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. .