IPAs Take Action!
Despite some difficult winter weather, Invasive Plant Activists made massive progress freeing a series of mighty sycamores and smaller native trees and shrubs at Holcomb Farm in recent months. Twelve volunteers brought favorite tools and high energy to the task on February 12th (see picture) in the area between the horse corral and Simsbury Rd. There is more to be done there, including preserving the wildlife corridor among the trees. Granby’s next Invasive Action is April 9th – for more information, drop a note at https://GranbyInvasivePlants.weebly.com.
Now is the Right Time
Some of Granby’s worst invasive plants are visible and vulnerable in April and May. For biennials and those that start from seed, roots are young and their grip on the earth is not as firm as in later months. For vines and shrubs, spring is the time to cut them to the ground before they flower and set seeds that help them multiply. Details on specific plants can be found in the columns on this site, https://GranbyInvasivePlants.weebly.com. Do an internet search for CT’s Invasive Plant Management Calendar, an excellent month-by-month resource from the CT Invasive Plant Working Group, or download the 2 versions here: one-page and 50-page.
Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
An insidious little biennial, Garlic Mustard’s 3000+ seeds per plant allow it to rapidly carpet an area in green. Pull young plants carefully from the roots before they flower. Get the whole family involved, and try to pull every last plant – and plan to do it again next year, and the next, as seeds live in the soil for several years.
Asiatic Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)
This vine is most visible as a mature strangler, climbing and covering trees 30 feet high or more, and required loppers and saws. But the seeds distributed by birds (including those from the unfortunate holiday wreaths still in use), sprout all across the land and are easily pulled up by the roots when they are just twigs.
Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum)
Digging up mature Knotweed is tough, and risky because of the potential to distribute root particles, which easily reestablish. Spring is a great time to do the first of 3 annual cuttings, after Knotweed has leafed out but before they flower. Repeat twice before early September – and plan to do it for two more years -- to gradually exhaust the roots. It works! Check out the Nix the Knotweed campaign in southeast CT towns.
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
A relatively recent invader, Mugwort’s ability to proliferate has vaulted it to crisis status. In spring, individual plants and small clusters can be carefully pulled, getting all the roots, while they are still tender. Larger clusters need to be “solarized:” completely cover with plastic sheeting, well weighed down, for several months to cook the plants and their roots. Prepare to plant native alternatives after peeling back the plastic in late summer or early fall.
Multiflora Rose, Japanese Barberry, Autumn Olive (Rosa multiflora, Berberis thunbergia, Elaeagnus umbellata)
Spring is the time to pull or dig small plants before they get established. Older plants require repeated cutting to the ground for several years with sharp tools on long poles, as all three are designed to draw blood. For the very most entrenched examples, it may be necessary cut and carefully paint the stumps with herbicide, preferably in August / September when the downward flow of nutrients brings the poison down to the roots.
Go Native!
Along with the sources of native plants listed in February’s NOT WANTED column, the North Central CT Conservation District has native perennial plugs – sold in bulk – along with native trees, shrubs and perennial plants. Deadline for ordering is April 6th, with pickups later in the month in Bloomfield and Vernon. See https://conservect.org/northcentral/
NOT WANTED: Granby's Conservation Commission's campaign to educate about and take action on invasive plants