Except for Alberta and PEI, the invasive species multiflora rose is a threat across Canada according to the Ontario Invasive Plant Council. As winter sets in, the sight of multiflora rose, honey locust, autumn olive, and ailanthus dominating your pastures can be a constant reminder of the ongoing battle against unwanted woody weeds. These invasive plants not only compete for nutrients but can also lead to flat tires and lame animals due to thorns.
Multiflora rose is a climbing and rambling shrub with single stem, or at times multiple stems, which can grow up to 10 to 15 feet or more in some situations. The branchlets or canes have paired (at times), stout, curved thorns or prickles.
What can be done about these plants? Number one is to understand the plant and the best control, amount of control and timing of control that best fits your unique circumstance. Here are some of the options:
Biological Control Methods
Biological controls use plant diseases or insect predators, typically from the targeted species' home range.
Mechanical Control Methods
We spoke with one farmer who pulls buckthorn out with work horses. But if are not so blessed… Pulling and digging the offensive plant out with shovels, tractors and heavy-duty PPE is one method of elimination. This requires commitment to get every viable root and stem.
Suffocation and cutting and mowing. These methods of control can be viable for some invasive species but could be challenging with multiflora rose due to aggressive sprouting.
Cutting or Mowing is self-explanatory and works for invasives but not others.
Chemical Control Methods
Herbicides could be required for some and not an option for others. If you are considering a chemical control, seek advice from an expert.
Cultural Controls
Monitor or visually inspect your property for multiflora rose periodically. Field and woodland inspections during the winter can un-cover problems not seen during the growing season. Prevention is the best control. Do not plant or encourage the planting of this species. Educating others (e.g. customers or neighbors) about the dangers of this pest is another cultural control of enormous value.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
IPM is a system that seeks to lessen use of inputs through soil analysis, scouting for pests (including invasive plant species) and monitoring growing conditions. Those involved in IPM may use a combination of controls to affectively manage invasive species.
The winter is a great time to develop an invasive plant species prevention and control plan on your farm or property.
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