennel in Victoria is classified a restricted noxious weed meaning that it is illegal to sell or transport. It is a widespread weed of disturbed land, found along waterways, grasslands and woodlands. Dense infestations can eliminate most other ground flora and can impede regeneration of native species. Distinctive by its strong aniseed smell when young has a very ferny like appearance then it shoots up to clusters of tiny yellow flowers, then produces many seeds which are distributed by water and wind. When crowns are disturbed or dislodged and come in contact with the soil vegetative production can occur. Therefore slashing will spread it even further. To control fennel it can be dug out making sure to remove all of the taproot. Material should be disposed carefully. Plants can be treated with the cut and paint method or a selective herbicide.

Cape Ivy

Delairea odorata. Origin South Africa. Cape Ivy has the ability to smother native vegetation making it a very serious threat to many ecosystems. Locally is happy to infest roadsides, along rivers and creeks being very effective at competing for light due to their ability to cover the canopy of the plant they are growing over such as tree ferns either killing the plant or causing it to break and collapse. Did you know? • It is a vigorous climber which strangles or smothers indigenous vegetation and creates harbor for foxes and rabbits. . • Once established, the spread of Cape Ivy is usually vegetative and by seed. • Cape Ivy can root from any stem parts that touch the soil. • It especially likes moist areas. • Cape Ivy was introduced as a garden plant and may be available from commercial nurseries. • Likely to be toxic to both people and animals. Best methods for control Start with vines growing up trees to prevent flowering and further spread by seed. Cut climbing stems with secateurs and leave to die in shrubs or trees. Gently hand pull or dig up stem runners. Follow the long runners to their source, carefully removing these and forking out main roots. Large Established Plants. Treat as for small plants except carefully dig out roots or stems on the ground, or Immediately paint with a suitable herbicide any cut stump that is to be left in the soil. For large infestations spray foliage with herbicide, but avoid spraying any native vegetation that the plant is climbing vegetation that the plant is climbing through. If using herbicide, paint/spray when plant is actively growing.

Spanish Heath

Classification: Environmental weed. There is a large invasion of Erica species which originate in the Europe and Africa, many being potential weeds in Australia. Spanish Heath has become widespread in South Gippsland appearing along roadsides and infesting native vegetation. The Erica Baccans commonly sold in nurseries is also a potential weed for the southern regions being very similar to Spanish Heath. Driving round the local roads at this time of year Spanish heath is easy to spot with its white and pink very small tubular flowers. It is an erect shrub growing up to 2.5 metres. Key Points • Spanish heath produces numerous tiny seeds with a life span up to 4years and spreads by wind, vehicles and water and is highly flammable. • If the plants are burnt or broken they readily re grow from the lignotuber or butt. • Small plants can be hand pulled. Mature plants can be cut and painted with herbicide. • Other Erica species are invading native vegetation in southern Australia and species growing in gardens may become weeds in the future if allowed to escape. • Accurate weed identification is essential—weedy Erica species are sometimes confused with native heaths. Our local native Common Heath (Epacris impressa) is often mistaken for Spanish Heath • Apply control methods for Spanish heath to other weedy Erica species.

Saint John's Wort

Saint John’s wort was introduced from Europe as a garden plant and for medicinal purposes in the 19th century; unfortunately because of its aggressive weedy characteristics it readily invades pastures, bushland and grasslands. In South Gippsland it can be seen along railway reserves and some pastures. It has become highly invasive in the east of the state. It has clusters of bright yellow 5 petal flowers, the leaves are small and dotted with oil glands and gives a perforated appearance when held up to the light. Flowers early spring through summer, becoming reddish-brown in late autumn-winter because of mature fruits and old stems. Up to 30000 seeds can be produced from each plant annually and can last for 12 years in the soil. It is spread mainly by wind, machinery slashing and contaminated fodder. Saint John’s wort contains the alkaloid hypericin, which causes photosensitisation in any mammals that ingest it, resulting in blisters on weakly pigmented parts of the skin. Small plants can be removed by hand as long as all plant and rhizomes are removed. Larger infestations can be controlled with appropriate herbicide. In South Gippsland Saint John’s wort is classified noxious, regionally controlled which means it can not be sold or transported and landholders are expected to control and prevent its spread on their land.

