Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

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Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan Chapter 4. Biological Resources although, removal of the entire plant, including the root system, is necessary to prevent regrowth. Larger infestations require clipping the plant’s stem at ground level once seedpods are present, but before the seeds mature and scatter to prevent seed production. In both instances, the clippings and plant materials should be carefully removed from the site, so seeds are not dispersed, starting a new infestation. Where heavy infestations exist and where risk to desirable species is minimal, chemical treatment using an herbicide can be affective. However, chemical treatment kills any plant it contacts, so care should be taken to avoid non-target species. One advantage of this method is it can be used anytime of the year. Burning can also be used to control large natural areas infested with garlic mustard. Burning opens the understory and can encourage germination of stored seeds and promote growth of emerging garlic mustard. In order to combat regrowth, burning must be conducted for three to five consecutive years, regardless of other control methods employed to ensure seed stores have been exhausted (Plant Conservation Alliance, 2009). Giant hogweed Native to Europe, giant hogweed was introduced into the U.S. in 1917 as an ornamental plant, possibly for its fruit, which is used as a spice in Iranian cooking. It has been identified as a federal noxious weed, making it illegal to bring to the U.S. or to move it across state lines. Populations of giant hogweed have established in McKean County. This biennial or perennial herb grows 15 to 20 feet in height, with stout, dark, reddish-purple stems and spotted leaf stalks. Its compound leaves can grow up to five feet in width. It flowers from mid June to mid July, and produces approximately 1,500 seeds per flower head. It can grow and thrive in a variety of habitats but prefers moist soil conditions and partly shaded areas. It is likely to occur in disturbed areas, such as wastelands, riverbanks, and railroad right-of-ways (USDA Forest Service, 2005b). Due to its size and rapid growth, giant hogweed is an aggressive competitor reducing wildlife habitat and increasing erosion on steep slopes and river banks. Contact with its sap can cause a skin reaction (photodermattis) in animals and people, which causes the skin to become sensitive to ultraviolet light— including sunlight—resulting in swelling and blistering. Contact with the eyes can cause temporary or permanent blindness. Prevention is the most efficient control available; however, manual, chemical, and biological control methods are available to reduce and eradicate populations of giant hogweed. When implementing control practices, protective clothing, including gloves and a face shield are needed to reduce the risk of obtaining photodermattis. Giant hogweed can manually be removed, making sure to get the entire plant and root structure. Herbicides can be applied early in the growing season, before the plant reaches two feet in height and before the plant flowers and sets seeds. Cattle and pigs can be used as biological control agents, since they are not affected by the sap and will eat hogweed. In addition, trampling damages the plant. Japanese knotweed Commonly found near waterways, in low-lying areas, waste places, utility rights-of-ways, and old home sites, Japanese knotweed was introduced in the U.S. during the late 1800s. It is an ornamental plant that was used for soil and erosion control because of its ability to spread quickly, forming dense thickets. However, the dense thickets of Japanese knotweed exclude native vegetation, altering the natural ecosystem. Japanese knotweed in flower 4-32
Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan Chapter 4. Biological Resources Japanese knotweed grows from seeds and is able to regenerate from vegetative pieces. It can grow to over 10 feet in height. The very small, shiny, triangular shaped seeds can be dispersed via wind, water, fill-dirt, and on the soles of shoes. It is a very durable plant, capable of surviving high temperatures, droughts, and flooding. In order to control populations of Japanese knotweed, a combination of mechanical and chemical treatment techniques must be employed. Single young plants may be pulled by hand if soil conditions and root development is right. However, to prevent resprouting, all roots and runners need to be removed from the site. Chemical treatment using glyphosate and tricolopyr herbicides can be applied to freshly cut stems or foliage (Swearingen, Reshefiloff, Slattery, & Zwicker, 2002). Japanese honeysuckle Japanese honeysuckle is a perennial vine that escaped cultivation and invaded natural areas. Introduced to the U.S. from eastern Asia during the 1800s, it was used to control erosion and as cover and food for wildlife. Populations of Japanese honeysuckle have been established in Potter County, while no populations have been reported in McKean County. It is capable of spreading rapidly due to its vigorous root competition and its ability to twine itself up trees and shrubs in order to dominate the light source. These activities destroy nearby vegetation and girdle trees and shrubs. Like evergreens, Japanese honeysuckle is able to continue growing while most native species are dormant, providing additional opportunities to overtake the native vegetation. Manual and chemical control methods can be utilized to reduce Japanese honeysuckle populations. Manual removal of small infestations can be effective when the whole plant, including the root, is removed. Sites undergoing manual treatment need frequent monitoring and removal of new outcrops. Creeping vines need to be cut and removed in order to protect trees and shrubs from being girdled. In order to remove larger patches of honeysuckle, hold the vine mass above the ground with a rake while cutting the stem as close to the ground as possible. Mowing is also applicable, but requires two treatments—mid July and mid September. Combining mowing with chemical treatment increases the effectiveness of treatment. Chemical treatment is most effective when desirable native species are dormant and Japanese honeysuckle continues growing. Apply the herbicide to healthy, green leaves during temperatures in which the honeysuckle continues to grow. This will control the honeysuckle population with reduced risk to native species. Mile-A-Minute Initially introduced to the U.S. in the late 1800s, mile-a-minute is native to eastern Asia and the Philippines. It is an herbaceous, annual, trailing vine that contains recurved barbs on the stems and leaf blades that can self pollinate. The leaves, light green in color, are shaped like triangles. Ocreae—cup shaped leaf structures that surround the stem and nodes—are where the flowers and fruits emerge. The deep blue fruits are located in terminal clusters, with each berry-like fruit containing a single glossy black or reddish-black seed known as an achene. Mile-a-minute is a prolific seeder, producing many seeds from a single plant. The seeds are durable, remaining viable in soil up to six years, with staggered germination and buoyancy in water for seven to nine days (Okay, Goldstein, & Swearingen, 2010). Mile-a-minute invades open fields, forest edges, roadsides, ditches, streambanks, and uncultivated fields. Its rapid growth allows it to cover existing vegetation and restricts light availability, potentially killing plants below. Dense mats of mile-a-minute can restrict the establishment of new vegetation. It is often found in extremely wet soils with poor soil structure and prefers sunlight, but can tolerate shade. Populations of mile-a-minute have established in Potter County. A variety of control methods, such as biological, chemical, and mechanical practices, can be implemented to reduce or eradicate mile-a- 4-33
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Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

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