20-year Forest Restoration Plan - City of Kirkland

Green Kirkland Partnershipby pushing a narrow trowel or long knife (hari-hari) deepinto the ground beside the plant, loosening the soil aroundthe resprout, and gently working the resprouts out of theground• If the number of blackberry plants removed is sufficientto leave a large gap in the vegetation, the area should bereplanted with native plants. Planting in the late fall immediatelyafter removal work may be desirableCutting and Dabbing:• Late summer to early fall (at least 3 weeks before any killingfrost), cut the canes back to approximately 12 inches• Immediately (within 20 to 30 seconds of cutting) dab thestumps with herbicide with water-soluble indicator dye:00 For upland areas use a 50% solution Garlon 3A®, or a50% to 100% solution of Roundup® (glyphosate withsurfactant)00 For areas within 100' of an aquatic resource use a50% - 100% solution of Rodeo® (glyphosate withoutsurfactant)00 Having one team member whose specific task is to dab onthe herbicide after another team member cuts the blackberrycane is recommended00 Use a Weed Wrench to hand-pull (see above) blackberriesadjacent to wetlands, streams, or other aquaticresources• Either properly dispose of the cut canes offsite, chip themwith a chipper, or pile them in a dry place for wildlife use—monitor piles for re-sprouting• It is imperative that the treated area be monitored for blackberryresprouts for at least two years after cutting and dabbing.If resprouts occur, either: use a Weed Wrench (see above)to pull the resprouts when the soil is moist (winter throughspring), or cut the resprouts and dab the stumps with herbicide(as above) in late summer/early fall• If the number of blackberry plants removed is sufficientto leave a large gap in the vegetation, the area should bereplanted with native plants. Planting in the late fall immediatelyafter removal work may be desirable. The plantingschedule will depend on the area, and must be determinedat the time of project planningBlackberries on steep slopes:Two methods are recommended for removing blackberriesgrowing on steep slopes: either cut the blackberry canes and dabthe stumps with herbicide in late summer/early fall, or hand-pullthe blackberries with a Weed Wrench when the soil is moistand loose (usually spring) (see above). The choice of methodwill depend on the potential for erosion of the steep slope, thedensity of native vegetation, season of project, and the availabilityof labor and other resources. See Cutting and Dabbing andHand-pulling sections above.If the number of blackberry plants removed is sufficient toleave a large gap in the vegetation, the area should be replantedwith native plants. Planting in the late fall immediately afterremoval work may be desirable. The planting schedule willdepend on the area, and must be determined at the time of projectplanning. Removing the cane cover of blackberry on a slopeshould not require additional erosion control methods as longas the soils are not greatly disturbed. If use of a Weed Wrenchresults in extensive disturbed soils, then placing thick layer ofarborist mulch around new plantings should suffice to hold thesoils in place. No mechanical (grading, disking, etc) removal ofblackberry crowns should be used on steep slopes.Scot’s broom (Cytisus scoparius)Scot’s broom (also called Scotch broom) grows in open dryupland areas—in meadows and along forest edges. Scot’s broomis shade-intolerant, so long-term control is linked to successfulestablishment of healthy native plant communities to shade itout. Scot’s broom provides some cover and refuge for wildlife,but its habitat function is not high. It produces large quantitiesof self-dispersed (up to 13 feet) and long-lived seed. Removalof large plants is labor intensive, but is important to keep the78