Gorse

Classification noxious, regionally controlled. Gorse a weed of national significance was introduced to Australia during the early 1800s as a hedge and ornamental plant. In the Foster and Welshpool area where there is a fair bit of gorse around in the past has been planted and as the gold mine tailings have been moved to different areas seed has been spread infesting further a field. The annual cost of gorse management to agriculture and forest industries across Australia was estimated at 7 million in the year 2000. Living gorse is highly flammable, retains dead vegetation in its canopy, and contains flammable oils. Dense gorse patches increase the risk of wildfire and are a particular hazard near buildings, infrastructure and along fence lines. It invades and dominates bushland, pastures, forest plantations and spreads along roadways. Gorse produces yellow pea type flowers twice a year distributing its seed in the warmer months. A mature bush can have up to 40 thousand seeds in the soil around it per square metre. Seed is viable in the soil for up to 25 years. Gorse can be cut and painted with herbicide but can be difficult because of the sharp spines. Young seedlings are soft and can be pulled out. There are registered chemicals available but to assist the chemical uptake add a penetrant. Infestations normally have to be carefully monitored and retreated on an annual basis.

Water Lettuce

Water lettuce Pistia stratiottes This is a water plant to be on the alert for in South Gippsland. Local landholders often have there dams invaded by various water weeds causing major problems with water quality and choked pipes and troughs. This plant not common as yet in this district has the potential with our changing climate, warming of farm dams and lack of frosts is set to become a serious weed. It declared noxious in the states to the north and west but not yet in Victoria. It is a free floating perennial aquatic herb, which consists of a dense rosette of overlapping leaves on a short stem with long feathery roots, reproducing vegetatively and by seed. The seeds float and can spread through waterways, and the main colony will also spread by the development of daughter plants. Water lettuce is commonly sold in nurseries and through the aquarium trade. Once established it will spread quickly take over the entire surface of freshwater lakes and dams, rivers and canals. The dense plant mass will reduce light penetration, oxygen concentration and pH levels in the water, thus destroying the habitat of fish and is a good shelter for mosquitoes. Control is difficult mainly by manual of mechanical removal. Chemical control is possible but not desirable.

Inkweed

Ink-weed Phytolacca octandra This erect, herbaceous perennial from tropical America used to be a noxious weed in Victoria. It is still considered to be a troublesome weed. It infests bare soil areas and is spread by birds colonising large areas Ink-weed can grow up to 2 metres high and has brittle spreading branches. Red coloured stems which grow from a well developed tap root. It has smooth bright green leaves. Greenish white flowers occur close together on upright tapered spikes between August and November. The fruit are dark purple to black berries which exude a red-purple juice. This plant can turn up in gardens and bushland unnoticed and can dominate large areas inhibiting the growth of more desirable species. Ink-weed can be grubbed out being careful to get as much of the tap root as possible. It will also respond well to being sprayed with an appropriate herbicide. Brush Off can be effective.

Wild Teasel

Wild Teasel (Dispacus fullonum) This noxious weed is not that common in South Gippsland the only sighting I have seen is in the Dumbalk area mainly on roadsides. It has the potential to invade pastures. It is an erect biennial herb to 2m high, reproducing by seed. Its stems and leaves are covered in prickles not unlike thistle. Has a very attractive purple or lilac flower in a cylindrical form. Seedlings emerge after autumn rains, or at other times following soil disturbance if moisture is adequate, and develop in to large rosettes by spring. Flowering stems are not produced until the second or even later years, the size of the plant has to be big enough. In each head, flowers open first in a ring around the middle of the head and as subsequent flowers open the ring moves up and down the head. Plants die in autumn and the dead stems remain standing for many months or even years. The Australian woollen industry imported teasel heads from England for many years, in the 1930’s was paying 15 shillings per 100 heads. The heads with its hooked floral bracts were used in the textile industry for carding and teasing wool and to raise the nap on woollen fabrics. The heads were either bound together into brushes and used by hand or were set into frames on a machine. Wild teasel can be grubbed out taking care to remove the tap root. It can be controlled with a selective herbicide.

