Awhile ago we had a number of non-native, large Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii) trees cut down to make way for our power lines to the new house at Struan Farm. The other reason John decided to take these down is because they self seed and are rampantly invasive, are designated a noxious weed in several countries. At Kai Iwi Lakes in the Kaipara District they have become a huge problem.
While we are happy to have an abundant supply of great firewood, the reason my father-in-law Maurie planted them in the first place, we can now see why they are noxious weeds:
Seedlings are sprouting out of control everywhere in the area where the trees were cut down. The stumps are also regrowing. EEEK!
So I'm adding control and clean up of all this to my list of work projects. I will try to pull the seedlings out and/or chop them off and use a poison gel to see if this will stop them. I'll also do some research, consult some experts about how best to get this under control. We definitely don't want them spreading into our QEII Trust covenant area nearby. And since the seeds remain in the soil for up to 30 years, this could become a long term project...
I'm thinking Black Wattle is the new barley grass....
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