Post by Hoppy on Jun 20, 2006 16:16:07 GMT -1
Tackling giant hogweed as a major hazard
If you feel you are fighting a losing battle against invasive plants in the Tamar Valley, an Environment Agency awareness day to discuss the best ways of tackling the troublesome species could be the answer.
On Tuesday June 27th, an open day will be held at Morwellham Quay, near Tavistock, to discuss the ecology of Giant Hogweed, Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam, how they can be controlled and the legal issues surrounding these invasive species.
Organised by the Tamar Valley Invasive Group, the day aims to provide an understanding of why control work needs to be done and what people can do to help alleviate the problem.
The Tamar Valley Invasive Group, a partnership between the Environment Agency, English Nature, Tamar Valley AONB Service and The Silvanus Trust, has been undertaking surveying and control of Giant Hogweed along the Tamar and Tavy.
Giant Hogweed is an aggressive competitor, which is able to out-compete native plant species, reducing the amount of suitable habitat available for insects, birds and mammals. It is characterised by its size and may grow to between three and five metres in height and has a reddish purple hollow stem and spotted leaf stalks, with deeply toothed leaves.
“Giant Hogweed produces approximately 1500 seeds per flower head in late summer. These seeds can remain inactive in the soil for several years. The movement of soil polluted with Giant Hogweed seeds must be carefully controlled to prevent the spread of the plant,” said Coralie Barrow, from the Environment Agency.
“When Giant Hogweed dies back during the winter months, it leaves bare ground. This can lead to an increase in soil erosion on riverbanks and steep slopes.”
Due to the density of stands of Giant Hogweed and the safety implications, footpaths and other amenity areas can be rendered unusable by the presence of this species.
This free open day starts at 10:00am and will finish by approximately 4pm. Tea and coffee will be provided throughout the day but please bring a packed lunch.
During the afternoon there will be a site visit around Morwellham to look at some of the sites that have been managed.
“We would very much like to see as many local landowners as possible to discuss how we may best take this work forward over the next few years,” added Coralie Barrow.
If you feel you are fighting a losing battle against invasive plants in the Tamar Valley, an Environment Agency awareness day to discuss the best ways of tackling the troublesome species could be the answer.
On Tuesday June 27th, an open day will be held at Morwellham Quay, near Tavistock, to discuss the ecology of Giant Hogweed, Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam, how they can be controlled and the legal issues surrounding these invasive species.
Organised by the Tamar Valley Invasive Group, the day aims to provide an understanding of why control work needs to be done and what people can do to help alleviate the problem.
The Tamar Valley Invasive Group, a partnership between the Environment Agency, English Nature, Tamar Valley AONB Service and The Silvanus Trust, has been undertaking surveying and control of Giant Hogweed along the Tamar and Tavy.
Giant Hogweed is an aggressive competitor, which is able to out-compete native plant species, reducing the amount of suitable habitat available for insects, birds and mammals. It is characterised by its size and may grow to between three and five metres in height and has a reddish purple hollow stem and spotted leaf stalks, with deeply toothed leaves.
“Giant Hogweed produces approximately 1500 seeds per flower head in late summer. These seeds can remain inactive in the soil for several years. The movement of soil polluted with Giant Hogweed seeds must be carefully controlled to prevent the spread of the plant,” said Coralie Barrow, from the Environment Agency.
“When Giant Hogweed dies back during the winter months, it leaves bare ground. This can lead to an increase in soil erosion on riverbanks and steep slopes.”
Due to the density of stands of Giant Hogweed and the safety implications, footpaths and other amenity areas can be rendered unusable by the presence of this species.
This free open day starts at 10:00am and will finish by approximately 4pm. Tea and coffee will be provided throughout the day but please bring a packed lunch.
During the afternoon there will be a site visit around Morwellham to look at some of the sites that have been managed.
“We would very much like to see as many local landowners as possible to discuss how we may best take this work forward over the next few years,” added Coralie Barrow.