Broad-leaf privet fact sheet - Department of Primary Industries

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Biosecurity Queensland
Broad-leaf privet
Ligustrum lucidum
Fact sheet
DECLARED CLASS 3 PEST PLANT
PP69 September 2013
Broad-leaf privet is a naturalised weed in South East
Queensland; a potential invader of riparian vegetation
and disturbed sites. In some coastal areas it displaces
rainforest species. Privet is densely branched and can
form thickets; destroying native animal habitat and
disrupting their access through natural corridors. It is
also recognised as a weed in South Africa and is known
to cause significant irritations to sufferers of hay fever.
Declaration details
Broad-leaf privet is a Class 3 declared pest plant under the
Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act
2002. Landholders are not required to control a
Class 3 declared pest plant on their land unless a pest
control notice is issued by a local government because
the pest is causing or has potential to cause an negative
impact on an adjacent environmentally significant area.
It is an offence to supply a Class 3 pest. A permit
for specific purposes may be issued by Biosecurity
Queensland.
Great state. Great opportunity.

Description
Privet can grow up to 10 m tall, with closely packed
branches. The broad, dark green, leathery leaves grow
in opposite pairs and are up to 12 cm long with a pointed
tip. Fruits occur as dense bunches of black berries,
which are eaten (and dispersed) by birds. Originally
from Japan and China, tree privet is regularly seen in
ornamental gardens throughout South East Queensland.
Control
Physical
Privet seedlings may be controlled by mowing or handpulling.
If removing by hand, take care not to break the
taproot or regrowth is likely to occur.
Herbicide
Before using any herbicide always read the label
carefully. All herbicides must be applied strictly in
accordance with the directions on the label and the
conditions in the APVMA permit.
Further information
Further information is available from your local
government office, or by contacting Biosecurity
Queensland (call 13 25 23 or visit our website at
www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au).
Table 1 Herbicides registered for the control of broad-leaf privet
Situation Herbicide Rate Comments
Agricultural non-crop areas,
commercial and industrial
areas, fence lines, forestry,
pastures and rights of way
Native vegetation,
conservation areas, gullies,
reserves and parks
triclopyr (240 g/L) +
picloram (120 g/L)
triclopyr (600 g/L)
picloram (43 g/kg)
2 L product in
60 L diesel
1 L product in
12 L diesel
Apply a layer
of product
3−5 mm thick
over cut surface
Unwanted trees glyphosate (360 g/L) Use undiluted,
apply 1−2 mL
per 2 cm cut
Native pastures, commercial
and industrial areas, rights
of way
metsulfuron-methyl
(600 g/kg)
1 L product to
1 L water, 1:1
in water
10 g per 100 L
water plus
wetting agent
Cut stump – plants with a basal diameter up
to and in excess of 5 cm. Apply immediately
after the cut is made.
Basal bark spray – plants with a basal
diameter up to 5 cm.
Cut stump – plants with a basal diameter up
to and in excess of 10 cm. Treat at any time
of year.
Basal bark spray – only for plants with stem
diameter less than 10 cm. Treat at any time
of year.
Cut stems no higher than 10 cm above
ground level. Stems greater than 20 mm in
diameter, apply 5 mm thick. In multi-stem
plants treat at least 80% of stems including
all main stems.
Stem injection – up to 25 cm basal 1 mL per
cut, 25–60 cm basal 1 mL per cut.
Cut stump – 0–30 cm diameter cut close to
ground and immediately wet stump surface.
Foliar spray – apply to bushes up to 3 m
high. Complete spray coverage is essential.
DO NOT spray when plants are stressed.
Read the label carefully before use and always use the herbicide in accordance with the directions on the label.
This fact sheet is developed with funding support from the Land Protection Fund.
Fact sheets are available from Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) service centres and our Customer Service Centre (telephone 13 25 23). Check
our website at www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au to ensure you have the latest version of this fact sheet. The control methods referred to in this fact sheet should be used in
accordance with the restrictions (federal and state legislation, and local government laws) directly or indirectly related to each control method. These restrictions may
prevent the use of one or more of the methods referred to, depending on individual circumstances. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this information,
DAFF does not invite reliance upon it, nor accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused by actions based on it.
© The State of Queensland, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 2013.