Summary of the first 10 NOT WANTED columns in the Granby Drummer
Since October 2019, the NOT WANTED column has profiled some of the worst invasive plants plaguing Granby’s fields, farms, forests, and gardens, and has described ways to control them. This column reviews in brief the first 10 NOT WANTEDs. They are available also in the Granby Drummer archives.
Purple Loosestrife, Oct. 2019. Blooming in August/September in wet areas, once Loosestrife gets established it explodes, crowding out whole populations of native plants and creating monocultures. Loosestrife is known as a partial success story in invasive circles – Galerucella beetles can be released to devour Loosestrife and only Loosestrife.
Japanese Barberry, Nov. 2019. All kinds of Barberry are invasive, despite being commonly available for sale. A UConn project has developed a sterile and therefore non-invasive version. Barberry spreads Lyme disease by harboring concentrations of the white-footed mouse that hosts the virus that causes Lyme.
Asiatic Bittersweet, Dec. 2019. The Kudzu vine of the north produces striking yellow-red berries in the fall. Unfortunately, using them in holiday decorations helps spread this invasive strangler that destroys many magnificent native trees.
Multiflora Rose, Feb. 2020. Intentionally planted as a living field enclosure for animals, the MF Rose aggressively turns fields into impenetrable mazes that crowd out everything – except for equally vigorous invasives like Bittersweet and Barberry.
Garlic Mustard, March 2020. A biennial that’s simple for anyone to pull by the roots at the many stages of its life, Garlic Mustard rapidly takes over in open shady areas, producing thousands of seeds per plant. Some people collect and process the leaves to make a version of pesto.
Japanese Knotweed, April 2020. A fleshy, bamboo-like plant, Knotweed makes dense mounds with super-vigorous roots that spread by traveling far underground. Young shoots are reported to be edible, and a tincture can be used to treat advanced Lyme disease.
Autumn Olive, May 2020. With its cousin Russian Olive, this small tree with silvery green leaves and yellow-red berries takes over fields and open areas. It was planted intentionally until recently, often along interstate highways, but escapes with the help of birds that eat the berries.
Alternatives to Invasive Plants, June 2020. For each of the seven troublesome invasive plants above, the column lists two to four alternative native plants that are attractive and flourish in similar environments.
Strategies, July 2020. Focusing mostly on non-chemical ways of controlling invasive plants, the column describes strategies like pulling by the roots, cutting before plants flower and set seed, cutting repeatedly over time to deprive the plants’ roots of resources and, when all else fails, careful cutting-and-painting with an herbicide.
Mugwort, Sept. 2020. This relatively recent invasive crisis rapidly takes over sunny areas and roadsides. With towering seed-laden stalks, it creates monocultures by traveling via underground roots, blocking the light other plants need and making the soil toxic to other plants. It’s aromatic and has been used medicinally for centuries.
NOT WANTED is a project of the Granby Conservation Commission. Invasive Action Days to remove invasive plants and plant alternative native plants are held on the 2nd Saturday morning of each month. For more information about invasive plants and Action Days, drop a note at http://GranbyInvasivePlants.weebly.com
NOT WANTED: Granby's Conservation Commission's campaign to educate about and take action on invasive plants