This just in from Michael Courtney of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County. Since the lower part of the Woodland Valley Stream is plagued with knotweed I thought many of you would be interested.
Got Knotweed?
It’s big! It’s green! It’s overgrown! People with Japanese knotweed in their backyard or on a stream bank know how invasive this plant can be and how hard it is to get rid of. The volunteer stream stewards with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County are taking on this problematic plant by inviting residents to “Knotweed- Pull Day.” The event features a hands-on class on how to control Japanese knotweed at a knotweed demonstration site on the corner of Corner of Bridge St. and High St. in Phoenicia on Saturday, May 30th, from 9:30am to 12:30pm. The stewards are inviting you to bring in a pulled-up and bagged knotweed plant (get the entire root!) and you’ll receive a free native winterberry (holly) bush to plant (while supplies last). The class will cover cutting and digging, drying the cuttings, cases for herbicide application, and restoring native plants. Participants should come prepared to learn by doing. Bring workgloves, loppers and good shoes.
Why is knotweed a problem? Left unchecked, knotweed can take over large areas, crowding out native plants. Lose the native plants, and you also lose habitat for insects or birds that rely on native plants for reproduction or food. Knotweed also can increase erosion It grows bamboo-like stems which die off each year, wedging “holes” into streamside soils making them less stable.
“The stream stewards are especially reaching out to residents with knotweed in the upper parts of the hollows which are still relatively knotweed-free,” said Michael Courtney, Community Educator for Cooperative Extension’s Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program. “Since knotweed spreads downstream mainly by broken off pieces of the plant, eradicating the furthest upstream locations of knotweed will keep pristine downstream sections knotweed-free.” In areas like the Esopus where knotweed is already widespread, the strategy is mainly to contain colonies from spreading further and cut them back as best as you can.
The stream stewards strongly emphasize that before you decide to start cutting knotweed, have a plan for safely containing the cuttings! You need to bag and landfill it or dry it in a contained area and then burn it. Small pieces of root as small as a half inch can start a whole new colony! Call the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program for assistance if you need help with creating containers.
The knotweed control class is free and open to anyone. To RSVP or for more information contact Michael Courtney at (845) 688-3047 or mcc55@cornell.edu.
Calendar listing:
Got Knotweed? Knotweed Pull Day
Saturday, May 30, 9:30am 12:30pm
Phoenicia: Corner of Bridge St. and High St.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County will lead a hands-on class for residents on how to control invasive Japanese knotweed plants. Bring in a pulled-up and bagged knotweed plant (get all of the root!) and receive a free native winterberry (holly) bush to plant (while supplies last). FREE EVENT. RSVP to Michael Courtney at (845) 688-3047 or mcc55@cornell.edu. Bring work gloves, sturdy shoes, loppers and/or cutters
Michael Courtney
Extension Educator
Ashokan Basin Stream Management Plan
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County
10 Westbrook Lane
Kingston, NY 12401
email: mcc55@cornell.edu
Phone: 845.340.3990
Fax: 845.340.3993
CCE-Shandaken Office (no mail please)
6375 Rte 28 Phoenicia, NY
Phone: 845.688.3047
"If you're going to live by the river, make friends with the crocodile"
-Indian Proverb