Pasture Invaders

There are a number of weeds that have recently been turning up in local pastures possibly coming in of the roadsides or imported hay. One of the obvious ones has been Paterson’s Curse which landholders have reported a number of sightings this year. 

Not so well known weeds turning up is Sticky Bartsia (Parentucellia viscose) and its cousin Red Bartsia (Parentucellia latifolia), native from the Mediterranean region, are erect annual herbs partly parasitic on the roots and surrounding vegetation resulting in degraded pasture. Leaves are oppositely arranged, stalkless with coarsely toothed margins. The Red Bartsia is slender and hairy with red-purple flowers with narrow lips. The Sticky Bartsia is sticky and hairy with yellow flowers and broad lips. These plants mainly spread by a very fine seed carried by wind and water. These are spring to summer flowering liking moist sites in pastures. These weeds can be fairly invasive if left unattended and can be controlled with a selective herbicide. Other seasonal imports are Bathurst Burr, Saint Johns Wort, and Thornapple.

Bridal Creeper

Stopping Bridal Creep! Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides)  This creeper is a declared noxious weed (Restricted) across the state competes above ground with a smothering impenetrable web of stems and below ground with a thick mat of tubers. In the 1870’s this was a common garden plant and was popular for wedding bouquets’ and hanging baskets, and has since spread widely from gardens into bushland threatening native species Bridal creeper spreads by birds who love the sweet red berries produced late spring and also re shoots from rhizomes beneath the soil at or before the onset of autumn. Growth ceases in November to December and plants turn yellow and die back down to the rhizome. The plant survives below ground until the following autumn.

An undetected infestation of this weed can have a devastating effect on natural bushland, gardens, and farmland and can be very difficult to eliminate due to the underground rhizomes and tubers.

Control methods can include carefully digging removing tubers although this is very difficult once well established, spraying with an appropriate herbicide and biological control. Two methods of biological control available is the leafhopper and rust fungus. The introduction of the rust fungus has proven to be very effective completely defoliating infested sites.

Currently there is approximately five sites in the South Gippsland region where bridal creeper has been detected. Undoubtedly there will be sites that are undetected. South Gippsland Landcare, Friends groups and other concerned agencies are currently attempting to detect all sites in the region and will be undertaking large scale rust release program in cooperation with our shire neighbours this coming season. Anyone who suspects they have seen bridal creeper can you please ring me with a location or if you would like further information or identification.

Tree Tobacco

Tree Tobacco (Solanum mauritianum). Recently a landholder asked me to identify a plant that when she came in contact it gave her a very nasty rash. On inspection it turned out to be the South American plant Tree Tobacco, a large shrub or small tree growing to 4m. Densely clothed with fine velvety hairs on branches, flower parts, stalks and under surface of leaves. It has very large leaves and small purple flowers All parts of the plant are poisoness but particularly the leaves and unripe green berries and has a smell like tar. This plant is highly poisonous to humans, cattle and pigs, and can possibly cause death if ingested.

Tree tobacco spreads by seed be carried by birds, water, possums and dumped garden waste. Has a high dumpage rate as the plant becomes shabby and loses its appeal. Easiest way to control is by cut and paint method but remember to avoid direct contact with all plant material.

Arum Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)

Sometimes referred to as the funeral flower this plant can choke out waterways and wetlands. This perennial herb grows to 1.5 m tall and is evergreen. It is considered highly poisonous to all animals. In humans it is said to cause eczema. Australian hospital records indicate that these plants are a common and significant cause of child poisoning. It is mainly spread by rhizome and seed carried by birds, water, contaminated soil and dumped garden waste. Widely available in nurseries, garden centres and markets. Once established this is a very difficult plant to remove, there is a gel type herbicide available using the cut and paint method.

