tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post8896903192608324159..comments2023-05-08T21:42:05.380-04:00Comments on Blue Jay Barrens: Projects 2013 - Invasive Shrub ControlSteve Willsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-13533404633003129392014-02-11T22:29:44.200-05:002014-02-11T22:29:44.200-05:00Hi David. I've also done a lot of winter cutt...Hi David. I've also done a lot of winter cutting of multiflora rose and other invasive shrubs. It's nice to do this type of work in cold weather when you can put on some protective layers of clothes without suffering heat stroke. It soon became apparent to me that I would have to work year-round in order to get ahead, so I began testing warm season treatment options.Steve Willsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-63897851430087626962014-02-11T20:20:10.257-05:002014-02-11T20:20:10.257-05:00Grace,
Sometimes it does feel like a losing battl...Grace,<br /><br />Sometimes it does feel like a losing battle, but it is nice to read that it can be done and the results are so worth it--not only to us, but to the wildlife that is supported by the improved habitat. Don't let it get you down. :)<br /><br />I know that the multiflora rose was planted as food (and shelter) for wildlife...but by letting it go to seed, it will infest other areas (on your own property--where you seem to keep it from sprouting...but it will infest other properties near by, and then well beyond that in the years to come.<br /><br />I'm trying to deal with the next generation sprouting on our property. Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14531776890396557061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-12399921443526237682014-02-11T20:14:12.671-05:002014-02-11T20:14:12.671-05:00Great work, Steve...I'm glad you are finally g...Great work, Steve...I'm glad you are finally getting ahead of the invasives that have infiltrated the habitat that you manage. It is inspiring to see that it can be done on such a large scale. <br /><br />Luckily, I don't have to deal with autumn olive, but I did have more than my fair share of multiflora rose and the invasive bush honeysuckle (I'd been calling it Japanese honeysuckle, but it may be Tartarian--sp?-- I'm not sure). I'm hoping that this is the year I make great progress in my hedgerow that is, unfortunately, predominantly the honeysuckle. :(<br /><br />I like how you pointed out the size of the growth rings on your autumn olive stump--that really tells a story.<br /><br />I found that removing the multiflora rose in the winter was the easiest method for me. Not only could I see what I was doing without the leaves blocking my view, it seemed (at least for me) that the growth all went in one direction, which allowed me to come in from behind and just saw it off a the base--I still remember cutting the mother of them all! What a job that was. I guess it was a good thing that we bought the place late fall...I was so eager to do something, that I tackled a lot of the multiflora roses that winter--once I had the method down, I continued working such things in the winter months. Come spring, I took a pick to the roots, and pulled most of them up to add to the brushpile I'd made with their top growth. Luckily, my soil is loose enough (especially early spring after all the freezing and thawing) that it wasn't as much of a chore as it sounds. At least one of the stumps I smothered (or solarized?) with an old metal well cap I'd found nearby. <br /><br />Now I'm just dealing with the seedlings that still sprout in the yard--much easier to deal with. Good luck with totally beating out your infestations.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14531776890396557061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-51437845459511041362014-02-10T21:18:18.220-05:002014-02-10T21:18:18.220-05:00Hi Andrew. I'll keep the blog going as long a...Hi Andrew. I'll keep the blog going as long as my computer and internet service allow. I don't have much interest in computers, so when things don't work properly, I'm most likely to shut everything down and go outside.Steve Willsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-53699993417928020782014-02-09T22:27:50.410-05:002014-02-09T22:27:50.410-05:00good to see you back and posting, Steve! I've...good to see you back and posting, Steve! I've excitedly read your latest stuff and look forward to more. Good to have you back and hope you're here to stay for at least a while.Andrew Lane Gibsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01555125434346996812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-63863311668392305512014-02-09T21:48:41.523-05:002014-02-09T21:48:41.523-05:00Hi Grace. Many people have commented on the hours...Hi Grace. Many people have commented on the hours I spend killing plants. Of course, most of those people can't tell one plant from another and don't want to take the time to hear an explanation of how the removal of bad plants makes room for the growth of good plants. They don't even seem to get it when I compare my activities to weeding a vegetable garden.Steve Willsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629602865933201771.post-87688756422145542232014-02-09T18:02:33.660-05:002014-02-09T18:02:33.660-05:00HI Steve... "Wow your on a missions to kill &...HI Steve... "Wow your on a missions to kill "!!<br />Well now I hope you are right, sounds more like trying to keep the Squirrels from chewing up the feeder you just can't win : )!!<br />I have some of those growing here on the property, but they are pretty much confined to certain places, like the Multiflora rose that has covered a dead apple tree clear to the top !! It is mowed all the way around so no sprouts get growing !! I like to have the rose hips for the birds and the Red Squirrel for the winter!! They strip of ever bit!!<br />Autumn olive ...man that stuff is awful!! Lovely in bloom though!!<br /><br />Good luck with that : )<br /><br />Grace<br />grammie ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00839269423384232974noreply@blogger.com