Weed free KNP

[Size 11]

Although I dont want too litter this part of the forum with subjects about the same locale.
I have noticed that the landscape is getting more barren on the northern side of the Snowy river where it flows in to Lake Jindabyne.
I was wondering if anyone knows, (or can give links too) the name of the tree/shrub, that the NPWS are eradicating.
These trees have thorns, and they also have orange/red berries that have seeds that I have seen in the scats of pigs.

Cheers Jez

[north-north-west]

Sounds like some sort of gorse.

[Dazza45]

Not sure of the name however another major risk that is facing many of Australias national parks is Myrtle Rust. It somehow slipped into our country after starting out in Brazil then through California and on through Hawaii. Host plants include many Australian natives including eucalypts and bottlebrush. It started out on the NSW central coast and has already made into the Gold Coast hinterland. There is no chance of eradication and any management programme is extremely difficult because of the terrain. Our quarantine system has failed once again.

[Size 11]

Sounds like some sort of gorse.

Yep, looked it up, and on the right track, however did'nt see a pic of it, I'm hoping to go there very soon and I'll bring back pics.
Cheers Jez

[Size 11]

I have looked at the subject a bit further, and although it resembles Gorse, the seed pods on the ones I'm talking about, look like rosehips.
There sure is a lot more species of noxious weeds out there than I thought, and they probably do more damage than introduced animals. These weeds are very hard too control, and spread very easily.
It's a shame that there's no money in bush regeneration, (like my brother found out).
It would be a top environment too work in, but priority lies with feeding the family.

[tastrax]

There is no money in weeds but lots of enthusiastic volunteers that just keep plugging away on the issue (in Tassie at least). Best thing is they keep coming back to the same patches to make sure that nothing re grows and from there they just keeping working their way out. Some great success stories.

[Size 11]

There is no money in weeds but lots of enthusiastic volunteers that just keep plugging away on the issue (in Tassie at least). Best thing is they keep coming back to the same patches to make sure that nothing re grows and from there they just keeping working their way out. Some great success stories.

G'day Tastrax,
Too true! I think by now they do it in every state. My brother did for a while, but the time factor comes into play, and sooner or later the devotion to do it soon fades away to other priorities.

[tastrax]

Down here we have found that it pays to get the contractors in for the first big hits on the weeds (with the support of volunteers), especially if its a big area. It has often been mapped by the volunteers in the first instance and they get the grants etc. Then the volunteers come back at the appropriate times after spraying to do the check on new growth and mapping the next infestations etc.

Its essential that the followup occurs and after a couple of years when there is less and less regrowth it can become as much a social occasion rather than a work occasion. That's the time to move onto new sites. In our case we are starting to move onto some offshore islands so that also adds some interest as well.

[johnw]

Down here we have found that it pays to get the contractors in for the first big hits on the weeds (with the support of volunteers), especially if its a big area. It has often been mapped by the volunteers in the first instance and they get the grants etc. Then the volunteers come back at the appropriate times after spraying to do the check on new growth and mapping the next infestations etc.

Its essential that the followup occurs and after a couple of years when there is less and less regrowth it can become as much a social occasion rather than a work occasion. That's the time to move onto new sites. In our case we are starting to move onto some offshore islands so that also adds some interest as well.

I've been a bush regeneration volunteer in the Blue Mountains for several years. Similar strategies I guess Phil. For example we may both treat and map infestations initially, ranger uses that info to apply for grants, gets in contractors, volunteers do follow up assessment/treatment and the cycle goes on. My interest strongly relates to bushwalking and I mainly do "remote" area trips. Some are not all that remote but can be off track, creek wading, rock hopping etc. We do get to some rarely visited spots at times which can be quite rewarding. But this is just one aspect of a much bigger picture of ongoing work. There are many very committed and enthusiastic local bushcare groups who run regular work days and have had tremendous success over the years. And I know there are plenty of other groups in NSW outside the Blue Mtns doing similar work, and likely in other mainland states/territories. Unfortunately it is a never ending task though. And some people up here are very keen. I was working at a site not long ago with a lady who had done one of the extended sea spurge trips in SW Tas. and was planning to go back again.

Back to the KNP weed, can't say what your weed is Jez but I do know that Orange Hawkweed has become a recent threat in parts of KNP. However yours is something different. Maybe either of these are possibilities?
Firethorn (Pyracantha spp.) http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&ibra=all&card=S25
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&ibra=all&card=T16

[Size 11]

Back to the KNP weed, can't say what your weed is Jez but I do know that Orange Hawkweed has become a recent threat in parts of KNP. However yours is something different. Maybe either of these are possibilities?
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&ibra=all&card=T16

I think this could be the culprit John, although the berries look different.
The leaf shape on some images of this plant, are very similar. Maybe it's a different species of Hawthorn.

[WarrenH]

Size 11, G'day.

From your first post, I think you might be asking about Firethorn (Pyracantha spp).

Warren.

[Size 11]

Size 11, G'day.

From your first post, I think you might be asking about Firethorn (Pyracantha spp).

Warren.

G'Day WarrenH
The leaves on the Firethorn look different.
Next time I go there I will have a better look at it. ( If there's anything left to look at)
NPWS are getting rid of it at an astonishing rate, considering the limited access to the place, and the abundance of it.

[WarrenH]

Size 11, you and John are right. It is Hawthorn.

The non profit organization 'Green Fleet' are working in the area, of Kalkite. They are re-establishing the natural vegetation there. They do a lot work for Snowy Hydro and National Parks. Did you see the small dozer, that's what they are using.

When the Kalkite site is better prepared, Green Fleet are going to reintroduce Black Sallees, Snow Gums and Mountain Grey Gums. They replant stock grown from seed collected from the immediate area.

Apparently Green Fleet do a lot of replanting of trees and to a lesser extent shrubs, in Kosci'. Green Fleet don't re-establish the native grasses, it is far too expensive.

I got this goss' one of the Rangers.

Warren.

Last edited by WarrenH on Thu 28 Jul, 2011 2:54 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[johnw]

Sounds like a good initiative Warren.

[Size 11]

Good too hear! 3 cheers for Green fleet, hip hip... hip hip... hip hip.
It sure does make the walk too Kalkite firetrail easier, although it looks quite bare.
Gotta be cruel to be kind i suppose.
Thanks for the info Warren, thats good news!

Cheers Jez

[Size 11]

Finally, i had the chance to go back and have a fish and do a bit of walking.
Pigs are still getting trapped, and the weeds are withered and dead.
Spoke to a ranger who was setting the traps and he informed me that their program was coming to an end in that area, but I think he was referring to the pig trapping as the weeds would be an on going thing i would imagine.
Anyway, here's the pics of the weed i wanted to know the name of. Maybe someone can make a possitive ID even though they are dead or dying.

Cheers Jez

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[Marwood]

I think it's the briar rose aka sweet briar (Rosa rubiginosa).

[Size 11]

Originally i was told that it was rose hip.So back to the start again, but it sure does look like Briar rose, then again so do the others.
Sure looks like the culprit. Marwood.
Cheers Jez

[juxtaposer]

Marwood is right. It is Sweet Briar. The name rosehip refers to the fruits, seen in the top picture. They're not dead either.