Boneseed

Boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera) This is another South African plant which is recognised as a Weed of national Significance in Australia. More common in East Gippsland it has been appearing on our local roadsides in South Gippsland in particular it has been observed along the Dumbalk Leongatha Rd. As we not have a lot of boneseed in this area we still have a chance to eliminate it if it is recognized. It is a very invasive weed that readily establishes on roadsides and bushland. Its success is due to its vigorous growth, aided by an absence of natural enemies and the ability to regenerate quickly and out compete other species after fire. The spread of boneseed threatens a number of significant rare or threatened species, such as the brittle greenhood orchid (Pterostylis truncata) in Victoria.

It is a woody shrub grows up to 3m tall reproduces by seed and is spread by slashing, garden waste disposal and birds.. Its flowers are bright yellow usually with 5 to 8 petals, its leaves are green, alternate on stems oval shaped and tapering at the base 2-8cm long with irregular serrations. To control cut and paint method can be used, for larger infestations there are registered herbicides available. Anyone who sites this weed can give me a ring for identification and assistance.

Weed Quote: Weeds don’t need to be cultivated they simply grow for the love of life.

Broom species

Weed Talk: By Martin Chatfield Landcare Community Weed Officer Give Broom the clean sweep Cape Broom (Genista monspessulana) English Broom (Cytisus scoparius) Flax-Leaf Broom (Genista linifolia) These Broom species are all classified noxious weeds. All the above species are similar in nature by having yellow pea like flowers, appearing around August September. By Christmas they form numerous hard seeds in pods and on a hot day pop the seeds out in their thousands. The seeds can last up to eighty years in the ground. They are mainly spread through slashing, water, and vehicle tyres. Broom can also be poisonous to stock. Brooms are native to scrub and open woodlands in the Mediterranean region, Europe, Portugal and the Azores. It was probably introduced to Australia as a garden or hedge plant and was widely planted last century. In Victoria, broom infestations occur mainly on grazing lands, roadsides, dry sclerophyll and damp forests and woodlands of southern, central and north-eastern regions. Once in infestation has taken hold it can potentially take up to twenty years to eliminate, so early detection is important. Small plants can be hand removed if the soil is soft enough, larger plants could be slashed before flowering and spray any re growth or foliar spray the whole plant with the registered chemical. Cut and paint with herbicide is also an option.

Pampas Grass

Weed Talk: By Martin Chatfield Landcare Community Weed Officer Pampas Grass( Cortaderia selloana) Pampas grass is a widespread environmental weed common in South Gippsland having been planted as an ornamental, for fodder, windbreaks and to stabilise soil. It is highly invasive , particularly in forest areas, roadsides and wetlands. It is a very aggressive coloniser, particularly on disturbed open sites. They form dense stands that exclude most other ground flora and impede overstorey recruitment. Individual flowers heads contain up to 100,000 seeds with viability exceeding 75%. Wind may disperse seed for several kilometres. Roots grow up to a depth of 3m with a spread of 4m helping established plants to tolerate extended dry spells. The large volume of dried leaf matter on and around tussocks dramatically increases fuel loads within infested areas increasing fire risk. Interestingly until the 1970s Pampas grasses in Australia consisted of low fertility strains or female plants and did not tend to have the weedy characteristics they have today, the reason they are these days during the 1970-80s large volume of seeds were imported that included higher fertility strains and male and bi-sexual plants, with the consequence that plants are know freely reproducing and spreading by seed. To control smaller plants can be dug out, all rhizome material should be removed. Where plants can not be treated immediately spread can be limited by removing emerging flower stems, cutting them at the base usually prevents them from redeveloping. Alternatively cut off maturing seed heads and placing in bags then bury or burn off site. Plants can also be sprayed with Glysophate.

