Containment of Phragmites by mowing: was Re: [NatureNS] elephant grass

From: David & Alison Webster <dwebster@glinx.com>
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
References: <8C1727C5EFB2415FB13BBCC6E90A5241@DESKTOP>
Date: Sun, 01 Jul 2012 20:00:47 -0300
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Return-Path: <naturens-mml-owner@chebucto.ns.ca>
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Hi Lance & All,                    July 1, 2012
    My experience with containment of Phragmites by mowing differs from =
eradication of a stand by routine mowing in several respects.=20

    The perimeter of the two stands includes healthy dense lawn grass, =
spotty plant cover & formerly cultivated and thus largely bare soil. =
Even one mowing whenever convenient is overkill where grass is healthy =
and dense. The shoots that do come up are thin with few narrow leaves =
and rarely exceed 2' if left unmowed  Where competition is light, the =
first crop of shoots to emerge are as vigorous as those in the =
established colony and I try to mow them when relatively few shoots =
exceed knee height to ensure that rhizome reserves are not replenished =
by these new shoots. Usually the second crop of shoots is nearly as thin =
and weak as the first crop in sod but I try to mow these before =
extension growth has halted.=20

    In none of these perimeter areas is there thatch accumulation, as =
opposed to the 10-20 cm accumulation of decaying culms that one would =
find in an established stand, and the rhizome density in the perimeter =
2-3 metres is 1/5 to 1/10 as dense as under an established stand (I dug =
some established stand several years ago; very slowly).=20

    So even if an established stand is mowed at the optimum time there =
will be lots of potential shoot buds ready to replace them without =
delay. To kill an established stand by mowing, it would likely be =
necessary to keep mowing numerous times until the shoots became thin and =
weak and repeat for as many years as it takes.

    It is interesting that burning (which presumably removes much of the =
accumulated thatch of old culms) is effective. Could this expose the =
rhizomes to heaving injury ?

    Speckeled Alder can be killed by cutting in August but you have to =
be more determined than the Alder. The vigorous patch on a woods road =
that I have in mind kept coming back for about 10 years.
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Lance Laviolette=20
  To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca=20
  Sent: Sunday, July 01, 2012 9:18 AM
  Subject: RE: [NatureNS] elephant grass


  Hi David and everyone,

  =20

  Given Fred's information that Miscanthus giganteus is sterile and =
spreads only slowly be rhizomes then mowing should be a fairly effective =
control which further makes it a good target species to test carefully =
for biomass suitability in Nova Scotia. I say test carefully because =
there are certainly cases of supposed sterile garden plants that =
suddenly become quite fertile as if by magic. Sometimes profit has a =
nasty way of making people overlook unexpected behavior until it's too =
late.

  =20

  For the Eurasian subspecies of Phragmites that is firmly entrenched =
along roadsides in the Montreal area, I've seen no suggestion that =
mowing does anything except prevent the growth of small trees and shrubs =
that precede the succession to a woodland. The stands usually get cut =
twice a summer and they are showing no signs of diminishing.  Repeated =
burning appears to do the trick. I've seen burning used at one of the =
local DU marshes and one season of burning did have some effect.

  =20

  All the best,

  =20

  Lance

  =20

  =20

  From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca =
[mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] On Behalf Of David & Alison =
Webster
  Sent: June-29-12 6:11 PM
  To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
  Subject: Re: [NatureNS] elephant grass

  =20

  Hi Lance & All,                June 29, 2012

      Phragmites acts as a very effective trap for wind blown seeds such =
as Ash, Maple and no doubt conifers if there were trees within wind =
reach. Phragmites may well become a monoculture if it is growing where =
nothing else can but on other than marsh/swamp soils it will quickly =
become woodland if there are forest trees nearby. Mowing the perimeter =
twice a year, with a scythe, during the growing season prevents spread =
of Phragmites by rhizomes.

  =20

      Miscanthus would be planted on upland soils that can be mowed by =
machine in the spring so spreading off of the field should not be a =
problem, especially if there were a mowed perimeter (in the summer) =
where spreading seems to be a potential threat.

  =20

  Yt, Dave Webster, Kentville

  =20

  No virus found in this message.
  Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
  Version: 2012.0.2180 / Virus Database: 2437/5092 - Release Date: =
06/25/12

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<BODY lang=3DEN-CA link=3Dblue bgColor=3Dwhite vLink=3Dpurple>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>Hi Lance &amp; All,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; =
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; July 1,=20
2012</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; My experience with containment of =

