1. Invasive plant management Mark Renz Extension Weed Scientist UW-Madison mjrenz@wisc.edu

2. Pest Management Steps Pest identification = WHAT IS IT? Population size = HOW MUCH? Select appropriate control tactic = WHAT CAN I DO? Monitor and adapt management over time = WHAT CAN I DO BETTER?

3. What is the goal of management? Compliance with NR40 Eradication of populations Improve cover of desirable species Improve ecosystem services land Prevention of invasion

4. Understand the biology of weeds! How do they reproduce and spread? Annuals Biennials Creeping Perennials Simple Perennials

5. Field bindweedresults 1 month after treatment Mowing Sprayed with glyphosate

6. Annual plant lifecycle

7. Biennial lifecycle

8. Perennial lifecycle

9. Perennial weeds Many types, important to know if Creeping Ex Russian olive, Canada thistle Simple (root crown) Ex Multiflora rose, dandelions

10. Tools Manipulation of the environment (e.g. Plant competition) Physical management (e.g. mowing) Herbicide Prevention Burning Biological control Grazing TECHNIQUES ARE SPECIES SPECIFIC

11. Manipulation of the environment Competition/prevention in establishment Desirable plants compete with weeds. Established plants better competitors

12. Manipulation of the environmentan example Increasing grass cover in fall can reduce germination of weeds Mowed to 8” in October = 75% light interception in spring = few to no weeds germinating

13. Limit disturbance Most weed species need disturbance to establish Prescribed burn Promotes some competitive species If timed correctly can kill young plants/seedlings Manipulation of the environmentOther things you can do

14. Mowing Can effectively reduce production of seeds Specific to weed species Annuals and Biennial: reduce population sizes if timed correctly and conducted for multiple years Perennials: typically need additional management to reduce populations

15. Applications of herbicides Broadcast applications Pre-emergent (PRE) Post-emergent (POST) Directed methods Spot treatment Basal bark applications Cut stump Ropewick Timing specific

16. Herbicide typesSelectivity Nonselective (Example glyphosate/Roundup) Will injure any plant it contacts Selective (2,4-D) Won’t harm grasses Won’t harm broadleaved species Random selectivity

18. Example: Roundup (glyphosate)

19. Short residual (days to weeks)

20. Example: 2,4-D, Banvel, Garlon, Weedmaster

21. Long lasting=soil sterilant (months – years)

23. Prevention Washing equipment to remove soil and plant parts from infested areas Use of weed free inputs: hay and straw free gravel, fill, top soil compost Keep adjacent areas weed free

24. Cleaning procedures Remove plant parts, seeds, and dirt that may contain plant parts from anything transported off infested site Many types of equipment available: Pressure washers Pressurized air Brush

25. Biological control of weeds Definition: the use of natural enemies to reduce the damage caused by a pest population GOAL: Reduce the populations (not eliminate) Introduced agents: Not native to area (REGULATED) Natural agents: native to area (NOT REGULATED)

26. Grazing Can suppress growth of weeds if timed correctly Same timing and effectiveness as mowing except for palatability Palatability is dependant on stage of growth, animal BUT ANIMALS CAN BE TRAINED Promotes grasses to be more competitive

27. Control information for WI http://fyi.uwex.edu/weedsci/category/invasive-plants-of-wisconsin/ FACTSHEETS AVAILABLE Wild parsnip Japanese knotweed Japanese honeysuckle Bush honeysuckle Dame’s rocket Creeping bellflower Buckthorn Garlic mustard Spotted knapweed Black Swallow-wort Teasels Hedge-parsley Canada thistle Perennial pepperweed Poison hemlock Hill mustard OTHER MANAGEMENT INFO Brush management in WI Thistles in pastures and beyond Herbicide effectiveness table

28. Management Plan Examples

29. Steps to consider Goal for Target Area. Inventory your target area. What is there? What isn’t there? Decide on realistic goals based on inventory and understanding of vegetation and site characteristics. Set a timeline. Carry out plan. Reassess plan regularly.

30. Prioritization Think long-term! Use goals/objective to drive management plan DON’T BEGIN AT THE CENTER

32. Yellow is garlic mustard presence

33. Goal is to reduce invasive plant cover and prevent spreadROAD

34. Garlic mustard biology Biennial Seedlings become rosettes Rosettes flower in year 2, then die Plants spread by seed only Equipment Shoes Animals Water

36. Garlic mustard control information Nonchemical: Hand-pulling before flowering is effective

37. Garlic mustard control information Chemical: Foliar spot spraying in late fall or early spring is best

38. An example plan for GM Small patches in Northeast Focus on flowering plants Most seedlings die; many rosettes die Monitor and hand-pull for 3 years in spring-summer before plants produce flowers Monitor un-infested areas for new populations Annually manage Hand pull 2nd year plants

39. An example plan for GM cont. Large patch along roadside Edge of roadside Make sure roadside is mowed before seed production (reduce spread) Perimeter of patch Treat perimeter and working your way into the patch as much as feasible. Spray in spring in years 1 and 3 after seedlings emerge In year 2 hand-pull escaped flowering plants in years don’t treat Update plan after 3 yrs Remap infestation Assess management options

40. Knowledge of the source of an infestation can be important

41. Green Bay site was surrounded by garlic mustardLocation floods every year bringing in seed from nearby infestations that results in a uniform carpet of garlic mustard seedlings regardless of treatment

43. Yellow is buckthorn presence

44. Goal is to reduce invasive plant cover and prevent spreadROAD

46. Prioritize Keep un-infested areas free of buckthorn Begin management on south side of road and systematically manage north Target isolated patches first Focus effort on female plants Ignore dense patch unless have resources to manage

47. Buckthorn control information Nonchemical: removal possible with small plants, larger plants need equipment

48. Buckthorn Chemical control information Foliar: Effective when plants have “leafed out” Basal Bark: Effective year-round on small plants (<6”) Cut-Stump: Effective year round on all sizes

49. An example plan for buckthorn Treat female isolated plants nearest the road moving north Small plants: use weed wrench to hand-pull Medium sized plants: Basal bark, cut stump, foliar Large plants: Foliar or cut stump After finish 1, treat isolated male plants as above. Monitor un-infested areas for new populations and manage if they are found Emphasize areas with lots of bird traffic Fenceposts, Hedgerows, powerlines

50. An example plan for buckthorncontinued Large dense patch in NW Fundraise $$$ so can manage effectively Mow to remove dense canopy and plant material (Winter) Burn plant material (winter-spring) Treat resprouting plants with herbicide Cut stump after mowing Let resprout and foliarly treat Revegetate/restore if desirable plants don’t return Periodically re-visit plan and adjust as needed.

51. Summary Invasive plant management is species specific. Develop a plan to manage invasive plants that fits with Land management objectives Biology of the species Expertise of the people working on the project Prioritize efforts to maximize effectiveness Consult an expert or factsheets about selecting an appropriate control option No one option will work under all situations, and often an integrated approach works the best.