Environmental Vandals

Weed Talk: By Martin Chatfield Landcare Community Weed Officer Environmental Vandal Bluebell Creeper (Sollya heterophylla) This is another one of those West Australian native invaders over enthusiastically populating our bushland and gardens. It is an evergreen woody based twining climber with attractive blue flowers. In Victoria it is classified as an environmental weed. Plants smothers ground-flora and small shrubs, overtops low growing vegetation. It is hardy and adaptable, tolerating moderate frosts, partial shade or full sun and extended seasonal dry periods. While preferring lighter soils, plants will establish in heavier soils provided drainage is good. Birds are the main cause of spread by dispersing the fruit from near by gardens. In Victorian coastal woodlands thousand of seedlings emerge following fires or soil disturbance. This has become a popular widely used ornamental plant over the last 30 years available in nurseries, and is in danger of becoming more wide spread due to its disguise as a local native plant. To remove Bluebell Creeper it can be hand pulled to prevent regrowth ensure all roots are removed. Plants can be cut and painted with glysophate in spring or early summer letting the above canopy to die back. Where plants can not be treated immediately, seedlings can be prevented by severing vines at the base in spring and early summer before the fruit develops, as regrowth occurs undertake follow up control. Early detection is desirable and control to prevent further spread. Be aware of what you by at nurseries and markets it could be your next garden nightmare.

Cape Ivy

Weed Talk: By Martin Chatfield Landcare Community Weed Officer Cape Ivy. Delairea odorata. Origin South Africa. Cape Ivy is not called odorata for nothing; it is currently in flower and is quite fragrant. Did you know? • Cape Ivy is an invasive plant and a very serious threat to indigenous vegetation. • It is a vigorous climber which strangles or smothers indigenous vegetation and creates harbor for foxes and rabbits. . • Once established, the spread of Cape Ivy is usually vegetative and by seed. • Cape Ivy can root from any stem parts that touch the soil. • It especially likes moist areas. • Cape Ivy was introduced as a garden plant and may be available from commercial nurseries. • Likely to be toxic to both people and animals. Best methods for control Start with vines growing up trees to prevent flowering and further spread by seed. Cut climbing stems with secateurs and leave to die in shrubs or trees. Gently hand pull or dig up stem runners. Follow the long runners to their source, carefully removing these and forking out main roots. Large Established Plants. Treat as for small plants except carefully dig out roots or stems on the ground, or Immediately paint with a suitable herbicide any cut stump that is to be left in the soil. For large infestations spray foliage with herbicide, but avoid spraying any native vegetation that the plant is climbing vegetation that the plant is climbing through. If using herbicide, paint/spray when plant is actively growing. For further information on Cape Ivy control or any other weeds ring, .

Ox-Eye Daisy

Weed Talk: By Martin Chatfield Landcare Community Weed Officer Ox-eye Daisy. An erect perennial herb to 1 m high with distinctive white daisy flowers with a yellow centre. It spreads by seed and extensive creeping roots producing new aerial growth annually, germinates in autumn, young plants develop slowly through winter and spring and do not flower the first year. During this time the extensive root system is developed. The flowers are formed in late spring and early summer after which the aerial growth dies back. Ox-eye daisy grows so densely that it excludes almost all other vegetation. It is not readily grazed by stock so carrying capacity of infested areas is reduced, and the weeds chance of survival is enhanced. If eaten by stock it imparts a disagreeable taste to milk. This plant was introduced in to Australia probably as a garden plant around 1850, more suited to English meadows. It is a noxious weed in South Gippsland, growing well in poor or heavy damp soils. If you would like to see this plant in all its glory, have a look at the top of Foster hill around Ogrady’s Ridge rd and see lots of white daisy type flowers in bloom. Seed is small and is spread by mud, water, agricultural produce, animals and vehicles especially graders and slashing. Management can be by cultivation and maintaining good pasture or by using selective herbicides in the early flowering stage. Early detection is desirable and control to prevent further spread. For more detailed information on weeds and their control go to .