Phragmites by mowing differs from eradication of a stand by routine =
mowing in=20
several respects. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The perimeter of the two stands =
includes=20
healthy dense lawn&nbsp;grass, spotty plant cover &amp; formerly =
cultivated and=20
thus largely bare soil. Even one mowing whenever convenient is overkill =
where=20
grass is healthy and dense. The shoots&nbsp;that do come up are thin =
with few=20
narrow leaves&nbsp;and&nbsp;rarely exceed&nbsp;2' if left unmowed&nbsp; =
Where=20
competition is light, the first crop of&nbsp;shoots to emerge are as =
vigorous as=20
those in the established colony and I try to mow them when relatively =
few shoots=20
exceed knee height to ensure that rhizome reserves are not replenished =
by these=20
new shoots. Usually&nbsp;the second&nbsp;crop of shoots&nbsp;is nearly =
as thin=20
and weak as the first crop in sod but I try to mow these before =
extension growth=20
has halted. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT><FONT size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In none of these perimeter areas =
is there=20
thatch accumulation, as opposed to the 10-20 cm accumulation of decaying =
culms=20
that one would find in an established stand, and the rhizome density in =
the=20
perimeter 2-3 metres is 1/5 to 1/10 as dense as under an established =
stand (I=20
dug some established stand several years ago; very =
slowly).&nbsp;</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; So&nbsp;even if an established =
stand is=20
mowed at the optimum time there will be lots of potential shoot buds =
ready to=20
replace them without delay. To kill an established stand by mowing, it =
would=20
likely be necessary to keep mowing numerous times until the shoots =
became thin=20
and weak and repeat for as many years as it takes.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It is interesting that burning =
(which=20
presumably removes much of the accumulated thatch of old culms) is =
effective.=20
Could this expose the rhizomes to heaving injury ?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Speckeled Alder can be killed by =
cutting in=20
August but you have to be more determined than the Alder. The vigorous =
patch on=20
a woods road that I have in mind kept coming back for about 10=20
years.</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE=20
style=3D"BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; =
PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"=20
dir=3Dltr>
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
  <DIV=20
  style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>=20
  <A title=3Dcorvuscorax@sympatico.ca =
href=3D"mailto:corvuscorax@sympatico.ca">Lance=20
  Laviolette</A> </DIV>
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A =
title=3Dnaturens@chebucto.ns.ca=20
  href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca">naturens@chebucto.ns.ca</A> =
</DIV>
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, July 01, 2012 =
9:18 AM</DIV>
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> RE: [NatureNS] =
elephant=20
  grass</DIV>
  <DIV><BR></DIV>
  <DIV class=3DWordSection1>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN=20
  style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; =
FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Hi=20
  David and everyone,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN=20
  style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; =
FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></SPAN></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN=20
  style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; =
FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Given=20
  Fred=92s information that <I>Miscanthus giganteus</I> is sterile and =
spreads=20
  only slowly be rhizomes then mowing should be a fairly effective =
control which=20
  further makes it a good target species to test carefully for biomass=20
  suitability in Nova Scotia. I say test carefully because there are =
certainly=20
  cases of supposed sterile garden plants that suddenly become quite =
fertile as=20
  if by magic. Sometimes profit has a nasty way of making people =
overlook=20
  unexpected behavior until it=92s too late.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN=20
  style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; =
FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></SPAN></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN=20
  style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; =
FONT-SIZE: 11pt">For=20
  the Eurasian subspecies of <I>Phragmites</I> that is firmly entrenched =
along=20
  roadsides in the Montreal area, I=92ve seen no suggestion that mowing =
does=20
  anything except prevent the growth of small trees and shrubs that =
precede the=20
  succession to a woodland. The stands usually get cut twice a summer =
and they=20
  are showing no signs of diminishing. &nbsp;Repeated burning appears to =
do the=20
  trick. I=92ve seen burning used at one of the local DU marshes and one =
season of=20
  burning did have some effect.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN=20
  style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; =
FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></SPAN></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN=20
  style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; =
FONT-SIZE: 11pt">All=20
  the best,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN=20
  style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; =
FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></SPAN></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN=20
  style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; =
FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Lance<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN=20
  style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; =
FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></SPAN></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN=20
  style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; =
FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></SPAN></P>
  <DIV>
  <DIV=20
  style=3D"BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; =
PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; PADDING-LEFT: 0cm; PADDING-RIGHT: 0cm; BORDER-TOP: =
#b5c4df 1pt solid; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 3pt">
  <P class=3DMsoNormal><B><SPAN=20
  style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"=20
  lang=3DEN-US>From:</SPAN></B><SPAN=20
  style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt" =
lang=3DEN-US>=20
  naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] =
<B>On=20
  Behalf Of </B>David &amp; Alison Webster<BR><B>Sent:</B> June-29-12 =
6:11=20
  PM<BR><B>To:</B> naturens@chebucto.ns.ca<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: =
[NatureNS]=20
  elephant grass<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></P>
  <DIV>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt" lang=3DEN-US>Hi =
Lance &amp;=20
  All,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; June 29, 2012</SPAN><SPAN=20
  lang=3DEN-US><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
  <DIV>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt" =
lang=3DEN-US>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
  Phragmites acts as a very effective trap for wind blown seeds such as =
Ash,=20
  Maple and no doubt conifers if there were trees within wind reach. =
Phragmites=20
  may well become a monoculture if it is growing where nothing else can =
but on=20
  other than marsh/swamp soils it will quickly become woodland if there =
are=20
  forest&nbsp;trees nearby. Mowing the perimeter twice a year, with a=20
  scythe,&nbsp;during the growing season&nbsp;prevents spread =
of&nbsp;Phragmites=20
  by rhizomes.</SPAN><SPAN lang=3DEN-US><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
  <DIV>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN =
lang=3DEN-US>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
  <DIV>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt" =
lang=3DEN-US>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
  Miscanthus would be planted on upland soils that can be mowed by =
machine in=20
  the spring so spreading off of the field should not be a problem, =
especially=20
  if there&nbsp;were a mowed perimeter (in the summer) where spreading =
seems to=20
  be a potential threat.</SPAN><SPAN =
lang=3DEN-US><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
  <DIV>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN =
lang=3DEN-US>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
  <DIV>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt" lang=3DEN-US>Yt, =
Dave Webster,=20
  Kentville</SPAN><SPAN lang=3DEN-US><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
  <P style=3D"mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"=20
  class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN =
lang=3DEN-US><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></SPAN></P></DIV><A></A>
  <P align=3Dleft color=3D"#000000" avgcert??>No virus found in this=20
  message.<BR>Checked by AVG - <A=20
  href=3D"http://www.avg.com">www.avg.com</A><BR>Version: 2012.0.2180 / =
Virus=20
  Database: 2437/5092 - Release Date: =
06/25/12</P></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>

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