header-photo

Invasive Plant Removal Project: Getting to the root of weeds

Here in the Illinois Valley, our main problem is scotch broom, yellow star thistle, and meadow and spotted knapweed.

The Forestry Action Committee utilizes both a paid weed crew and volunteer work, and embeds community involvement and education in all our efforts. This year FAC has received a grant from the National Forest Foundation to continue this program.

The Project develops effective non-chemical methods of weed control as the approach that avoids controversy and pulls the community together. We are always looking for ways to use the weeds we pull, to create yet more jobs for the Illinois Valley.

FAC is an active member of the Josephine County Weed Management Area group. If you would like to participate in our volunteer "Pulling Together Program", would like to borrow some "Weed Wrenches" to pull Scotch Broom or just want more information on noxious weeds, please contact the Forestry Action Committee.

Yellow Star Thistle

The Forestry Action Committee weed crew has had much success in hand digging star thistle. The weed crew has been hand digging annually at the Illinois Valley High School and the star thistle has been reduced significantly. At one time the circle in front of the high school was infested with star thistle and now it is hard to even find one. Click here for more info

Scotch Broom

The time of year to pull Scotch Broom is while the ground is soft and giving. For mature plants a weed wrench is necessary. Scotch broom is aggressive and invasive, its seeds spread quickly along roadsides. Scotch broom is very flammable. The FAC weed crew has begun management of scotch broom on Lone Mountain Rd, Dunn Creek and Laurel Cemetery. These are a few of the many sites. Click here for more info

Meadow Knapweed

Knapweed is a highly competitive plant, displacing native plant communities and reducing forage for wildlife and livestock. They easily invade disturbed lands. Knapweed is easily spread along roadsides by heavy equipment and construction. The FAC weed crew, along with committed volunteers and landowners has been arresting these weeds by digging as much of the deep tap root as possible. It is imperative that all or most of the roots be removed,otherwise the plant will re-sprout. Click here for more info

Spotted Knapweed

These plants exhibit low palatability and competitive superiority. Some researchers claim spotted knapweed has the ability to inhabit the growth of surrounding vegetation by exuding toxins through its roots and leaves. If the area is highly infested with knapweed you may want to weed eat the area as close to the ground as possible and top the area with six mil black plastic.

You can utilize long nails and washers or rocks to anchor the plastic in place for at least one summer season. For seed prevention it is best to snip off any flower heads into a paper or plastic bag and incinerate prior to any planned work with these weeds. The weed crew has been using these non chemical methods at USFS Onion Camp, Dunn Creek. Click here for more info