Gorse

Weed Talk: By Martin Chatfield Landcare Community Weed Officer Gorse-Furze (Ulex europaeus) Classification noxious, regionally controlled. Gorse was introduced to Australia during the early 1800s as a hedge and ornamental plant. In Foster area where there is a fait bit of gorse around, it had been planted as hedges and as the gold mine tailings have been moved to different areas seed has been spread infesting further a field. The annual cost of gorse management to agriculture and forest industries across Australia was estimated at 7 million in the year 2000. Living gorse is highly flammable, retains dead vegetation in its canopy, and contains flammable oils. Dense gorse patches increase the risk of wildfire and are a particular hazard near buildings, infrastructure and along fence lines. It invades and dominates bushland, pastures, forest plantations and spreads along roadways. Gorse produces yellow pea type flowers twice a year distributing its seed in the warmer months. A mature bush can have up to 40 thousand seeds in the soil around it per square metre. Seed is viable in the soil for up to 25 years. Gorse can be cut and painted with herbicide but can be difficult because of the sharp spines. Young seedlings are soft and can be pulled out. There are registered chemicals available but to assist the chemical uptake add a penetrant. Landcare, Department of Primary Industries, and Parks Victoria have had and continue active programs locally to keep this pest in check. .

Poisonous Plants

Weed Talk: By Martin Chatfield Landcare Community Weed Officer. WOSPA (weeds of significant poisonous attributes) Hemlock (conium maculatum) Classification: noxious, regionally controlled. Hemlock contains five toxic alkaloids which vary in concentration due to climatic conditions. The fruit, vegetative parts and roots are all poisonous to humans and stock. The Greek philosopher Socrates is said to have been executed with hemlock. In Victoria a child died from hemlock poisoning in 1994. Handling the plant can cause dermatitis in some people. This weed is often mistaken for carrot weed emerging in autumn with its leaves deeply divided with a ferny appearance; masses of small white flowers develop in late spring -early summer and then it dies back. Hemlock will colonise areas of bare ground in pastures and bushland and prevent the growth of more desirable species. Small infestations can be hand pulled but heavy rubber gloves should be worn. Larger areas can be foliar sprayed with the specified registered chemical. Caper Spurge (Euphorbia lathyris) Classification: environmental weed. This nasty plant has a milky-like sap is heavy in alkaloids and can cause irritation and swelling to the human body, particularly sensitive areas such as the eyes. It has also been associated with stock poisoning. The juvenile plant has a stout erect stem with leaves opposite with a bluish-green colour. A white line runs the lengths of the leaf. When the plant matures it takes on a bush form. I have often seen this plant being sold at markets. Grubbing or pulling out plant is effective once again wear rubber type gloves and avoid skin contact with the white sap. . . .

Australian Native Weeds

Weed Talk: By Martin Chatfield Landcare Community Weed Officer. Australian Native Weeds. Sweet pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum) is one of an increasing number of native species acting as an environmental weed in habitats outside its natural ecological range. Prior to European settlement the distribution of Sweet Pittosporum was believed to encompass a range of habitats including wet and dry forests environments, riparian and coastal areas along the eastern seaboard of south-east Australia The seeds are mostly spread by birds, brush tail possums foxes and black rats. You will often see bird poo haloes around the base of other trees and as Sweet pittosporum is happy to grow in the shade they can then dominate the area causing other native species to die back (allelopathic effect) and becoming a mono culture. Control measures for this plant need to be implemented otherwise a serious decline in indigenous species will result on invaded areas. Some methods are manually pull out small seedlings, cut and paint, drill and fill, or basal bark spraying with appropriate herbicides. Cape wattle (Paraserianthes lophantha) is a West Australian native which spreads along roadways and bushland. This is a rapid growing evergreen tree producing thousands of long lived seeds with buried seeds viable for many years. It is often mistaken for local native silver and black wattles. Cut and paint method is the easiest way to control this pest. . . . Anyone who would like further information or would like me to visit your property to talk weeds and their control can ring me on 56 821934 or mobile 0428317928.

Roadside Weeds

To date weeds on South Gippsland Shire roadsides are still the responsibility of the adjacent landholder. This does not include Vic Roads.

Inaction on thistles costs money

Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare. A large spear thistle rosette covers about one-third of a square metre, and because it is not readily grazed by stock, the carrying capacity of paddocks with dense patches of thistle is reduced considerably. In a survey carried out in a New Zealand study where for every additional thistle per square metre in pasture there was a decrease of 1.68 kg in the live weight gain of sheep. In addition to direct competition, the spiny nature of the thistle also deters animals from grazing pasture in the vicinity and patches may become so dense that that are impenetrable to stock. Another disadvantage is that contaminated hay is downgraded in quality and price. Sheep grazing encourages spear thistle by reducing competition from neighbouring plants. This is reflected in increased thistle growth, flowering and seed production on heavily grazed pastures. In contrast, thistles are usually sparse on ungrazed sites. This weed readily establishes in high fertile soils which is bare of vegetation at the end of summer. Local landholders recently have expressed great concern about the amount of thistles on some neighbouring properties, landholders are reminded that it is an offence under the CALP act not to control and eliminate this weed. Isolated patches can be grubbed out but most of the root system should be removed. Target the rosette stage with a selective herbicide; ensure there is competition from other plants that can replace the weed. Follow up your work and be persistent in implementing a long term management plan.

Controlling Ragwort

Driving around South Gippsland one can see many ragwort infestations large and small along roadsides and properties. It is most important that these plants are prevented from seeding setting another 10 years worth of infestation in to the district.

Blackberry and ragwort are the responsibility of adjacent landholders on all shire roadsides and on private land owners are expected to prevent the growth and spread to neighbours. The complaints about neighbours has started to escalate over the last few weeks. Once ragwort has flowered you do not have long left before it goes to seed. It can be foliar sprayed with herbicide at the flowering stage but once the flower heads start to brown it is better to cut of the heads put in a black plastic bag and leave in the sun to solarise and then spray the rest of the plant. If slashed or pulled ragwort will still seed and grow from root fragments. It is possible to use aerial application on steep hard to get to areas. Experience has demonstrated that tackling the ragwort problem occasionally or intermittently will not achieve long term control. Ragwort’s capacity to reinfest requires control programs to be well planned and sustained over a number of years. Landholders undertaking a high level of on-going control can expect excellent results.

In recent years considerable work has been put into the formation of Ragwort Control Groups and Landcare Groups enabling landholders to work together to help each other clean up their respective properties. It is up to the whole community to work together to keep this noxious weed under control, not to do so will result in loss of productive land and increased disputes between landholders.

Tree Weeds

Over the last 150 years or so many exotic trees have been imported into Australia only to discover many have weed type characteristics spreading out of there original placement out into the landscape by fruit and seeds eaten by birds, foxes, also spread by wind and water. Examples are hawthorn, wild cherry, willow species, box elder, desert ash, cape wattle, pine and tree tobacco. Problems occurring:`

• They take up lots of physical space
• They can create impregnable barriers of thickets
• They have a large area of soil occupied by roots
• They sometimes send up suckers a long way from the parent plant even have the original tree has been removed. A good example here would be Elm trees
• They alter the microclimate
• They may alter the soil chemistry
• Willows clog up waterways

Weedy trees favour the growth of other weeds beneath their canopies. They provide additional perching and roosting places for birds from which weed seeds are deposited in droppings. ‘Bird poo haloes’ containing numerous bird dispersed weeds such as boxthorn, bridal creeper sweet pittosporum and blackberry.
Weed trees can be removed by cutting down as close to the base as possible and pasting glysophate herbicide on the cut stump surface. This must be done with 10 to 30 seconds of the cut being made otherwise the stump will seal it self and chemical will not penetrate. The tree should not be under stress; normally spring to early summer gives best results.